Placemaking Programme Report - Darlington

Millington, Steven ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5143-3074 and Barratt, Joe (2022) Placemaking Programme Report - Darlington. Project Report. High Streets Task Force.

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Abstract

Darlington and the High Streets Task Force (HSTF) began working together following an expert UYPP visit in February 2022. Based on discussions with the Council, the subsequent Unlocking Your Place Potential Report outlined how the Task Force could provide further support for Darlington. Although the existing vision for the town centre is to be commended, the desk research revealed the aspirations for involving and supporting business and the economy could be clearer, and there was a need to build further on Darlington’s existing strengths and unique attributes. Consequently, the High Streets Task Force expert identified the need to diversify the town’s offer and experience – identifying Reinventing as the main barrier to transformation in Darlington. Reinventing entails developing a programme of activity to increase footfall and spend through interventions that attract either a wider range of residents or encourage other visitors, to visit and stay longer in the centre. This could include events, festivals, pop-up retail, reuse of vacant shops, and basic improvements to the appearance of the town centre. New activity could also be used to trial products or services that would both diversify the local offer and begin to adapt the centre to meet the needs of future users. To help places tackle reinvention, the Taskforce offers the Placemaking Workshop, developed and delivered by the IPM, which is designed to bring together key stakeholders to identify the challenges and opportunities for their high street and to agree short term and long-term priorities which can be the focus of a placemaking action plan to ensure its future sustainability.