It’s also got a ‘hidden’ storage compartment for board games

It can be a difficult task when it comes to redesigning your living room, especially when choosing a new coffee table. Depending on your unique needs and family dynamic, you will likely need a coffee table that serves various purposes and can act as a great ‘all-rounder’ for the whole family.

Fortunately, whether you need extra storage or a table that can accommodate your family game nights, there may be one perfect choice for you. The Harmon Games Coffee Table, which is currently being offered on Dunelm for £379, has been specially designed to play various board games while maintaining a sleek rustic aesthetic.

While it’s not in Dunelm’s huge 50% off spring sale, the Games Coffee Table is built with mango wood to help provide sturdiness as well as a light colour that goes perfectly with more subtly designed and neutrally coloured living rooms. It also comes with a unique chequered design featuring both light and dark brown colours.

READ MORE: Homeware shoppers snap up reduced coffee table that looks like it’s from a high-end boutique

READ MORE: Dunelm knocks 50% off coffee table that resembles £1,900 designer version

Aside from giving the table a chic look, this also allows it to serve as a built-in playing board for games such as chess and draughts. It also comes with a removable top that allows for the hollow interior of the table to be used for extra storage, especially useful if you want a convenient and easy-to-reach spot for all your board games and game pieces.

The table itself is also not too large with a 38cm x 80cm x 80cm dimension, allowing to fit comfortably in even the smallest living rooms. However, if you want something a little different to deck out your living room this spring and summer, yoy could instead opt for this Glass Round Nesting Coffee table set from Dusk.

With a reduced price from £129 to £103, this circular coffee table set has a glass centre with gold trimmings. Otherwise, you can opt for this Evie Round Nesting Coffee at Dusk, which has been reduced from £149 to £119.

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This small taupe coffee table features a slightly exposed interior, allowing it to be used as extra open storage for a wide variety of items. Currently, the Harmon Games Coffee Table hasn’t received any reviews on Dunelm.

Despite this, the retailer has garnered an average of 3.5 stars on Trustpilot. One customer who previously purchased from them said: “Great service from start to finish lovely products and a nice array of colours would definitely recommend this to anyone.”

While another added: “We ordered a new sofa and rug, both were great and as we expected. Delivery’s both went according to plan and with no hiccups. Will be shopping again soon for blinds. Great service all round.”

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However, not all shoppers were pleased with the retailer, with one other cusotmer writing: “I bought this automatic soap dispenser and it works fine most of the time but the sensor can be inconsistent.”

While another said: “Not please with Forma duvet cover. Even in small wash comes out of the dryer crumpled and needs ironing.”

The former First Minister said her interview on The Assembly “sparked more raw emotion than [she] has ever shown on TV before”.

The second series of The Assembly is set to hit our screens next month and it will see Nicola Sturgeon give one of her most “unique” interviews. The former First Minister has admitted “didn’t think the tears would stop” as she opened up about her miscarriage.

The interview show, which returns to STV in April, strips away the usual protections public figures reply on. There are no pre-agreed questions, no rehearsed answers and no clear sense of where conversations might lead.

Instead, each guest is questioned by a panel made up entirely of autistic, neurodivergent and/or learning disabled interviewers – creating a space driven by honesty and curiosity rather than media training or political strategy.

Widely praised as “the most groundbreaking TV show of the year” in 2025 and “a breath of fresh air,” the series has built a reputation for producing moments that feel both raw and deeply human.

And that is something the former SNP leader has told viewers to expect from her interview. For the politican – who spent years navigating press conferences, opposition scrutiny and tightly controlled interviews – this experience proved unlike anything she had ever faced in her career.

This interview was different to anything I’ve done before – a totally unique experience,” she said. “It sparked more raw emotion in me than I have ever shown on TV before, even in the most candid of the political interviews I’ve done over the years. There was no spin; just raw vulnerability on both sides.”

A new trailer for the second series of The Assembly has offered a glimpse into some of its most emotional and unpredictable moments. In it, Sturgeon is asked about her arrest and whether she received “special treatment”. The clip also shows Sir Stephen Fry and Lenny Henry being grilled.

Sturgeon’s appearance, which will air across the first two episodes of the new series, shows a side of the former First Minister rarely witnessed in public life.

Reflecting on the experience, Sturgeon admitted the emotional toll was significant. “I felt exhausted and really drained, but in a good way,” she said. “It was a genuine rollercoaster of emotions – one minute I’d be laughing and the next, crying.”

One moment in particular proved difficult for Sturgeon, as she explained: “There were a couple of points when I felt quite overwhelmed. For example, when I started talking about the baby I lost to a miscarriage, the tears just started to flow and I didn’t think I was going to be able to stop.”

Back in 2016, the politician revealed she had suffered a miscarriage when she was 40 years old. The story was shared in the book, Scottish National Party Leaders, as Sturgeon spoke about the loss of the baby which happened shortly before the 2011 Scottish parliamentary election campaign period.

She explained to the author that instead of dealing with her grief at home, she attended the 40th anniversary of the Ibrox disaster on January 3, 2011. Despite the miscarriage chat catching her off guard, she described the experience as ultimately positive.

