Featured
Durham misses out on UK City of Culture 2025 to Bradford

Durham has missed out on the coveted City of Culture 2025 title leaving thousands in the region disappointed at missing out on millions of pounds worth of investment and a unique programme of events.
County Durham’s 2025 bid team and other influential people gathering at Beamish Museum on Tuesday evening as they watched on as Culture Secretary announced on BBC’s The One Show that Bradford had landed the prize, beating off compeititon from Southampton and Wrexham.
Following the big reveal there were a lot of disappointed faces after putting 18 months’ worth of work and effort into the region’s bid. Tuesday’s decision means that County Durham has missed out on a reported 15 million visitors, an injection of hundreds of millions of pounds into the economy and the creation and safeguarding of thousands of jobs.
The shortlist was compiled from a record group of 20 that had initially registered bids to take over the title, currently held by Coventry.
The then longlisted winners received a £40,000 grant to strengthen their applications. They additionally included Cornwall, Derby, Stirling and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon.
The advisory panel, chaired by Sir Phil Redmond, visited the then four shortlisted places before making their final recommendation in May, which was later approved by Ms Dorries.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “Congratulations to Bradford, which is a worthy winner of UK City of Culture 2025.
“Art and culture should be accessible to everyone and this prestigious title will help Bradford deliver unforgettable events for communities on their doorstep.
“There was stiff competition and I thank County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough for their excellent bids.
“Coventry has shown us how powerful the UK City of Culture title is at boosting investment, attracting visitors and leaving a lasting legacy for local people.”
It’s not clear at this time whether bid directors would be making another attempt for the 2029 City of Culture.
Featured
Karen’s Diner on Tour is BACK IN NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE!!

Karen’s Diner on Tour coming to town on tour and ‘well if y’all show up in force we’ll either come as a longer term pop up or simply just stay put for a while until we’ve insulted everyone in the North East!’
Get your tickets here: Karens Diner Newcastle tickets
We have spoken to the top Karen who assures everyone who went last time that Bottomless means BOTTOMLESS!
At our pop-up Karen’s you will be greeted and waited upon by rude waiters who in return are expecting you to give it full Karen. A place where you can complain until the cows come home because we literally don’t care. You can expect good food, good fun and a dining experience like you’ve never had before. Let us know if it’s your birthday, if your name is Karen and for the love of Karen don’t ask to speak to the manager….
Your ticket includes a delicious BOTTOMLESS pizza and BOTTOMLESS prossecco or select spirits and mixers as well as select soft drinks drinks for a full 90mins
*We cater for all allergens
You will get full and authentic Karen experience – our games, our waitstaff and the full works. Decent food provided by the venue (we hope) and BOTTOMLESS booze for those who love a drink. This is a dining experience like no other – literally. Come enjoy the OG Karen’s from OG Karen’s.
Don’t accept imitations – book now to avoid missing out!
See our two below YouTube videos from the last time they were in the toon to see what to expect…
Follow our channel for more local videos…
*affiliate link – we may receive payment for sales for this event.
Entertainment
Raoul Moat Drama Coming Soon To ITV

It looks set to be one of ITV’s biggest dramas this year and The Hunt for Raoul Moat is being brought to screen by the same people responsible for smash hit shows Line of Duty, Bodyguard and Vigil.
It was confirmed last April that production on the series had commenced, nearly 12 years after Moat gunman shot ex girlfriend Samantha Stobbart and her new boyfriend Christopher Brown, with Brown dying from his injuries. After fleeing Samantha’s home in Birtley, Moat, who had been released from prison just days earlier, went on the run, shooting on duty policeman PC David Rathband in the face as he sat in a patrol car on the outskirts of Newcastle and leaving him blind.
From there, Moat headed for Northumberland, forcing the quiet village of Rothbury into a lockdown as police launched a frantic search for him. The hunt for Moat reached its conclusion with a tense stand-off between the killer and the police on a riverbank, with Moat eventually shooting himself and dying from his injuries as he was rushed to Newcastle General Hospital.
ITV announced three parter The Hunt for Raoul Moat almost a year ago, as filming got underway in Yorkshire, with a cast including ex Bodyguard star Matt Stokoe as Moat and Inspector George Gently actor Lee Ingeleby as police chief Neil Adamson.
ITV have yet to officially announce an release date for The Hunt for Raoul Moat, but is expected to be form part of the channel’s spring programming.
Featured
Newcastle United to Reveal New Shirt Sponsor?

footballinsider247 are reporting that the main shirt sponsor slot for Newcastle United is expected to be filled by airline SAUDI, who sponsored Newcastle’s mid-season tour of their owners’ homeland in December.
They state ‘This site revealed in February that there is frustration at St James’ Park that they have inherited a kit deal with Castore worth just £5m per year with no break clause and several seasons left to run.’
Newcastle’s recently appointed CEO Darren Eales has already previously expressed that the club at looking at all commercial opportunities and fans on Twitter were keen to mock up their expectation for the new shirts, see below and let us know your thoughts and also see our below video on how NUFC can increase commercial avenues..
Eddie Howe’s team are currently in a strong position to achieve a European slot which would increase revenue into the club allowing more spend whilst staying within Financial Fair Play which is something Howe has spoken about on several occasions as they look to stay within. If the club do reach a European slot it should help significantly with recruitment in the summer by making it a more attractive proposition to any incoming targets.
What do you think of the kits – let us know on our facebook page and join in on the conversation.
You can also download our FREE app – https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates
Credit: NUFC kit concept – twitter
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