The Art Shop in Darlington closes for the final time

Owners of The Art Shop, Ian and Lynda Hughes, are stepping away from the business, which has been part of the town for nearly eight decades, to retire.

The store’s shutters were brought down after the final orders were taken, and Ian and Lynda shut up shop at 4pm on Saturday (June 28).

The Art Shop closed for the final time. (Image: The Northern Echo) Ian, who started working in his father’s shop when he was 13, said earlier this month: “The internet hasn’t closed the shop, it’s just me – I’m 70!”

“We feel pleased to retire, but we feel sorry we are letting customers down – we’ve had some lovely customers, and we have had thousands of great messages since the announcement.”

Image: The Northern Echo

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Ian and Lynda are looking forward to spending time with their grandchildren, and Ian has said he wants to do more cycling in his spare time.

As for The Art Shop’s building located on Bondgate in the town centre, it has been listed for sale with offers invited in the region of £265,000.

Estate agents Carver Commercial are handling the sale of the three-storey property, which has been held under the same ownership for decades.