Food, spas and more

Good morning, Durham! Can you believe we’re in mid-January already? Not long until spring!

In today’s newsletter:

• Durham Restaurant Week

• A boost for Co Durham cultural regeneration

• Durham Fringe Festival

• Beamish confirmed as top attraction (again)

• The best spas in Co Durham

• And much more!

Let’s get to it.

— Stephen Davies

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Durham Restaurant Week set to delight foodies this month

Good news for foodies as Durham Restaurant Week returns from 26th January to 2nd February. Organised by Durham Business Improvement District, this delectable week promises to spice up the city's food scene with over 30 local eateries participating. Enjoy a variety of meal deals ranging from £5 to £25, featuring discounts and special offers from top dining destinations, including Michelin Guide-recommended restaurants. Don’t miss this chance to experience the Durham food scene! Get the details.

@DURHAMSCOOP

📸 @kate_lg | 📍 Beamish Museum

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THE DIGEST 

Durham Women FC lead valiant effort against Manchester City in FA Women's Cup 🔵⚪️

In an inspiring display of grit and skill, Durham Women FC faced a challenging opponent in the higher league Manchester City in yesterday’s FA Women's Cup fourth-round match. Despite the final scoreline of 4-0 win by City, Durham's performance was nothing short of valiant. A record attendance at Durham’s Maiden Castle. Read more.

Gladiator reboot stars local rugby hero

County Durham's own Alex Gray, the former Newcastle Falcons star, is set to become a household name as Apollo in the BBC's reboot of the legendary 90s show, Gladiators. This Bishop Auckland native, known for his rugby and NFL career, is taking on a new challenge in the primetime spotlight. The show, known for its combative competitions and charismatic personalities, returned to BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday. Read more.

Beamish Museum: A top UK attraction in 2024 🏆

It will come as no surprise to those who live here but Beamish Museum has been named one of the UK's must-visit attractions for 2024 by The Guardian. This year, the museum proudly unveils its largest expansion to date, featuring a meticulously recreated 1950s town and an enhanced Georgian exhibit. Highlights include the Grand cinema, a vintage hairdresser, a traditional fish and chip shop, and an 1820s tavern. Plus, for the first time, Beamish offers an immersive overnight stay experience in authentic farm buildings and cottages. More here.

Major boost for Durham's culture and regeneration

In a landmark move for local culture and regeneration, County Durham has secured a £1.25 million Place Partnership grant from Arts Council England. This funding will spearhead the £7.2 million Into the Light programme, a collaborative venture between Durham County Council, the Culture Durham Partnership, and Durham University.

Set to launch this year, the programme aims to enrich the county with world-class events and community-led activities. Following its nomination for UK City of Culture, and with tourism contributing over £1 billion to the economy in 2022, Durham is poised to enhance its reputation as "The Culture County." Read more.

Bishop Aukland named a “comeback town”

A tribute to the town's significant transformation and driven by the ambitious Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland has redefined itself from its historical coal-mining roots to a cultural and tourist hub.

The i newspaper has named it a “comeback town” and it’s easy to understand why. With the Auckland Tower and its stunning town views, the Mining Art Gallery highlighting coal miners' lives, and the beautifully refurbished Auckland Castle, encircled by a serene deer park, Bishop Auckland is the comeback kid. Read more.

DURHAM WEATHER

It's a chilly checkerboard of clear skies and cloud cover, with temperatures flirting with the frosty side. Time to wrap up warm and enjoy the crisp, clear days!

Monday, 15th: Max Temp: 0°C 🌡️ Min Temp: -2°C | 🌤️ Partly Cloudy

Tuesday, 16th: Max Temp: 3°C 🌡️ Min Temp: -3°C | 🌥️ Cloudy changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime

Wednesday, 17th: Max Temp: 1°C 🌡️ Min Temp: -3°C | ☀️ Clear

Thursday, 18th: Max Temp: 2°C 🌡️ Min Temp: -2°C | ☀️ Clear changing to cloudy by early evening

Friday, 19th: Max Temp: 4°C 🌡️ Min Temp: 0°C | ☀️ Clear changing to partly cloudy by early evening

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Hit the stage at Durham Fringe Festival 2024

Seize your spotlight at Durham Fringe Festival 2024! Born from the passion of Durham's locals and businesses, this grassroots festival is a celebration of eclectic talents and artistic flair. Now in its fourth year, the festival is calling all performers – from seasoned pros to emerging stars – to take part in the event. Apply before 17th February at durhamfringe.co.uk and play a part in the burgeoning arts in Durham City this year.

Discover the ultimate spa experience in County Durham 🧘‍♀️

Our latest feature takes you through the finest spas in the region, where relaxation and indulgence await. From serene countryside havens to plush urban retreats, each spa offers a unique experience that combines modern luxury with timeless elegance.

Highlights from Our Top Picks:

• Rockliffe Hall Spa in Darlington

• Ramside Spa in Durham

• Redworth Hall Spa, a Jacobean manor house in Newton Aycliffe

• Serenity Spa, a coastal retreat in Seaham

• The Garage Spa, in Greta Bridge

• Headlam Hall Spa near Darlington, a countryside oasis

• The Manor Spa at The Manor House Hotel in West Auckland

• NUSPA Durham in the heart of Durham City

Whether you're planning a solo retreat, a romantic getaway, or a special celebration, these spas in County Durham will relax and rejuvenate. Read more

DURHAM BUSINESS NEWS

'Level Up' business event at Durham Cricket Club 🏏

Join a panel of business leaders at Durham Cricket Club for an insightful event on regional talent attraction and growth. Starting at 9:30 am on 25th January, the 'Level Up' event, hosted in the Castle View Suite, offers a stunning view of the historic pitch and a platform for crucial discussions on business development in the North East.

Expect engaging conversations led by experts from organisations like BP, Durham County Council, and the North East Chamber of Commerce. A VIP keynote will also be speaking, making it an opportunity for professionals seeking to contribute to regional growth. Secure your free ticket at bit.ly/levelupdurham

Master SEO at the Radisson Blu

Durham Business is running a ‘Getting ahead with SEO' workshop at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Durham City on 31st January from 9 am to 12:30 pm. Perfect for businesses aiming to leverage search engine opportunities, this session covers SEO basics, keyword research, on-page optimisation, technical SEO, and link-building strategies. Use this chance to transform your digital presence and get found in search. More info.

EXTRA SPRINKLES

• Durham solar farm approved amid controversy (link)

• Potential multimillion-pound makeover for Horden village (link)

• Seaham Hall gets a rave review in Women’s Health magazine (link)

• The Guardian covers the Raby Castle renaissance profiling the owners (link)

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

• Forum Theatre, Billingham - Luther Live (Luther Vandross celebration) - Thursday 18th, 7:30 pm (tickets)

• Rainton Arena - Whitney Queen Of The Night - Friday 19th, 6 pm (tickets)

• The White Room, Stanley - The Celia Bryce Band - Friday 19th, 7:45 pm (tickets)

• The Fire Station - Ruby Turner - Friday 19th, 7 pm (tickets)

• Black Horse, Chester-le Street - Hope City Rockers - Friday 19th, 9 pm (more)

• The Grand, Bishop Aukland - The Button Band - Saturday 20th, 9 pm (more)

• The Forum, Darlington - Total Stone Roses - Saturday 20th, 8:30 pm (tickets)

• The Fire Station - Teddy Thompson - Sunday 21st, 7:30 pm (tickets)

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Durham Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who enjoys the occasional spa pampering.

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