LOCAL NEWS
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What’s happening in and around East Durham
Critically-acclaimed live theatre, high profile stand-up performances and family fun are just some of the components making up an eclectic season of shows this spring at Gala Durham. The Durham City venue, which is operated by Durham County Council, opens its new...
Tackling climate change and raising the region’s reputation as a cultural destination are just some examples of effective partnership work in County Durham, councillors will hear next week. Durham County Council’s Cabinet will receive an update on the activities of...
A strong performance during 2021 has led to the creation of 26 new jobs at the North East’s biggest outlet shopping centre. Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination saw like-for-like sales increase by 13% against the same period in 2019, despite hugely challenging...
Organisers at a County Durham theatre have hailed the success of its recent Christmas pantomime, and are already looking forward to entertaining audiences once again next December. Durham County Council’s Gala Durham production of The Adventures of Robin Hood has come...
Residents across County Durham can have their say on the future of local library services. Durham County Council held the last review of the county’s library service in 2012. In recent years society has experienced massive digital and technological advancements and as...
The NHS App, launched just over three years ago, on 31 December 2018, now has over 22 million users and is one of the UK’s most downloaded apps. More than 22 million NHS App users (over 18 million registrations since the NHS COVID Pass was added on 17 May) The NHS App...
Work to revitalise a medieval castle in County Durham has won a regional award. Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland, is one of the most significant complexes of medieval buildings in England. As a favoured residence of the bishops of Durham for at least 800 years, it...
Changes to a County Durham archive will mark the beginning of an exciting new era for the service, as it prepares to move to a vibrant new local history centre. From January 2022, Durham County Record Office’s search room will temporarily close to visitors to allow...
Housing and regeneration specialist – Vistry Partnerships North East – is developing a reputation for projects in the care sector. They will deliver over 400 homes, specifically designed for the over 55’s, those with age related care needs and younger people requiring...
A North East council has won a national award for its work on a pilot project which helps buyers custom build their own homes. Durham County Council has been working with Custom Build Homes to develop nine serviced plots at the new Trinity Mews development on the...
With pantomime season in full swing, two County Durham theatre venues are providing accessible performances of their Christmas shows, so that all audiences can share in the festive fun. Since late-November, Gala Durham and Consett’s Empire Theatre have been hosting...
Traders are being invited to apply for a stand at one of the region’s most popular food festivals ahead of its return next spring. Durham County Council has confirmed Bishop Auckland Food Festival will take place on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 April next year. This...
You know that the festive season has well and truly arrived when temperatures are going down and lights are going up! Plus, of course, the return of Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé and co to the airwaves. The pandemic is still making headlines, but virtual or otherwise,...
Prince Bishops Place is full of festive cheer this season with visits to Father Christmas, a children’s Christmas trail and a magical pedal powered tree! Plus the centre is raising funds for Treetops Children’s Ward at the University Hospital of North Durham....
A scheme which aims to drive up standards across County Durham’s private rented housing sector has been approved by the government. Durham County Council has been successful in applying for a large-scale selective licensing scheme, requiring all private landlords to...
Durham Deafened Support (DDS) has been given an early Christmas present with a further funding boost. The Horden-based charity has received an award from the National Lottery Community Fund to enable it to continue the valuable support that it provides to those with...
Plans for a new restaurant, offering diners an affordable six-course tasting menu using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, have been unveiled. Coarse will be based in the heart of Durham city centre and will open in the new year. Ruari Mackay, former chef at...
Supporting those affected by Storm Arwen is a key priority for the North East’s largest council. The storm, which brought gale force winds, heavy rain and heavy snow over the weekend, saw many households lose power, roads forced to close, and damage caused to housing...
Prince Bishops Place is excited to reveal their upcoming plans for the festive season! Prince Bishops will be filled with festive cheer as they not only welcome Father Christmas to the centre, but also a magical pedal powered Christmas tree and a fun children’s trail....
Are you hosting a staff Christmas party this year? After a compulsory virtual affair in 2020, and almost two years of pandemic related ifs and buts for events, a Christmas get-together could be just what’s needed to reunite your team. If your workforce has been...
Crimestoppers and retailers are urging shoppers across the North East to #ShopKind when they visit local high streets this Christmas, as new national polling reveals that over one third of shoppers (38%) have witnessed violence and abuse against shopworkers. With at...
