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.
