", In the meantime, Mr Rea-Dobson's mum, Anna, says she is seeing fewer and fewer people come through her cafe's door, although a loyal base of older regulars is keeping her going. While the council has bid for a £25m slice of a government fund to help struggling high streets, it's aware that Mr Ruffer's investment is on a scale that no local authority could match. The farmer has become an unlikely internet hit after the BBC News interview where he claimed that Johnson should be in jail for the lies he has told. BBC News will be following the progress of Bishop Auckland's town centre this year as part of the #BBCMyHighStreet project. BBC News General Election 2010, full results for Bishop Auckland Kynren is now a top UK attraction on TripAdvisor. Ground News - Bishop Auckland MP goes viral after 'hilarious' BBC News appearance Video, 00:01:42. Do you have a story about your local high street which we should cover? Video, 00:00:35Hundreds at funeral for teen killed in Myanmar protests, Haircut in The Hague after lockdown. John Emerson, a sheep farmer from Bishop Auckland, tore into Boris Johnson for lying and said the PM should be sent to jail or sued. Northern Ireland. Luca Rea-Dobson - a scaffolder who helps his mother Anna run the "proper cafe" - says the businessman's presence is a "blessing". But he volunteered to take part anyway. "You get a lot of people complaining that it's not happened overnight," he says. © 2021 BBC. UK election. There are now 61 vacant units - more than half of which have sat empty for more than three years. Two historical murders that happened in County Durham will feature on a BBC TV show. the Church of England chose to sell the town's most famous paintings. By 2017, the big names were stampeding to the exit. Video, 00:04:51Is the party over for free wi-fi in cafes? It made him rich, too. "I'm a drain-pipe - whatever comes in at the top, leaves the bottom," he adds cryptically. Enter your postcode to see news and information near you. The dramatic changes over the last ten years are illustrated by interactive map below, which uses figures on openings and closures collected by the Local Data Company. The new shops are not hipster boutiques - one of the cafes is a '50s-themed coffee shop which sells cream teas. Audio, A tricky new accent for Daniel Radcliffe. Africa. In the town, heavy industry is dominant but declining. Email myhighstreet@bbc.co.uk, 'You're opening up something that was abandoned' Video, 00:02:08'You're opening up something that was abandoned', Up Next. Outside the town of Bishop Auckland, the seat’s two chief industries remain farming and tourism. Results. Europe. After three years of extensive renovations, the 900-year-old castle re-opened to the public last year. ... Bishop Auckland, DL14 6JZ Tel: 01388 443000. Video, 00:01:55What happens when a virus mutates? Police respond to stolen quad bikes and blatant Covid breaches in rural area. By Harriet Agerholm, Emma Simpson & Daniele PalumboBBC News. You can still buy Clarks shoes online - or drive 20 minutes to Durham. So instead of trying to hang on to the big national retailers, the council is counting on Bishop Auckland attracting tourists who will visit local independent shops. Nicknamed 'The Bishops' or 'The Two Blues', they are rivals with West Auckland Town.. Mike Bartley, from Bishop Auckland, decided to apply for the BBC show after being encouraged by friends and family who were impressed by his food. "Consumer habits have changed," he says. Like other towns, it's going to have to adapt to survive, though it's lucky to have a rich heritage and historical assets to make the most of. He's taking the plunge in Bishop Auckland, where he thinks local entrepreneurs like himself are the only ones who can be trusted to save a high street that's in steep decline. Dehenna Davison, MP for Bishop Auckland, said she had felt a "burning sense of injustice" at the "lenient" sentence given in her father's case. "There's businesses going all the time.". Then Mr Ruffer, who describes himself as "quite Goddy", decided to give most of his fortune away. Film by Sarah Corker, David Cheeseman and Dougal Shaw. How can Gordon help revive restaurants? BBC News: Election 2010 BBC News. The gradual demise of the industry in the latter half of the last century brought with it decades of economic decline. Video, 00:02:04The sea intruder causing havoc in Tasmania, SpaceX ship lands safely... then explodes. Bishop Auckland: 'My dream cafe to revive high