On their marriage certificate James Smith is a blacksmith and his father a spring maker.
Still hunting, thanks for the reply, if you have any other ideas, please let me know, I need all the help I can get

Lisa
What was James Smith's occupation on the 1911 census, not a publican I take it, or you would have mentioned that. 
I've had a look at the 1890 Kelly's directory for Durham, pages of pubs, but no Aitkin listed as publican