The Countdown to Christmas is on and from this weekend, you can visit Santa Claus at Castle Dene Shopping Centre in Peterlee. From Sunday, and then every Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 4pm until Christmas, you can pop down and meet The Big Man. No booking is...
Primary school pupils across County Durham have started spreading early Christmas cheer amongst their international peers. As part of an annual festive project, Durham County Council has brought together more than 300 schools from 19 different countries to help...
Prince Bishops Place is delighted to welcome Elvet and Bailey’s Handmade Christmas to the centre. The new venture is the second shop from the people behind Elvet & Bailey and specialises in locally produced, Christmas themed gifts. All products stocked are...
A brand new eatery has opened its doors at Dalton Park and is already welcoming guests in with a tempting range of hot and cold drinks, a delicious brunch menu, tasty artisan cakes and authentic Italian Gelato. Etto Caffé is part of the Massarella Catering Group, a...
A Peterlee pub has won acclaim for the quality and standards of its toilets – in the Loo of the Year Awards 2021. The Five Quarter in Hailsham Place has been awarded a platinum rating by inspectors. The awards are aimed at highlighting and improving standards of 'away...
East Durham Creates is working together with Durham University on an innovative new project which connects a former mining village in East Durham to thousands of years of history in the university’s collection. As we emerged from lockdown in 2020 local arts engagement...
Families can take a trip through ‘Sherburn Forest’ to find a heroic outlaw and his band of merry men and women, as a County Durham venue’s annual festive panto returns to the stage. Gala Durham will be bringing back its popular family Christmas panto from next month,...
Plans to develop a passenger rail service from Weardale to Darlington are to be further considered thanks to £50,000 funding. Durham County Council and The Auckland Project have been successful in applying for the grant from the Department for Transport’s Restoring...
Parks across County Durham have been handed Green Flag Awards after being kept in tip top shape during the past year. The awards recognise excellence and good practice in the management and development of parks and open spaces. Ranging from parks to cemeteries, to...
The North East’s largest outlet centre Dalton Park has officially unveiled a new interactive wishing well, a modern way to raise funds for the shopping destination’s chosen charity. Long-time Dalton Park visitors may remember a wishing well from a few years back where...
Residents are being asked to have their say on plans to transform County Durham’s leisure facilities. As part of Durham County Council’s £78 million Leisure Transformation Plan, there are plans for three new state of the art leisure centres and a full programme of...
More people are being urged to consider becoming foster carers to help make a difference to the lives of children across County Durham. Durham County Council has launched an appeal to recruit more carers for children with additional needs and disabilities. This could...
Since returning to college at the end of August, I’ve been at a constant battle with my mental health. Mainly my anxiety. This is due to me having to make new friends after my friends from last year have now moved on with their lives and have jobs or are going to...
Seaham Hall Serenity Spa Review by Leanne Fawcett for East Durham Business magazine... Nearly two years after my last visit to the wonderful Seaham Hall Hotel – a real gem in the North East’s crown - because of the coronavirus pandemic, it was with open arms and...
People across County Durham and beyond came to Bishop Auckland to celebrate all things food, when a popular festival returned at the weekend with extra flavour. Thousands of people attended this year’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival, laid on by Durham County Council,...
It might only be October but next weekend Christmas is coming to East Durham Garden Centre. On Sunday, October 9, the centre will officially launch its festive displays, with decorations, trees and gifts all available to buy. The incredible Christmas displays are...
The bravery, ingenuity and determination of County Durham individuals is being commemorated in a series of new blue plaques. From a renowned astronomer, to the women who risked their lives working in a munition factory – the plaques celebrate those whose achievements...
The UK is currently in need of more than 8,500 foster homes for children and young people. Current world events could see this number drastically increase over the next year. Following the results of a recent report, a regional fostering organisation is encouraging...
In a bid to drive health and happiness, Durham County Council has launching its biggest ever campaign to get people moving to benefit their physical health and mental wellbeing. Whether people are used to being active or are just starting out, the new Move campaign...
Greggs has reappointed retail marketing and branded payments provider Redu Retail to lead its Corporate Gift Card provision. The agreement marks the continuation of a collaborative partnership intended to facilitate further growth for the UK’s leading bakery food...