street', 'You're opening up something that was abandoned' Video, 00:02:08, 'You're opening up something that was abandoned', Up Next. But the avid art collector decided to intervene when the Church of England chose to sell the town's most famous paintings that hung in Auckland Castle. Video, 00:01:39, Is the party over for free wi-fi in cafes? So how much money is the businessman willing to spend? BBC in Bishop Auckland yesterday running Vox Pops all day, some Live, accordingly this didn’t make the cut for their piece later on the 10pm news. Bishop Auckland, with its 25,000 residents, used to be the heart of coal-mining country. Scotland. After many years working at a car plant in Sunderland, Martin Wiseman decided to take a gamble. He bought the set of portraits by the Spanish master Francisco de Zurbaran. Bishop Auckland News. The cafe where everything is £1. Video, 00:03:58, Celebrating the world's largest female afro. Please rate this website. Now, half-packed cardboard boxes are strewn across the deserted shop floor. Parties and issues. Some new businesses have opened in recent years, with the number of cafes increasing. AudioHow can Gordon help revive restaurants? Video, 00:02:44, Celebrating the world's largest female afro, The sea intruder causing havoc in Tasmania. The reporter appeared pretty surprised when the … © 2021 BBC. Asked whether farmers were supportive of Brexit, he said that “one or two” were, before claiming that “the … Recently, a BBC interview with a farmer from the north-eastern town of Bishop Auckland has gone viral across social media. Celebrating the world's largest female afro. "It's what I hang on to, really," she says. The deteriorating centre - its shop windows smeared with white paint - tells a similar story to many high streets across the country, which have struggled with the rise of online shopping. The area represents a key battleground in this general election as the Labour Party has a majority of just 502 votes. Bishop Auckland: 'My dream cafe to revive high ... - BBC News "But after the first show, the whole town was buzzing.". Former stockbroker Jonathan Ruffer's interest in Bishop Auckland isn't immediately clear - the 68-year-old had no connection to Bishop Auckland until a decade ago. ", Mr Little, who has worked in the shop for 24 years, says old-fashioned customer service and a loyal following has helped the business survive, but he has seen a decline over the years. In a heavy blow, Marks & Spencer upped sticks and moved to the complex in 2013, despite a petition signed by thousands of locals. Video, 00:00:35, Hundreds at funeral for teen killed in Myanmar protests, Haircut in The Hague after lockdown. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. She pauses, then adds: "How long I can hang on is another thing.". News Front Page. Do you have a story … Bishop Auckland 7 day weather forecast including weather warnings, temperature, rain, wind, visibility, humidity and UV "We're not quite half way through. Temporary Inspector for Bishop Auckland, ... BBC Viewers have complained … Video, 00:02:13, 'I have never seen anything quite like it before' Video, 00:01:31, 'I have never seen anything quite like it before', Phoebe Bridgers shares all the feels. A COUNTY Durham MP went viral after an appearance on BBC News left viewers questioning her seemingly "enormous" shoulders. Then he bought the castle. AudioPhoebe Bridgers shares all the feels, A tricky new accent for Daniel Radcliffe. 'Too much emphasis' on regenerating cities. Americas. The Debates. The cafe where everything is £1. The Auckland Project has also been buying up empty shops, but its proposals for them are still under wraps. He laughs as he says the former stockbroker "could have gone anywhere". One of the multimillionaire's first projects was Kynren, an annual outdoor show on a farm near the castle that started in 2016. He took time this week to speak to Josie Eldridge for Bishop Press about his love of cooking and his journey to the show. Audio, How can Gordon help revive restaurants? News services Your news when you want it News Front Page. 