Wear Business Wear Business Issue 1 | Page 45

Chester-le-Street news CURRYLIFE GONG FOR LE RAAJ Miller Homes opens new development M iller Homes have opened the first phase of their new residential development of the Lambton Estate. The new five-bedroom Oak showroom at Lambton Park, Chester-le-Street, is now open for viewings following its official reveal by Miller Homes’ chief executive Chris Endsor. The development, designed by renowned architect and interior designer Ben Pentreath, will comprise 106 three, four and five-bedroom homes along with one, two and three-bedroom apartments on Lambton Estate. And similar to the exterior of the homes, the interior is in keeping with the Lambton Estate's heritage, which dates back to the 11th century, and has been designed by North East interior designer Graeme Fuller. Miller Homes’ chief executive Chris Endsor said: “We are delighted to be the first homebuilder involved in creating a new landmark residential community at Lambton Park. “Our development will perfectly complement the wider vision for the iconic estate as a highly desirable location to live, work and visit. This is a truly unique setting and will be an outstanding place for anyone to call home.” Patrick Arkle, regional managing director at Miller Homes North East, added: “The Oak show home is a celebration of Lambton Estate. It has been carefully designed to balance the estate’s heritage with modern day living in this stunning part of the region. “Opening its doors was an important milestone in the journey of the new community we are creating as part of the estate’s exciting next chapter.” INVESTMENT IN £720K BUSES Award for ground- breaking charity Bus operator Go North East has rolled out three new £720,000 state-of-the-art environmentally friendly buses for its X30 route. Built at the Alexander Dennis factory in Scarborough, the premium brand X-lines join the routes in Consett, Catchgate, Annfield Plain, Stanley, Sunniside, Whickham, Dunston and Newcastle. All mod cons on the new vehicles includes comfortable luxury seating with mobile phone holders, free wi-fi, upper deck tables with wireless charging pads and at-seat USB charging points. A groundbreaking Chester-Le-Street charity has been recognised at a major North East awards night. Shirley Smith, co-founder of the If U Care Share Foundation, was presented with the Community Champion Award at the Chronicle Champions Awards 2019 at The Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park, Newcastle. If U Care Share Foundation was set up by Shirley and her family 14 years ago after her son Daniel O’Hare took his own life at the age of 19, without warning. He had no previous history of mental health problems nor had he shown any outward signs of his intentions. Le Raaj restaurant has picked up prestigious recognition at a recent awards night. The nine-year-old restaurant at Chester Moor won best restaurant category for County Durham at the CurryLife Awards at the Hotel Hilton on Park Lane in London, attended by more than 800 people. The restaurant opened in 2010 and underwent a major refurbishment in 2018. “I am really passionate about food and love being a restaurateur,” said owner Rezwan Ahmed. “I don't think you can succeed in this market without giving it everything you've got.” New B&M store part of development plans Multi-million pound plans have been announced to redevelop an abandoned site on the outskirts of Chester-le-Street. The development on Pelton Fell Road is west of the existing Tesco supermarket and the railway viaduct in the town centre. The developers, Imopro SA, is seeking to develop the site to include a new retail unit for B&M Home Store with 1,858 sq m floorspace. The Newcastle office of national planning and development consultancy Lichfields have been appointed to take forward the plans and they will carry out a public consultation event in 2020. The site will also feature 67 parking spaces, hard and soft landscaping, and separate accesses from Pelton Fell Road for customer and service vehicles. wear.business – the voice of business for the Wear region | 45