A Peterlee pub is to cut the price of all food and drink by 7.5 per cent on Thursday, September 23 - to highlight the benefit of a permanent VAT reduction in the hospitality industry. Prices at The Five Quarter in Hailsham Place will be reduced for one day only to...
Cineworld’s seven-screen multiplex cinema is celebrating five years at the North East’s biggest outlet centre with balloons, cakes, competitions and birthday treats for visitors. Cineworld opened its doors at Dalton Park on September 9th 2016 with a gala night Ben Hur...
Turtle Bay, the popular Caribbean restaurant and bar group, is holding auditions for jobs at its new Durham venue. Work is underway on a two-storey 4850 sq ft restaurant at The Riverwalk Durham and Turtle Bay hopes to recruit up to 50 people before opening its doors...
Community groups across County Durham have the opportunity of winning 2,000 bulbs to brighten up their area. Green-fingered champions across each of Durham County Council’s 14 Area Action Partnerships (AAPs) are in with a chance of securing the floral treats for their...
From bug hunting, basketball, den building and dancing, children across County Durham have been taking part in fun activities thanks to a summer holiday programme. Summer holiday activities are being supported by Durham County Council’s Area Action Partnerships...
Tomorrow (August 19), I will be celebrating my 18th birthday. An age that is supposed to mean the start of adulthood and becoming independent. In the past couple of years, I have learnt a great deal about my condition. What I have learnt has made me revaluate the...
North East entrepreneur Keith Gill, one of the founders of the snack brand Phileas Fogg, has written his memoirs, detailing his life and career spanning five decades. The memoirs are in two parts. Taking It Head On: Memoirs of a County Durham Miner’s Son is Part 1 and...
County Durham’s foodies made the most of the sunshine and showers to enjoy this year’s Seaham Food Festival. Thousands of people visited the Durham County Council festival over the weekend to support independent traders, boost business recovery and enjoy two days of...
Bellway Durham is delivering 250 homes from its flagship Artisan Collection at a new development in Wingate. The developer is building a mix of two, three and four-bedroom detached, semi-detached and terrace houses at Wellfield Rise in the village. All 250 properties...
Visitors are encouraged to plan their journeys to Seaham Food Festival in advance this weekend as the event makes its welcome return to the County Durham coastline. There’s a full menu on offer at the free Durham County Council festival, with around 100 traders,...
Network Rail is warning people in Durham of the dangers of trespassing after a third of British adults admit they would step onto the track to retrieve their mobile phone. It comes as hocking new survey1 results have revealed that a third of British adults are...
A specialist energy efficiency team from Durham County Council along with others from across Europe met online to share ideas of best practice to support SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises). Representatives from the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Germany, Finland, Slovenia,...
Vital community support programmes, halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, can now return safely thanks to funding from a local housing association. Residents in east Durham, with a particular focus on Blackhall Rocks, Deneside in Seaham, Shotton Colliery, Wheatley...
Councillors and stakeholders are to be given the opportunity to contribute to a review of the future of a treasured regimental collection. Durham County Council is holding a meeting next week at which its members and invited interested parties will be given the chance...
Family entertainment, street theatre and music have been added to the menu for the return of a County Durham food festival next month. Seaham Food Festival, which is taking place in just three weeks, has a full line-up of entertainment planned in addition to the...
A fun-filled summer awaits County Durham youngsters with more than 100 free activities with healthy food lined up for the school holidays. Following on from successful schemes over Easter and spring half-term, the Fun and Food programme will return this summer to...
Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination is the first in the North East to achieve a prestigious accreditation for its well-managed, high quality car park. The North East’s largest outlet centre already held the renowned Park Mark accreditation, a coveted national...
A pioneering approach to engaging communities across County Durham in the area’s rich and varied history has received a £1.2 million boost. Durham County Council has secured the grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver a five-year programme of...
Durham-based hospitality specialist Ramside Estates is the latest North East business to offer a financial donation to the not-for-profit, Open North Foundation. While much of the hospitality sector has been ravaged over the last 15 months by the covid-19 pandemic,...
Communications and design consultancy LEC has been confirmed as the new kit sponsor of the Norton and Stockton Ancients Girls’ Under 10s football team. The firm, which was founded by managing director Leanne Fawcett in 2012, has agreed an annual package which has...