'His mental health has suffered all along' Video, 00:02:20'His mental health has suffered all along'. Video, 00:01:55, 'His mental health has suffered all along' Video, 00:02:20, 'His mental health has suffered all along', Will my hometown survive this lockdown? Read about our approach to external linking. First-time voter. "Tourists don't see Bishop - they see a car park. Audio. Is the party over for free wi-fi in cafes? Boys in balaclavas put villagers through 'hell' pelting cars and targeting homes. For a family-run business that was set up more than 50 years ago, Mr Ruffer's investment offers hope. Read about our approach to external linking. It has something that others don't: a multimillionaire willing to pour his own money into its revival. David Little, who works in a shop on the High Street selling electrical appliances, says the castle is "beautiful", but its custom "doesn't trickle down to day-to-day business". The performance tells the history of England with a 1,000-strong cast and crew made up of local volunteers. A BBC reporter was taken aback by a farmer in Bishop Auckland who slammed Boris Johnson for his lies told during the EU referendum. Video, 00:00:48, SpaceX ship lands safely... then explodes, 'What happens if there is another earthquake?' Will my hometown survive this lockdown? Bishop Auckland. I'm Dehenna Davison, Conservative Member of Parliament for Bishop Auckland. Is the party over for free wi-fi in cafes? Video, 00:03:58Will my hometown survive this lockdown? ', Hundreds at funeral for teen killed in Myanmar protests. Do you have a story about your local high street which we should cover? Bishop Auckland Music Society – Concert Series 2021 Jan 30, 2021 | County News , Featured | BAMS is delighted to showcase its 2021 season which launches on Friday, 9th April with Katherine Bryer (oboe) and Irena Radic (piano) in a concert which includes work by Schumann and Rachmaninoff. Video, 00:01:42Why did the chicken restaurant cross the road? MP for Bishop Auckland. ', Hundreds at funeral for teen killed in Myanmar protests. Here you can find my latest news, campaigns and more about me, including how to contact my office. "If they weren't accessing out-of-town retail in Bishop Auckland they would just be travelling into Durham city, just up the road.". Although Mr Ruffer is vague about the exact amount he's spending, the scale of the project is clear. "My original intention was to buy the paintings as a way of saying 'I am on your side' to the community," says Mr Ruffer. Follow the latest news for Bishop Auckland in Durham, England, UK - Local news and information in your area. A glass-domed restaurant in the walled gardens of the castle will open, and there is a plan to renovate several derelict hotels. Video, 00:01:52'What happens if there is another earthquake? Out of it has come an art museum documenting life in the coal mines, and from next year, tourists will be able to visit a Spanish art gallery which will house the masterpieces he bought 10 years earlier. Candidates for the three main parties set out why they should be elected to represent Bishop Auckland. Read about our approach to external linking. Clarks is just the latest shop to close its doors in the north-eastern English town. Philanthropy is a "vomit-inducing word", the devout Christian says, but he can't find another way to describe what he is doing. "We always felt this was a 25 year project," he says. Asia-Pacific. There he served wealthy clients and managed billions of pounds' worth of assets. Video, 00:01:39The cafe where everything is £1. Dorothy Perkins and Beales were among 20 chains that shut up shop. Seven years ago, Mr Ruffer started a charity to reinvigorate Bishop Auckland. Sorry, your browser cannot display this map, Source: Local Data Company, map built using Carto, Carl Marshall, who is responsible for economic regeneration at Durham County Council, insists the retail park is not solely to blame for the high street's decay. Video, 00:00:48SpaceX ship lands safely... then explodes, 'What happens if there is another earthquake?' Video, 00:01:52, 'What happens if there is another earthquake? Still, could this town be at a tipping point? He hopes the tourist attractions, which are just off the main shopping artery, Newgate Street, will help the "circulation of blood" to the town centre. What happens when a virus mutates? Its past is its future, in many ways, but saving a town isn't a quick fix. Clarks in Bishop Auckland was once a place where tiny feet were squeezed into their first pair of school shoes. "People go to the castle and go home," he says. The BBC reporter was in Bishop Auckland discussing the general election. The Conservative Party has traditionally found a measure of support in the beautiful countryside surrounding Barnard Castle, Teesdale, Startforth and … Why did the chicken restaurant cross the