Plans to restore two historic buildings in Plean Country Park could see them brought back to life to boost the park and local area.

Plean House and Stables have been in a ruinous state for over 50 years after a fire destroyed the house.

But the ambitious plans, lead by Plean resident Jackie Stewart, hope to bring the buildings back to life and make them a landmark for the village.

Jackie said: “The plans could see a cafe, gift shop, living exhibition space and meeting place in the renovated buildings.

“They could also be used as a meeting space for groups or for weddings and functions.

“If people have other ideas of what we could do with the buildings we really want to hear their views and encourage them to take part in our consultation.

“The results of this will help us shape what is done with the buildings.”

Plean House and Stables were built over 200 years ago by Francis Simpson and the grounds are now what is Plean Country Park.

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Wallace Thorneycroft took over ownership of the estate in 1894 and was the pit owner of Plean Colliery. The family moved away in the 1970s when ownership transferred to the National Coal Board. Vandals set fire to the house and it has been derelict ever since.

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Stirling Council bought the land in the 1980s and turned it into a country park. It is the only country park Stirling Council own and operate.

Jackie added: “The buildings have stood here for 200 years and if we get this right they will be here for another couple hundred years.

“There is so much history in this area and it is important that we tell the story. By restoring these two buildings we would be able to do that and make them a landmark for the village.”

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The ambitious plan would be to develop the buildings in two phases - with the stables being developed first over five years and then attention turned to the house.

Once the consultation is complete, the next stage would be to set up a trust and start the process of pursuing ownership of the buildings as well as fundraising.

Around 35 people have expressed an interest in joining the group with around another 15 offering to be volunteers.

Jackie said: “We are looking for people with different skills to help with the project - no experience in restoring buildings is necessary - and if anyone is interested we would love to hear from them.”

Anyone interested can email pleanhouseandstables@gmail.com.

The consultation is currently open and runs until the end of May - https://surveymars.com/q/lyrx6N1Mi

We’ve been on the hunt for the best restaurants and gastropubs in County Durham - and we can today reveal our list of finalists.

It’s no secret that there are some fantastic spots to get some great grub across the region, a place home to so many talented and dedicated restaurants.

And this year we’ve once again been looking to shine a spotlight on the best of the best, along with the help of our readers.

We can now reveal the top ten finalists in our competition - and we want you to now vote for your favourite.

This year’s top ten are:

1. Burtree Inn - Burtree Gate, Darlington, DL2 2XZ

2. Stable Hearth – 33-35 Duke Street, Darlington, DL3 7RX

3. Taipan Asia – 10 Crown Street, Darlington, DL1 1LU

4. Tawny Owl – Neasham Road, Hurworth Moor, Darlington, DL3 1QE

5. The Bay Horse – 45 The Green, Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, DL2 2AA

6. The Bridge Inn - The Green, Stapleton, DL2 2QQ

7. The Crown at Mickleton - Mickleton, Barnard Castle, DL12 0JZ

8. The Ivy Tree - Yarm Road, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 3RY

9. The Loft Steakhouse & Grill - 10 Crown Street, Darlington, DL1 1LU

10. The Talbot - 47–49 The Green, Bishopton, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 1HE

To vote, you simply need to cut out a coupon printed in The Northern Echo this week and next. You have until Wednesday, April 22 to vote for your favourite.

In the meantime, we’ll be highlighting each of the restaurants and gastropubs in our top ten to help you decide which one to vote for.

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The Northern Echo editor Gavin Foster said: “We have some fantastic restaurants across Darlington and County Durham and our best restaurant or gastropub competition is the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on that.

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"We are delighted to once again be launching our search for the best of the best. Get your votes in now!”

To vote, you simply need to cut out a coupon printed in The Northern Echo this week and next. You have until

A new fish and chips restaurant has opened in Salisbury.

Harbour 25 has officially opened its doors on Saturday, April 4, on Salt Lane, bringing new life to one of Salisbury’s best‑known fish and chip shop sites and combining tradition with a modern twist.

The new restaurant takes its name from the former Harbour Fish and Chips and from the year the current team took over the premises, intending to blend traditional favourites with a modern twist.

The Mayor of Salisbury, Cllr John Wells, attended the opening and welcomed the return of a local fish and chip shop to the city centre.

He said it was "really good to see a local fish and chip restaurant being reopened by new owners" in a "good location" with a building that is "really well known for fish and chips."

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He added that he was sure that reputation would "long continue under the new owners" and described Harbour 25 as "another bonus for the city" with the restaurant opening. The Mayor said he had visited in the past and would "definitely be coming in the future because it is a really convenient spot and it always does really good fish and chips."

