Local businesses welcome Durham Restaurant Week as “great initiative”

Businesses across Durham City have welcomed the return of Durham Restaurant Week, which will provide ‘bargain meals for foodies’.

Restaurant Week, which runs from Saturday, January 28 to Saturday, February 4, will see participating venues offer £5, £10, £15, £20 and £25 menus, with everything from a beer and burrito for £10 to three – course meals for just £20.

And businesses have welcomed the initiative, launched by the Durham BID company, to help “beat the January blues”, as well as attracting more people to the city and helping to offer cheap deals at a time when many are feeling the pinch.

Stuart Lloyd, general manager at The Radisson Blu, which features Collage Restaurant, which is taking part in the week, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many venues on board with Durham Restaurant Week. If ever there was a reason for foodies to travel to Durham and try something new, this is the week to take advantage of the many great deals on offer.

“We are participating with the aim of welcoming new locals to dinner at our riverside restaurant. We’re not just for hotel guests and we’re delighted that Restaurant Week gives us the opportunity to promote that to those in and around Durham.”

While Collage restaurant at The Radisson will offer two courses for £20 or two courses with a glass of house wine for £25, Coarse, the city’s new tasting menu restaurant offers diners a three-course lunch menu, with a snack and a glass. Prosecco or soft drink for just £20.

Co-owner of Coarse, which features in the Michelin Guide 2023 – Craig Lappin-Smith, said: “We only opened in September and it’s been phenomenal. We wanted to offer the food often associated with fine dining in a relaxed and informal environment at a relatively affordable price.”

Craig, who launched the business with former colleagues Ruari MacKay, Coarse’s head chef and front of house Gemma MacKay, added: “Restaurant Week is a great way to attract new people to come and experience what we have to offer .”

Paul Howard, manager of Durham BID, concluded: “We have a fantastic selection of venues taking part in Durham Restaurant Week. This is the second time the event has been held, and the first for us as a new BID team. From Marco Pierre White Restaurant to tapas, tacos and afternoon tea, visitors will be able to take their taste buds on a tour of what our city has to offer.”

Other venues that have signed up include Barrio Comida, Marco Pierre White, Spice Lounge, Tapas Factory, The Boat Club & Tomahawk Steak House, Turtle Bay, Revolution and many more.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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