Construction – Tolent buildings are
rejuvenating the city centre, with work
given to local contractors including Finley
Structures and Wyn Construction.
development will include 153 luxury
apartments, 600 car park spaces, 230,000 sq
ft office space, 60,000 sq ft retail and leisure
space and a 450,000 sq ft mixed-use scheme.
The first phase will feature luxury
accommodation with floor-to-ceiling windows
offering breath-taking views across the city
which will be available to rent towards the end
of 2021.
The One Milburngate offices will also be
ready to occupy next year and be followed
by a second phase of office development
comprising a further 177,000 sq ft of space.
Mark Fox – owner of the Durham Sausage
Company, based within The Food Pit.
RECOVERY ON
MENU AT FOOD PIT
On the other side of Leazes Road bridge, Riverwalk is fighting back
from lockdown, boosted by the Eat Out to Help Out campaign.
This breezy new addition to the city lunchtime and nightlife, with
its unbeatable backdrop from the banks of the river to Durham Cathedral and
Castle, was just starting to find its feet when Covid-19 hit.
But Riverwalk's recovery looks promising as Durham's residents and
visitors return to the streets and hit its shops, bars and restaurants.
The August half-price early week offer coincided with the reopening of The
Food Pit to the delight of businesses in the new street-food inspired location
overlooking the banks of the Wear.
Mark Fox revealed the Durham Sausage Company when The Food Pit
opened in November. As well as making his family recipe sausages on-site, he
has now added Durham Burgers to the portfolio in the next-door unit.
Mark said: “The timing of the Eat Out scheme made a big difference and
saved our lives really. The Riverwalk is becoming more of a thoroughfare and
I think we are seeing more people coming in here regularly.
“The sausages were doing OK and then Covid hit and we needed more
business. Taking on the burgers has helped us diversify and they have been a
really popular and important addition.”
As well as Durham Sausage & Burger Company, The Food Pit also houses
Bubble Waffle Society, the Greek Kitchen, Fresco Durham, Manao Thai, the
Fat Chicken and Food Pit Bar.
Clare Hall was inspired by a visit before bravely opening the Bubble Waffle
Society. The air hostess from Peterlee noticed a sweet-tooth gap in the place
and, after researching street-food deserts, invented an Asian-inspired bubble
waffle filled with ice cream.
Clare said: “I practised for weeks and perfected the recipe and then it was a
question of trying it out here.
“It has really taken off on Instagram and exceeded all my expectations. I
have taken on more staff, although I haven't let anyone else try the recipe yet.”
Three more names will be added to the competition in Riverwalk soon
when El Pincho, which serves up tapas, Greek and Moroccan food, pancake
cafe Flip & Stack and Irish-themed bar Delaney's Donkey open their doors.
Riverwalk has now fully reopened following lockdown, including Odeon
Cinema, Thai River, Biz R Coffee House, Old Tom’s Gin Bar and Cosy Club,
quickly established as a welcome addition to Durham's ever-increasing
meeting, greeting and eating ensemble.
wear.business – the voice of business for the Wear region | 29