A family who lost over thirty relatives in an earthquake that struck Turkey earlier this year have begun a new chapter in their lives as they prepare to open a brand-new restaurant in County Durham.
Suleyman Yildirim and his wife, Gemma Yildirim, opened the doors to The Blue Bell in Stanley yesterday (August 26) as a Turkish restaurant and bar after an extensive five-week renovation.
The couple, with help from their family and friends, have rejuvenated the pub from a shell following its closure in 2020 into what will be a buzzing business serving traditional Turkish food.
Read more: Stanley man helped people during quakes after losing over 30 family
Diners will be able to try everything from the sprawling menu including Turkish Bread to the Tepsi Kebab – a special dish brought to the restaurant from Hatay, which is the family’s home region.
This opening comes just over six months after the family was hit with tragedy when a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Turkey, taking the lives of thirty-five of their family and friends who lived there.
For Suleyman, getting to this point has been a “long time coming” after fifteen years of dreaming of being able to run their own venue.
He said: “Since February it has been an emotional rollercoaster for all of us; we lost so many people from my family.
“It has taken a massive toll on us. To help at the time we started a campaign to fundraise and send money across to Hatay.
“I don’t know how to explain it, it was devastating.”
Following the disaster, Suleyman, 39, travelled to Turkey with his nephews Fuat, 35, who also lives in Stanley and Ozcan, 36, who lives in York.
The family were then caught up in not only the first earthquake that hit, but the following tremors measuring 6.4 in magnitude as they helped bring people to safety and joined in with rescue efforts.
Now six months on as they all begin this new chapter, Suleyman spoke of his emotions leading up to the moment where they can finally open their newest business.
He said: “I’m feeling just so excited about opening. We are so proud of ourselves and everyone around us who has helped us on our journey.
“We want this place to be a busy community hub. Before it closed, it was the place to be. We want it to be like that again.
“I have butterflies in my stomach thinking about it.”
Suleyman’s wife Gemma echoed her husband's words, stating the whole family is “very proud” of what they have achieved in the renovation in such a short time.
She also explained that ongoing earthquakes are still having a detrimental impact on Turkey and its citizens.
Read next:
- Stanley man learned cousin died in Turkey earthquake on Facebook
- Turkey: Stanley men on mission for family after losing 18 members
The latest news states that Turkey was hit with a 4.8 magnitude earthquake on Thursday morning (August 24), less than 24 hours after a 4.3 magnitude quake rocked the country.
Gemma said: “There are people in Turkey still living in tents even now. They are just struggling to live at all.
“Re-building is also impossible as the earthquakes have just never stopped.”
Pictures from inside the new restaurant show the building has gone through a huge transformation, whilst still retaining original features and stone fireplaces.
The restaurant has also retained hidden carved mice across the furniture that were said to be easter eggs for former customers to find whilst popping in for a pint.
Suleyman, Gemma and the rest of the team will be joined by daughters Jade, 21, Leyla, 13 and Ayla, 9 and balloon arches now sit inside the venue in front of the lit-up bar with perfectly laid tables as the team welcomes its first diners.
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