THE LICENSING ACT 2003 Notice is hereby given that We, Acre Rigg Social Club, have applied to the Durham County Council in respect of the premises known as ACRE RIGG SOCIAL CLUB LOWHILLS ROAD PETERLEE SR8 2DW To vary a Premises Licence to permit the following proposed...
People in and around Durham City are being asked to play their part in slowing the spread of coronavirus following a significant rise in cases. Durham County Council, Durham University and Public Health England (PHE) have teamed up to make the plea to anyone who...
When lockdown first hit in March, I naively thought that it would only last about three weeks. But two months in, these high hopes of freedom slowly decreased, and my mental state started to plummet. My anxiety was at an all-time high and I did not think we would ever...
More than 100 new affordable homes have been completed in one Epast Durham town after investment by a multi-award-winning housing association. Three brownfield sites in Peterlee have been transformed by County Durham-based believe housing to create 108 new homes. A...
Gateshead-based family business Beckleberry’s has diversified its business in response to the challenges it faced during lockdown. Prior to the pandemic, Beckleberry’s was quite literally a high-flying ice cream, sorbet, flan, tart, and patisserie provider - an...
Weird and wonderful sculptures inspired by children’s book characters have gone on display at a popular County Durham park. Talented artist and sculptor Graeme Hopper, who is from Crook, has created two new welcome additions for Sedgefield’s Hardwick Park. The new...
Virtual cookery demonstrations, arts and crafts sessions and fun ideas to try at home are just some of the free activities on offer for County Durham families this half-term. Durham County Council’s Fun and Food programme provides activities with healthy food during...
An amazing selfie experience is heading to Dalton Park this summer, as lockdown restrictions start to ease. Three vibrant and immersive pop-up sets with dazzling neons, gorgeous rainbows and funky florals as well as a grand piano will be at the North East’s largest...
County Durham residents can return to their indoor fitness classes from Monday (17 May). Durham County Council is restarting its indoor fitness programme, in line with Step 3 of the government’s roadmap, following the reopening of its gyms and swimming pools last...
A leading North East charity has launched a new befriending research project to target mental health needs across the region. Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), a health and wellbeing charity, are underway creating a befriending focused insight that will engage with...
A busy County Durham community centre is looking smart as it prepares to welcome local people back, thanks to a four-figure grant from a regional employer. As part of ensuring that it had enough room to continue running educational activities for a local special needs...
Since re-opening on Monday, April 12, Dalton Park Shopping Outlet has been giving away £25 gift cards every week. This is the popular shopping destination's final week. To end on a high the Dalton Park management team are doubling the number of prizes up for grabs and...
Visitors to County Durham’s coastline are being encouraged to help protect the local environment as more people hit the beach. Durham County Council is asking everyone to follow the new Countryside Code, which has recently been updated to allow people to enjoy the...
Businesses across East Durham have enjoyed their first week back in operation, following the lifting or further coronavirus restrictions which mean pubs and restaurants can now serve guests outdoors. Restaurants including Luciano Bar and Bistro (pictured) are among...
After months of preparations Dalton Park has today welcomed shoppers back, in line with the latest easing of the government’s lockdown restrictions. It’s huge canopies have had a professional clean and the mall seating has been reinstalled to give shoppers a place to...
Staff at leisure centres across County Durham are working hard to prepare sites for re-opening to the public from Monday, April 12. The centres will initially open with gym, swim and outdoor fitness facilities available, while the indoor fitness class programme is...
Bellway has released the first properties for sale at a new housing development in Wingate which will eventually deliver 250 homes for the local area. The first phase at Wellfield Rise, which comprises 90 homes off Wellfield Road, launched on Thursday 1 April. The...
A popular County Durham pub will unveil its new look to guests when leisure venues re-open on Monday, April 12. The Avenue pub in Shincliffe, Durham, will share its new outdoor space following a £1m investment. The pub has benefited from a collaborative project by...
A free food festival is set to return to a County Durham seaside town this year with measures in place to keep people safe. Subject to coronavirus restrictions, Seaham Food Festival will take place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 August. This will be followed by Bishop...
Bellway is to release the first properties for sale at a new housing development in Wingate which will eventually deliver 250 homes for the local area. The first phase at Wellfield Rise, which comprises 90 homes off Wellfield Road, will launch on Thursday 1 April. The...