Salisbury City councillor for St Francis and Stratford, Atiqul Hoque, said the new venture underlined confidence in the city. He said it was "great to see the Harbour’s legacy being taken over by these new people in London," adding that it showed "Salisbury is a vibrant city that is still open for business" with opportunities for people to invest. "

Co‑owner Kiran Pratt said Harbour 25 was about restoring a "well-regarded premises" while refreshing the look and feel of the shop. He explained that the team wanted to "bring the traditional fish and chips back, whilst also bringing something fresh and new," transforming the unit into somewhere "nice for people to dine in."

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Mayor of Salisbury Cllr John Wells and Salisbury City Council Cllr Atiqul Hoque. (Image: Dan Quina Brito)

The business was established in mid‑2025 after the new owners took over the former Harbour Fish and Chips site, but extensive structural work meant the opening had to be delayed. Since then, they have worked to create a strong brand while respecting the site’s history.

Alongside classic fish and chips, Harbour 25 serves smashed burgers, grilled dishes and a children’s menu. Options include mini burgers, sliders, chicken and beef smashed burgers, plus chicken "stylers."

Fellow co‑owner Mostafa Shofiue, whose background is in property and hospitality, said the opening marked the end of a “very long” ten‑month journey to get the site ready. He spoke of feeling “very happy” to finally welcome customers and praised the efforts of the new team, who had been trained up in the days before launch.

Harbour 25 will be open on Tuesday to Thursday, 12-10pm, Friday and Saturday, 12-11pm and Sunday, 12-8pm. They will be closed on Mondays.

A village pub is making its beer festival even bigger this summer after a "hugely successful" event last year.

The Three Horseshoes in Briston will become a hub for beer, music and street food from August 28 to 31 as plans for Summerfest are revealed.

Last year, nearly 1,000 people headed to the pub for its first beer festival, prompting general manager Dean Smith to expand the event further this year.

Last year's event drew nearly 1,000 people to the pub (Image: The Three Horseshoes)

"We were rammed and people loved it last year, it was so successful," he explained.

"It was a bit of a trial run, but we knew we definitely wanted to invest more into it this year.

"For this summer, we have invested in a new outdoor bar in the pavilion, which will be open throughout the season."

The full line-up has now been revealed (Image: The Three Horseshoes)

Local musicians and DJs will provide the soundtrack for the weekend, with artists including Serena Grant, Counterfeit Brits and DJ Funky Chicken taking to the stage at various points throughout the event.

It remains a beer festival at its heart, with six ales, six lagers and plenty of ciders celebrating the best of Norfolk produce.

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Street food vendors have been booked to fill people's stomachs while they enjoy the music and soak up the sun.

The pub also serves its own food, which is very popular (Image: The Three Horseshoes)

While the event promises to bring in hundreds of people from around Norfolk, Mr Smith wants to encourage the local community to come together for the weekend's celebrations.

"We are just a nice little country pub trying to give back to the community that supports us so well," he said.

"We host a monthly quiz night, which gets around 70 people on the last Tuesday of each month and we were completely booked for Mother's Day.

"We are just very grateful."

The new outdoor bar should open for business on the first May Bank Holiday weekend.

A full day of live music, family fun and community spirit will take centre stage this May as the Heart:Beats Music Festival returns to the Blue Anchor.

Running from 11am to 11pm on Sunday, May 3, the all-day charity event will showcase some of Cornwall’s best-loved cover bands and performers across two stages, all while raising vital funds for the British Heart Foundation and The Sunrise Centre in Truro.

The line-up features Small Wonder, Guilty Pleasures, Tom Briggs, The Zalick Band, Hightide, Lee Davids, Dirty Repeats, Babybrew, The Roosters, Rudi’s Message, Payback, and Phillip Greet & Nightchasers Disco. Organisers note that the schedule may be subject to change at short notice.

Tiger Tales at the festival in 2019

Adding to the atmosphere, Cornwall’s Rewind Radio will be broadcasting live from the venue throughout the day, capturing the energy of the crowd and celebrating the performers and supporters who make the festival possible.

Families will also find plenty to enjoy, with face painting available from 12pm to 5pm and a welcoming, community-focused setting.

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Entry is by minimum £10 donation, with under-fives priced at £5, and all proceeds will be split between the two charities. The event is supported by local businesses including Ann’s Pasties, Foxhole Studio and Phoenix Signs SW Ltd.

For updates and further details, visit Heart:Beats Festival 2026