(Image: STUART BOULTON)
Starbucks has opened its new drive-thru on the A66 near Darlington, just 600m from a branch it shut last year.
The coffee chain opened the doors to its newly built site at the Ivanhoe Service Station, on the A66 Westbound, on September 11.
The new site, which is located beside the BP garage, has created 10 new jobs and follows months of construction work by the major road.
Construction on the new Starbucks drive-thru off the A66 (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
The new Starbucks on the A66 near Long Newton. (Image: STUART BOULTON)
The new location is just 600m away from its former branch at the old Akbar Dynasty, which suddenly closed in October 2025.
A spokesperson for the firm said: “We can confirm our new drive-thru at Darlington on the A66 opened on Friday, September 11, creating 10 new jobs and bringing the Starbucks experience to more people in the area and those passing through on their travels.”
The new coffee shop has an airy interior fitted out with woods and a warm colour scheme.
The new Starbucks on the A66 near Long Newton. (Image: STUART BOULTON)
The surprising news that Starbucks was opening just metres from where it closed last year was revealed when plans were lodged with Darlington Borough Council earlier this year.
Starbucks had only been based at the roadside restaurant near Sadberge for 15 months when it closed after a “regular review” of its portfolio.
The new Starbucks on the A66 near Long Newton. (Image: STUART BOULTON)
The site was put up for sale earlier this year, along with additional land for development.
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A former Starbucks on the A66 (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Before its short spell serving coffee, the former site operated as a Little Chef between the mid 1980s and 2001 before being taken over by Akbar Dynasty.
The well-known curry house had its licence revoked in April 2021 due to employing illegal workers. It then later became Indian restaurant Tulip from 2022 to 2023.
Starbucks has a string of locations across the region, including at Faverdale in Darlington, Preston Farm in Stockton and in Newton Aycliffe.