Logo of Crombies restaurant cafe bar

Darlington's Traditional
Restaurant & Café Bar


Fully Licensed - Open 9.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Saturday
36-44 Tubwell Row Darlington - Tel: 01325 464475
Home page of Crombies restaurant Menu examples from Crombies restaurant Interesting history about Crombies restaurant Art displayed at Crombies restaurant Links to other interesting web sites

© Copyright 2006-2009
Crombies Restaurant
& Café Bar

Artistic addition puts cafe in spotlight

A Darlington café owner has installed some colourful representations of the town's landmark buildings to brighten his business.

Frederick Stehr, owner of Crombies, one of the town centre's oldest established businesses, has bought a series of commissioned watercolour paintings to display in the café. Painting of the town clock in Darlington town centre

Each painting features a landmark building in the area. They are mounted around the premises in relation to each site's geographical location. Diners can stand and look at a painting of the market hall clock while viewing the real towering timepiece through a window.

Mr. Stehr, who has run the 70 year old business since the late 70's, hopes the paintings will help attract people not only to his café but the town centre as well. All of the paintings, by architectural artist, Ian Fennelly, were commissioned by Darlington art gallery Gallerina, in Duke Street.

Mr. Fennelly, who has captured landmarks of major European cities, including the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, also painted St. Cuthbert's Church, Darlington Civic Theatre, the old town hall and the market square.

Mr. Stehr has the pictures of these local landmarks, predominently in oranges and yellows, on display , with each illuminated. He said,

"I have put the pictures in more or less a spot where the buildings are."

The old town hall itself has attracted a lot of interest, particularly from older customers who recall politicians' speeches from the building's balcony. Mr Stehr, who is also a member of Darlington Chamber of Trade, is particularlly pleased with the responses he has had to the pictures from the public.

"They start talking about them and see Darlington in a different light,"

he said.

"When I saw them, I was extremely excited to be able to put these pictures up, not just for myself, but also for the customers and the public at large."
"It's exciting to do something different, because when you are in catering it can become very monotonous, but now I can show the public some local history."

See more of the Darlington landmark paintings.