HTW-STORY2B-290824- Durham Restaurant Week

I spoke to two restaurants taking part in restaurant week.

Transcript

00:00Durham BID is a business improvement district who aim to help strengthen and build the city's economy.

00:05They often commission lots of events happening in Durham.

00:08I spoke with individuals in the hospitality sector taking part in restaurant week.

00:12We've been selling sandwiches in Durham for 32 years.

00:16So we know what we're doing there. We kind of do other things.

00:19We do a lot of outside catering for officers parties.

00:22We kind of came through Covid.

00:25Once that was a little bit of a distant memory, then things are picking up again.

00:29I asked Tony what his thoughts were on restaurant week.

00:32Yeah, it brings people in.

00:34People who wouldn't normally come into the city are coming in.

00:39We've noticed a big change in the footfall recently.

00:43Yeah, it's certainly helped.

00:46Traditionally, it's slightly quieter time of year.

00:49I think parents are kind of spent up.

00:51So a little bit of helps go a long way, I think.

00:54There are over 40 restaurants taking part in Durham restaurant week this year.

00:58The business opened in June 2021.

01:00So we've been open for just over three years.

01:02So the venue is part of the Riverwalk and it's just off the Franwell Gate Bridge in the city of Durham.

01:07Obviously, since Covid, the whole hospitality sector has been up and down.

01:11But we've noticed a gradual rise in custom and people are eating and drinking out a lot more.

01:15I think what's really special about the Curious Mr Fox is the different rooms we've got.

01:19So we've got a premium cocktail bar.

01:22We've got a lovely restaurant.

01:24The Ivy Room, which is very like garden themed and it's very neon and all available to hire.

01:30And we do loads of different events.

01:32And with Restaurant Week, people that wouldn't normally come to us get our experience and see that.

01:37And then they come and take part.

01:39So it's really beneficial for our business.

01:41Restaurant Week really affects our business because it brings a lot of people to the area that wouldn't normally come.

01:45So people from all around the Northeast get the experience.

01:48Restaurant Week is a really imperative to the Durham hospitality economy.

01:51Because the collaboration between all the businesses really benefits each other.

01:55And we're all kind of working in tandem to increase the trade and hospitality in the city.