road? "The footfall just isn't what it used to be," he says. Email myhighstreet@bbc.co.uk, How to save the UK's crisis-hit High Streets. She finds the promise of future trade from Mr Ruffer's tourist attractions encouraging. But the fortunes of the town may be about to change. BBC News will be following the progress of Bishop Auckland's town centre this year as part of the #BBCMyHighStreet project. "I laughed when I first heard about it," says Mr Rea-Dobson. Bishop Auckland's high street faces significant challenges. Video, 00:04:51. Bishop Auckland Football Club is a football club based in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, England.They are one of the most successful amateur sides, having won the FA Amateur Cup ten times and reached the final on a further eight occasions. Bishop Auckland's Mike Bartley can be seen in the opening show of the latest series of Masterchef which airs on BBC One this Monday, 1st March at 9pm. I'm here to help you, so please don't hesitate to get in touch. Formed in 1885, the seat has the market town Bishop Auckland which has a mixed modern and historic high street, the similarly sized Barnard Castle and large areas used for agriculture, particularly hill farming on the rolling landscape that cuts into the Pennines with substantial livestock. The passionate … "I was on the lookout for some way to engage with somewhere in the North East. Coronavirus information can be found here. Video, 00:02:13Haircut in The Hague after lockdown, 'I have never seen anything quite like it before' Video, 00:01:31'I have never seen anything quite like it before', Phoebe Bridgers shares all the feels. I'd never wielded a sword before," he says. 15. I'm not the slightest bit interested in visitor attractions, I'm only interested in regeneration.". BBC News General Election 2005, full results for Bishop Auckland Get the latest news in the Bishop Auckland area from BBC News. E-mail news; Mobiles; One of the things sucking trade away from the high street is a new out-of-town retail park. "I had sleepless nights - I put scaffolding up for a living. "I'm very shy when it comes to talking about the amount of expenditure," he says. A General Election inevitably means we're bombarded with vox pops from members of the public in news bulletins.But we may have just seen the best one of the campaign.A farmer stopped on the street by a BBC journalist in Bishop Auckland has … But Mr Rea-Dobson says the businessman's investment has "split the town", with some locals becoming impatient. Despite such successes, Mr Ruffer is aware that regenerating Bishop Auckland will take time. Wales. BBC Today host Justin Webb was embroiled in a heated clash with the Bishop of Worcester after the cleric challenged Boris Johnson's support … The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. A farmer in Bishop Auckland (County Durham) has just become a Remainer hero, after launching a superb putdown of Boris Johnson on BBC News. Constituency profile. Why did the chicken restaurant cross the road? The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Why did the chicken restaurant cross the road? Mr Ruffer is a "visionary" who has given Bishop Auckland a "unique opportunity" to become a tourist attraction, the councillor says. Video, 00:02:44Celebrating the world's largest female afro, The sea intruder causing havoc in Tasmania. England. Video, 00:02:04, The sea intruder causing havoc in Tasmania, SpaceX ship lands safely... then explodes. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. Mr Ruffer grew up in Stokesley, near Middlesbrough, before heading south to study at Cambridge University. Read about our approach to external linking. He loves food and people and always dreamed of running his own cafe. Bishop Press is the community newspaper of Bishop Auckland in South West Durham, published by independent publisher South West Durham News. The BBC didn’t expect this reaction. It’s brilliant as it unfolds and the reporter tries to tone it down at the end. He went on to become one of the City's most successful fund managers, co-founding a London-based investment company. AudioA tricky new accent for Daniel Radcliffe. More than one in five properties lie vacant, almost double the national average of 12%. BBC News will be following the progress of Bishop Auckland's town centre this year as part of the #BBCMyHighStreet project. What happens when a virus mutates? "This isn't goodbye," the notice in the window reassures passers-by.