A number of new shops have opened in Durham City Centre Pictures: JIM SCOTT SHOPPERS across the North-East now have at least five more retailers to add to their list as a number of new names have appeared in Durham City. Ahead of the festive period, empty shop units have been transformed into bright and bustling stores and the majority of them are set to stay for good. A pop-up gin and vodka store and an independent clothing retailer are among the impressive names that have moved into the city in the past four weeks. The recent wave of openings has since been hailed as proof that the city is a good place to do business, despite recent closures.