I wouldn't recommend doing what you're proposing - the area is shady, the drainage will be poor because of the paving, and the gravel or whatever you use, in those conditions, will become algal ridden, so after a winter, it may well look greenish and black in parts, or just generally 'dirty' looking. If the shade is created by overhanging trees, trying to remove wet leaves from gravel or stones is a nightmare task too.

If the paving is broken would you consider planting shade loving ground cover in the cracks? This would be lower maintenance in the long run than trying to keep gravel looking good. Is it an area you walk on much?

As it's already paved how about pressure washing the slabs and then putting in some nice pots with shade tolerant plants. Perhaps you could add a mirror to reflect some light and paint walls/fences in bright colours. All a lot cheaper than gravel.

As far as the weed suppressant membrane expect weeds to grow on top of it instead of underneath it. Gravel will look good the first year like decorative mulch does in the garden and then it will dull and disappear with weed growth and debris falling from trees.Bamboo, Streagram and Urbanite collectively have given you some very good advice.

I tried this and found white gravel was green within 18 months and all the associated issues Bamboo is describing.

in any case if you didn't lift the slabs and leave a deression with a boarder all the way round the gravel will migrate showing the membrane .

I agree with all the above comments,It would be a waste of time,money and effort..Pressure washing would be the better option.If you don't have one,maybe someone you know,could lend you one? or,I think they are available to hire ,but not altogether certain about that...good luck..

You can hire a washer from about £30. You can buy them for anything from about £60 up to a couple of hundred.

you could cement the area and sprinkle gravel into the wet cement and leave areas for planting etc . slabs could be broken up for footings .

I agree with above comments. I would pressure wash and put pots with huecheras in as they don't mind shade.

Thank you for all the helpful advice and hints,I think I will open the area up a bit as suggested and try a few plants as ones you recommend seem good. I may take up a few pavings and plant in them, give the others a jet . Thanks again

your welcome .