Several exciting new businesses have opened in Durham City recently – take a look at them below.

Durham Market Hall is home to more than 40 independent businesses after a series of recent openings.

The hall is also currently at 100 percent occupancy, further boosting what the city has to offer.

Graham Soult, who runs the Gateshead-based retail consultancy CannyInsight.com and manages the Indie Durham City project, said that Durham Market Hall “consistently manages to offer such a fantastic mix of new and established independent businesses.”

And despite the struggles experienced by many indoor markets and high streets, eight new businesses have opened in Durham City Centre in recent months.

Here are eight new businesses recently opened in Durham City:

  • Bookwyrm

The Northern Echo: Picture: GRAHAM SOULTPicture: GRAHAM SOULT (Image: Picture: GRAHAM SOULT)

This business opened in July this year and is an LGBTQ+ focused independent bookshop, specialising in indie authors and small press.

  • H&H Cakery

This business opened in early August offers a cake stall with delicious Turkish savoury treats and cakes to take away, as well as custom cakes to order.

Read more: County Durham baby from Chilton near Aycliffe diagnosed with cancer

  • Canny Kandy Corner

Canny Kandy Corner is a traditional sweet shop, which is now under new ownership of well-established Durham toy and gift shop Bear Bottom.

  • Sharp Turkish Barbers

A traditional, family-run, authentic Turkish Barbers.

The Northern Echo: Silver Street, Durham Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTSilver Street, Durham Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

  • Plant Man Durham

This is a long established Durham business that recently expanded in March with a new flower stall.

  • Upcycle Me

Upcycle Me is a business that specialises in handmade products made from discarded or damaged goods, including costume jewellery, keyrings, trinkets and much more

  • QuirkshopUK

The Northern Echo: Picture: GRAHAM SOULTPicture: GRAHAM SOULT (Image: Picture: GRAHAM SOULT)

After 12-years of trading online, vintage retailer QuirkshopUK opened its new bricks-and-mortar shop in April.

The business offers designer and branded clothing and accessories for women, men and kids, with quality items in stock for every budget, age, size and style.

  • Coarse Restaurant

The Northern Echo: Picture: GRAHAM SOULTPicture: GRAHAM SOULT (Image: Picture: GRAHAM SOULT)

A new independent tasting menu restaurant Coarse secured premises in Reform Place, just off North Road and opened earlier this month on September 15.

The restaurant's planned opening was featured in The Northern Echo in November last year here

The Riverwalk is also a scheme that continues to bring new businesses to the city.

Mr Soult said: “The Riverwalk scheme continues to cement its position as a prime pitch for leisure and dining in Durham, with Pizza Punks and independent cake and coffee shop Maple Patisserie among the businesses that have opened in recent months. TGI Fridays is also still on track to open later this year, with signage also now in place for Brazilian-style bar and grill Estabulo.

The Northern Echo: Silver Street, Durham Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTSilver Street, Durham Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Silver Street, Durham Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

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“September has also seen the opening at Riverwalk of independent bookshop Collected, after successfully trading throughout 2022 as a mobile bookshop in Durham Market Place.

"Collected combines a specialism in women’s works with delicious coffee and cake, and will be hosting regular author events instore – a great example of how retail is becoming more experiential and interesting!”

The Northern Echo: Estabulo in Durham Picture: GRAHAM SOULTEstabulo in Durham Picture: GRAHAM SOULT (Image: Estabulo in Durham Picture: GRAHAM SOULT)

Walkergate has also seen new businesses in recent months with the opening of Rio Brazilian Steakhouse and Lane7 as well as Bohemia.

Mr Soult added: “Brilliant independent retailers like Moon Jewellery, Discovering Durham and Elvet & Bailey show what is possible, and I would encourage any business considering trading in the city to make contact with me, so that I can signpost the support and opportunities that are available via the Parish Council-funded Indie Durham City project and encourage them on their journey.”

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