She said: “What I took from it was how cathartic it is to open up emotionally to a group of people with no agenda other than hearing honest answers – and to give my answers totally instinctively, without first putting them through the filter of how they might translate into hostile headlines.”

Sturgeon saw her time on The Assembly as an opportunity to present a more personal side of herself, beyond the constraints of political life. She explained: “I really valued getting to open up and show a different side of myself.

“I am someone who naturally wants to wear my heart on my sleeve, but for a long time, my job and the kind of interviews I did meant that I had to be serious and guarded and keep my emotions in check. In this interview, I hope the viewer will see the human being much more than the politician.”

She also praised the panel, adding: “The Assembly members were brilliant. It’s not easy for anyone to put themselves in the TV spotlight – especially in today’s world – but the guts and the passion shown by them was incredible.”

Looking ahead, Sturgeon stated more politicians should take part in the STV series. She suggested that Keir Starmer gives the show a chance for season three, stating: “I think The Assembly is in many ways the ultimate test for a politician. Can you relate on a deeply human level or not? And if you can’t, you should probably find a new job.”

The Assembly returns on Wednesday, April 8, at 10.05pm and Friday, April 10, at 10pm on STV and STV Player, as well as ITV1 and ITVX.

Amanda Dwyer is this year’s winner of the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award and received a personalised video message from the Big Yin himself.

Billy Connolly has sent a video message to the winner of the Glasgow comedy award set up in his name. Amanda Dwyer is this year’s winner of the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award at the Glasgow Comedy Festival Gala.

The 36-year-old said she was “over the moon” to collect her award on stage at the King’s Theatre on Sunday, following a personalised video message from Sir Billy Connolly himself.

She becomes the fourth winner of the award – which recognises the individual who most personifies the “Spirit of Glasgow” – joining previous recipients Rosco McClelland (2025), Susie McCabe (2024) and Janey Godley (2023).

Giving his video address Sir Billy said: “Hello everybody, I hope you’re enjoying the Gala. Comedy’s come a long way when they give you Galas. Galas were for Bearsden people.”

He went on to reference one of Dwyer’s jokes as he addressed her directly, saying: “I’d like to congratulate the winner, Amanda Dwyer, who is superb and knows more about bumholes than I do. Have a ball – enjoy yourself.”

Dwyer was visibly emotional when she was handed the glass trophy – which is engraved with Sir Billy’s self portrait – by host Susie McCabe.

Speaking to the Press Association after the ceremony, Dwyer said it was “amazing” to be named this year’s winner. She said: “I’m absolutely over the moon, and I’m in shock, complete shock, I can’t believe it.”

She also described receiving a personal message from Sir Billy himself as “the most surreal moment in my life,” adding: “I can’t believe he’s saying my name.

“He’s up on the screen in the King’s Theatre congratulating me on winning an award that’s in his name. It was just crazy. I nearly fainted I think. Just to think that he’s even seen me try and be funny, is unbelievable.”

Dwyer took the prize ahead of a shortlist including five female comics – the most women ever nominated for the award – as well as the first ever non-comic. She said this showed “the strength of the female comics on the scene”.

Dwyer’s breakthrough autobiographical shows delved into the “raw, and often traumatic, realities of being a woman”. She said her comedy can “sometimes be side” because the topics she discusses are “very personal”.

She explained: “My last show was about miscarriage. I think if you were to just go and listen to a seminar or something on miscarriage, it would be quite upsetting and quite jarring.

“But I think with comedy, when you’re able to laugh and relax and enjoy the conversation, then it makes it more accessible to people, and encourages people to be more open about these things.”

She also founded Material, Girl, a monthly comedy show and now hit podcast with all female and non-binary line-ups at The Stand comedy club, to platform other female comics and create a space for women in comedy.

GCF director Krista MacDonald said: “Amanda Dwyer is a comic who personifies the city she comes from in every way. Something Glaswegians are renowned for is finding humour even in dark times, and that is something Amanda does so thoughtfully in her comedy as she tackles the raw, and often traumatic, realities of being a woman.

“Amanda’s deadpan delivery and wicked sense of humour have been making waves in the Scottish comedy scene for the past five years, and her commitment to making comedy more welcoming for new female voices is just another way in which Amanda embodies the Spirit of Glasgow.”

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.

The Monday letters page is appalled at the idea of another PS5 price rise, as one reader questions how a Star Fox revival could work.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Too good to be true
If the rumours hadn’t come from such good sources I wouldn’t believe the news of a Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake, simply because that seems far too straightforward and obvious. It’s exactly what fans want and that’s something Nintendo almost never does.

I would be amazingly happy if it did happen, but I’ll continue to be dubious until it gets an official annoucement. My dream is that they get Capcom’s Resident Evil remake team to make it. Can you imagine how good that would be? Especially after how well Requiem works on the Switch 2.

The worst case scenario is if they get some no-name team, like the ones that did Link’s Awakening, to make it and it’s all some semi-cheap cash-in. I would not put this past Nintendo as they don’t like spending money and you would assume the main Zelda team is busy right now.

