LOCAL NEWS
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LEISURE & LIFESTYLE
What’s happening in and around East Durham
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...
As the year comes to a close, Dalton Park Shopping Outlet has reflected on some of the positive experiences from the last 12 months. Jerry Hatch, Centre Manager, has applauded staff, brand partners and shoppers for working together on everything from charity...
Residents in County Durham can now sign up for the Garden Waste Collection scheme for 2021. The first collection from the Durham County Council service takes place in late March or early April, followed by fortnightly collections until November when the season ends....
East Durham Business editor Leanne Fawcett visited Dalton Park’s only independent food outlet, Codrophenia, to see whether the fish and chip shop was worthy of a five-star review – or more Rotten Tomato… Fish and chips are about as quintessentially English as things...
A charity delivering independence and support throughout the North East has secured a £100,000 Covid-19 helping hand from a major community aid programme launched by Barclays. Supportive, based in Ferryhill, County Durham, has been chosen as one of Barclays’ UK...
Dalton Park is extending its opening hours to support retailers and give shoppers more time to get everything they need for Christmas. It will reopen on Wednesday 2nd December and stores will be able to operate until 7pm every week day up to and including Wednesday...
Paddington Bear and boxes of chocolates are among the gifts donated by a Peterlee care home to children in need this Christmas. Staff and residents at Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, on Manor Way, have put together two hampers of goodies for community project Santa’s Wish....
Auxillis has again stepped up to support insurer Admiral with its NHS and emergency service worker mobility scheme - providing a free courtesy vehicle if theirs is stolen, undriveable after an accident, or declared a total loss - keeping essential workers on the road...
Bears, jumper, shawls, and knitted dolls are among the items donated to a Peterlee care home by a knitting initiative. Knit for Peace UK donated the gifts to Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, on Manor Way, bringing smiles to the elderly residents. Derek Bestford, 57,...
Funding from believe housing has helped to get a vital project in Easington Colliery underway again after the coronavirus pandemic. The Café Together initiative was brought to an abrupt halt by Covid-19 restrictions earlier this year. Unable to carry on with its...
There are six new members joining the team at Dalton Park this winter as the centre announces surprising news of a reindeer adoption. Following the news that the Christmas launch event won't be going ahead this year due to Covid-19, and with reindeers being a...
County Durham-based believe housing is playing its part in tackling the threat of hunger during the coronavirus pandemic with food parcels to customers in need. The award-winning housing association is arranging for food parcels to be delivered to customers who are...
A new project aiming to make local neighbourhoods cleaner and greener is underway across County Durham. Launched by Durham County Council, Find and Fix involves the council and community working together to tackle a range of unsightly issues in the community such as...
East Durham's Wellbeing for Life team is offering free support to anyone aged over 16 who lives or works in County Durham. The team, based at Heathworks in Easington, offers help in areas including weight management, healthy eating, physical activity and mental health...
A new coastal community hub is set to be built at a County Durham tourist spot for residents and visitors to enjoy when taking a trip to the seaside. Working with the Heritage Coast Partnership, Durham County Council is investing £250,000 to attract £1.35 million...
Six landmarks across County Durham will be lit up in red next month to commemorate Remembrance Sunday. Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, many traditional services, parades and wreath laying ceremonies due to take place on 8 November have been cancelled....
With families across the UK facing stricter lockdown measures, online toy retailer Bargain Max recently launched a Halloween inspired competition for kids. In what has been a spooky and creative competition for youngsters across the UK, Bargain Max has now announced...
Businesses across County Durham are being reminded that they must comply with the latest coronavirus rules, or face action. It comes as another five venues across the county were issued with direction orders and told they must immediately close for failing to abide by...
A club and a caravan park in County Durham which failed to comply with the latest coronavirus restrictions have both been issued with direction orders. Action was taken against Crimdon Dene Caravan Park and Thornley Officials Club on Friday (9 October) following a...
A new 10-week wellbeing challenge aimed at people aged over 65 in the Easington GP area launches next week. Helix Arts’ regional Falling on your Feet programme is a dance and health initiative for older people to help increase their strength and balance to prevent...
A County Durham club has been issued with a direction order and told it must close immediately for failing to abide by the latest coronavirus restrictions. Durham County Council’s community protection team has taken swift action against Shotton Comrades Club, which...
A range of up to 20 classic British real ales will be available at The Five Quarter in Peterlee during its 17-day real ale festival. The pub in Hailsham Place will host the festival from Friday, October 9, to Sunday, October 25. The beers will cost £1.69 a pint. The...
McDonald's has officially re-opened at Dalton Park Shopping Outlet in Murton. And there's more good news for customers because as well as being able to benefit from drive thru and take away, at the Murton restaurant locals can now benefit from the introduction of the...
Three more household names are set to open at Dalton Park this autumn. Molton Brown, Lazy Jacks and Costa Coffee will join the outlet shopping centre, complementing the existing brands and enhancing guests’ shopping experience. The welcome news comes after Morrisons...
An initiative which aims to improve communities in County Durham by raising housing standards and management in the private renting sector has received backing by senior council members and two MPs. Durham County Council’s proposals to introduce a selective licensing...
A Peterlee pub is to cut the price of all food and drink by 7.5 per cent on Thursday, September 24. The Five Quarter in Hailsham Place is supporting Tax Equality Day, aimed at highlighting the benefit of a permanent VAT reduction in the hospitality industry. The...
Historian and author Jane Gulliford Lowes brings the wartime experiences of a young Seaham Harbour airman and his family to life in her new book. Above Us The Stars tells the story of Jane’s great -uncle, “Bomber Boy” Jack Clyde, a 20-year-old wireless operator. Jack...
A local running club is calling on people to continue to keep fit and active after seeing a rise in numbers post-lockdown. Peterlee Running Club, which was formed in 2013 by trained coach David Ferguson, is open to people of all ages and running abilities and meets...
Beautiful gardens and floral displays across County Durham are vying for the public’s vote this month. Entries for the Garden Treasures contest are now closed and now members of the public are being called on to help choose the winners. Organised by Durham County...
Three exceptional North East tourism businesses represented the region at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2020 last night, where they took home a host of awards and secured their position as some of the finest examples of tourism businesses in the country. The...
Three outstanding North East tourism businesses have been shortlisted in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2020, an event that champions the very best of the country’s tourism industry and celebrates quality, innovation and best practice. Seahouses bed and...
1Life has announced that it will be re-opening Peterlee Leisure Centre today, Monday, July 27, with Seaham anticipated to follow on August 10. Following advice and guidance from the Government as well as the fitness trade body ukactive and there independent scientific...
Play parks across County Durham have reopened as part of the nationwide easing of lockdown restrictions. Durham County Council is undertaking individual risk assessments on all 175 of its children’s play parks and is working hard to reopen these valued facilities as...
Keen gardeners across East Durham are being invited to take part in a photography competition to share how outside spaces have helped them through the coronavirus pandemic. Durham County Council’s civic pride team is calling on residents to show off the green spaces...