(Image: Barrie McDermid)
Lanchester Food Week returns this month, giving residents a chance to celebrate and support the County Durham village’s independent pubs, restaurants and takeaways.
The County Durham village's second Food Week will start this Saturday (October 24) and run until October 31, with a wide range of the village's favourite food vendors taking part through deals and events .
Participants include the King’s Head, Grandpa’s Fish Bar, The Golden Valley Chinese takeaway, Hanley & Sons butchers, Lanchester Methodist Church and Lanchester Community Centre.
Organiser Barrie McDermid hopes the event will encourage locals to appreciate small businesses in their area. (Image: Barrie McDermid)
Grandpa's Fish Bar is a fan favourite among County Durham locals, attracting a large social media following and recognition from the English Fish and Chip Awards earlier this year.
Events across the village will include a food festival at the community centre, discounts in a number of local shops, and live music at Crinnion’s Pub.
The community centre was unable to take part last year, but organiser Barrie McDermid said its committee was keen to be involved this time.
Lanchester Community Centre’s opening food festival will feature stalls from local vendors and music from Lee Harrison. Burnopfield’s Woodcrest Kitchen and The Bake House from Shotley Bridge will have stalls.
The full vendor list is on the Lanchester Food Week Facebook page.
Businesses involved include pubs alongside local butchers, greengrocers and the community centre. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
The Gallery Coffee Shop is among the businesses offering deals, including a large coffee and cake for £5.50 during Food Week.
Even businesses not related to food and drink were keen to get involved, with Ged Peaden, owner of the local hardware store and MK Print & Design teaming up to erect a banner promoting this year’s celebrations, which was funded by the parish council.
Crinnion’s will host a Saturday night event featuring performers including Barrie McDermid, who will perform alongside his daughter.
Mr McDermid, who is also on the village's parish council, said: "Lanchester is quite a unique village, insofar as all the main businesses are small independents.
"We've got a Spar, we've got a Premier, but fundamentally all the businesses are small local independents.
"I personally think it's important to encourage that."
The event was inspired by food weeks in Durham and Newcastle and first ran last year. Organisers said it boosted interest and trading for participating businesses.
McDermid added: "We've got some amazing restaurants in the village, amazing takeaways.
"Last year I just thought, wouldn't it be a great idea? We've got Durham, got Newcastle having their food weeks. Why can't we do our own?"
Lanchester Food Week's debut last year was widely popular with locals. (Image: Barrie McDermid)
All businesses that took part in the 2025 Food Week were keen to return, Mr McDermid said, alongside newcomer Pip Café, which opened in summer 2026.
Organisers hope Food Week becomes an annual fixture supporting independent businesses and bringing residents together.
Mr McDermid said residents had praised the planned events on social media and urged more businesses to get involved.
He added: "They do value the businesses.
"I think it's one of those things, if you live in Lanchester, you are quite proud. You realise how special a place it is."
The programme will help residents eat locally, meet others and support village businesses. More information is on the Lanchester Food Week Facebook page.