In a new series of blogs for the ‘Lifestyle and Leisure’ section, Lucy Wood from Peterlee shares her experiences of living life with Multiple Sclerosis and the challenges the condition has presented to her from diagnosis at the age of five. Growing up, MS has had a...
Vacant buildings that have blighted a County Durham village for years can now be demolished and replaced with high quality homes thanks to a £6 million investment. Durham County Council has allocated £4.5 million from its Towns and Villages Investment Plan for a major...
The rich heritage of a County Durham seaside town is being enhanced through the regeneration of historical buildings and the launch of a new app. Durham County Council launched the Seaham Townscape Heritage Project in 2019 after it secured £1.6 million from the...
The locations of three new state-of-the-art leisure centres in County Durham have been agreed this morning (Wednesday). Durham County Council’s Cabinet has approved the preferred sites in Seaham, Chester-le-Street and Bishop Auckland, which will support the county’s...
Free keep-fit, language tasters and the story of how a former Bishop Auckland pupil has used her language skills to advise US Presidents are all part of an exciting line-up at a regional language festival this month. Schools, families and communities can enjoy a host...
A North East council is proposing to introduce free town centre parking after 2pm as part of a package of measures to support residents and businesses in the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Durham County Council’s Cabinet will next week be recommended...
Picnic hampers full of delicious homemade treats were delivered to key workers by staff and residents at a Peterlee care home. Over a hundred sweet and savoury snacks were sent out by those living and working at Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, on Manor Way, for Random Act...
A Hartlepool opticians is set to expand its offering to become a dedicated hearing hub, providing enhanced audiology services to customers. Staff at Specsavers in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre offer a range of hearing services including, hearing tests, hearing aid...
Family historians can gain top tips on how to discover their ancestors’ military past at an online talk this week. Durham County Record Office, which is run by Durham County Council, is continuing its successful Branching Out programme with an archivist-led talk about...
Construction work on a new £10.4 million state-of-the-art bus station in the heart of Durham City has started. Workers started on site on Monday, with the current bus station closing to passengers and temporary stops being put in place close by. The new station has...
Residents in County Durham still have time to apply for this year’s garden waste scheme and get all 17 collections during 2021. The first collection from the Durham County Council service takes place in late March or early April, followed by fortnightly collections...
A north east funding programme that supports community groups including food banks, sports clubs and mental health projects has passed a major milestone. Believe Housing’s Community Investment Programme has awarded £150,000 of grants in the last nine months. More than...
A giant wolf, a story online and a call for people to make their own artwork – Wild About Winter is coming your way! Wild about Winter is a new project with artists and local people in East Durham, led by The Barn at Easington, running now until the end of April and...
Rail passengers in the North East will soon benefit from a better, more reliable rail service as a major project to modernise signalling continues. The huge upgrade is part of a multi-million-pound project on the Durham Coast line in the Billingham/Stockton area,...
Horse owner Jayne McGowan is making a heartfelt plea to people in the East Durham area to stop feeding the animals. It comes as figures show the number of deaths in horses since lockdown started has risen, with stories in the national media suggesting this is due to...
Two local charities have come together to help people improve and manage their mental health. Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery, Hartlepool and East Durham Mind are working in partnership with East Durham Trust to offer help and support as well as encourage...
Work to create a modern and vibrant new bus station for Durham City is set to press ahead after a multi-million pound funding package was approved. The North East Joint Transport Committee (JTC) has allocated £3.6million towards the overall £10.4m scheme following a...
Seaham Hall Hotel is increasing its presence in the community by announcing a new partnership to support Peterlee-based charity East Durham Trust. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the national lockdown last year, the five-star hotel has been...
The UK’s largest opticians and audiologists, Specsavers, will stay open for all eye and hearing needs now most of the country is in lockdown. Under current government guidance, people are allowed to leave home to attend medical appointments, including eye and hearing...
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has today (Tuesday) announced a £4.6bn of support for companies affected by last night's national lockdown announcement made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Leisure and retail venues can access up to £9,000 per business, depending on the...
Hundreds of pubs across County Durham which have been affected by local and national coronavirus restrictions are being encouraged to apply for the latest Government support grant. ‘Wet-led pubs’, or those which predominantly serve alcohol rather than food, are...
