Log Fire Pizza Co., the popular Italian street food brand, and Delaney’s Donkey, a new Irish Bar and Restaurant concept, are both set to open at The Riverwalk, the £30 million redevelopment on the banks of the River Wear. This news comes as Odeon’s fit out works progress for the new multi-screen cinema.

Log Fire Pizza Co. and Delaney’s Donkey are due to open this spring, joining Cosy Club and Turtle Bay on The Riverwalk’s striking new promenade. Winner of the ‘Best pizza in the North East’ in the 2018 Slice Wars, Log Fire Pizza Co has a fast growing fan base across the region and will be opening its first permanent restaurant at The Riverwalk, offering a selection of Italian street food in true Neapolitan style.

Craig Shelmerdine, Log Fire Pizza, added: “We are thrilled to be opening our first restaurant in the heart of Durham. The Riverwalk is set to be an exciting new venture for us and we’re proud to be a part of this. Pizza is perhaps the only dish in the world that can stir up such resounding gastronomic emotions, and we aim to be a place where our customers can find feast and friendship, and enjoy true Neapolitan style pizza, pastas, wines and beers.”

Delaney’s Donkey will offer an all-day menu of fresh locally-sourced food in a relaxed family friendly dining atmosphere, with regular live music and Irish Dancing at the weekends. Owner Andy Maher has plans to expand to further cities, such as York and Newcastle.

Andy Maher, Delaney Donkey’s, commented: “We are delighted to be debuting at The Riverwalk, Durham. We believe we are bringing something truly unique to the city, and in a spectacular location right on the riverfront. We are looking forward to welcoming our first guests soon.”

Nick Berry, Partner at Clearbell Capital, commented:“As the construction programme is nearing completion, and Odeon is making progress on the fit out of its six-screen cinema, we are pleased to welcome these exciting new restaurants to The Riverwalk. This development is about bringing a new energy to this part of the city, with a vibrant mix of restaurants, cafes and bars, to complement the cinema and bowling lanes. These two new brands are unique offerings as up and coming local operators, who we are proud to welcome alongside the national brands, giving visitors and residents more choice and more reasons to stay in the city.”

Many bars and cafes are already open at The Riverwalk, including Old Tom’s Gin Bar, It’s All About the Cake and Ice Stone Gelato, which opened last month. This sits alongside the wide range of convenient and family friendly shops that are also open and trading, such as Savers, CEX, Poundland and The Works.

The Riverwalk is owned by Clearbell Property Partners II LP (Clearbell), a fund managed by Clearbell Capital.