Of course, the question is why didn’t they announce this for Zelda’s 40th anniversary, especially with console sales on the slide, but I’m sure we’ll never get any sensible explanation for that. On balance, I believe the remake is real but I don’t yet believe it’s a good idea.
Onibee

Foxed again
So it looks like Nintendo is pretty dead set on making a new Star Fox, huh? Even if you don’t believe the rumours, putting him front and centre in the new Mario movie is a very strange move if it’s not for a specific reason. I’m all for it but I am dubious as to what it will be and who’ll make it.

The problem with Star Fox is that the first two games – the good ones – are pretty simple updates of the old 2D shmup formula. Star Fox 64 had 3D movement with all-range mode, but it was very limited and I’m not sure how far you can push that and stay mainstream.

The reason the other games have failed is not so much that they were bad but that they diluted the formula so much it didn’t really mean anything anymore. What is Star Fox? Is it a 3D shmup or is it just any random game as long as you have the same characters in it?

That second approach has clearly not worked and I hope Nintendo realise that and take things back to basics.
Starch

Rich customers
I don’t even know what to think about the PlayStation 5 price rises. It says it all when I’ve forgotten whether this is the second or the third one. I do think it’s probably not the last though.

It’s pointless saying it would be madness to release the PlayStation 6 anytime soon but despite that being how everyone else sees it Sony are not going to listen. The world does not need or want an even more expensive console that does nothing except add AI slop (I agree with the Reader’s Feature that a DLSS 5 style tech is very likely).

There’s absolutely no logic to it but it’s not going to stop them because they’ve just got it into their heads that as long as some (rich) people will buy it, it doesn’t matter how many poorer people they lose along the way. Well, count me out, that’s all I can say.
Gritt

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Quick reminder
I recently downloaded Minishoot’ Adventures and whilst I initially enjoyed the game’s exploring, I soon gave up.

There seems to be little or no ability to know where you’ve been in the game. I don’t get to play games as frequently as others so it’s often a few days or a week between sessions, so I’ve completely forgotten where I’ve been and where I’ve got to go. It’s so frustrating.

Is this a shared frustration? You alluded to it in your review, but I just find it such an impediment to my enjoyment. It doesn’t help that the regions look very samey too.

Do you have any tips to help with this?
John

GC: There’s no real way round it, apart from making notes. We mentioned a feature in our re-review of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, that reminds you of the last four things you did when you load the game up again, after stopping. That’s the sort of useful idea that is still not commonplace 22 years later and there’s no reason why.

Better late than never
I’m really glad that Silent Hill f has done so well, that now it’s getting crossovers with other horror series and manga with new endings and all the rest of it.

I admit that I thought announcing all these games was a waste of time and the series was doomed but I’m happy to be wrong. I guess sometimes just throwing enough stuff at the wall until it sticks does work.

Although hopefully they have got into a grove now and Townfall will be good as well. If it is and that’s three good games in a row (maybe four with the remake of Silent Hill 1) that will be quite the comeback.
Grackle

Balancing expectations
With all the doom and gloom around Switch 2 sales, I think people are forgetting what Nintendo forecast when it launched the machine and actual sales figures.

When they launched the machine they predicated it would sell 15 million units by March 2026 and last official sales figures suggest it has already sold 17 million units by the end end of 2025, so it’s already best it’s own estimates by 2 million with three months to spare.

Nintendo did increase the forecast to 19 million units after strong initial sales, so if you were to take that into consideration then they only need to sell 2 million between January and March 2026. And let’s not forget that it was only in February that they kept the 19 million forecast, by which time they would know if it’s tracking to hit their targets – they can’t knowingly mislead shareholders unless they are looking to get sued.

That’s not to say the Bloomberg reporter is flat out wrong – producing 6 million units a quarter means they would be looking to sell 24 million in any given year, which is crazy numbers in the current climate. And maybe Nintendo gave themselves a reality check that they are producing more than they need to, rather than suggest the Switch 2 is a sales flop.

Also, with the EU stating electronic devices need to have user replaceable battery going forward that could be another factor to slow down production of current model, to move capacity over to a revised model.

Basically, not everything needs to be doom and gloom all the time, and it’s OK to take reports with a pinch of salt if they are not backed by hard data.

Either way we find out in a few weeks when the next set of financial results are released (and maybe I’ll have custard on my face).
Anon

GC: It was Nintendo’s own president that admitted Christmas sales in the West had been ‘slightly weaker’ than expected. The question isn’t what’s happening but how serious a problem it is for Nintendo – and you’re right that, at the moment, the answer is probably not much at all.

The Elder Scrolls 6: Bohemia
For anyone hankering after a new Elder Scrolls game can I recommend Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

Just picked it up in the PSN sale and while it starts out pretty difficult, I’m really enjoying the first person exploration and levelling up by doing. Definitely worth a look.
Matt (he_who_runs_away – PSN ID)

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Life is strained
In addition to Shahzaib Sadiq’s concern regarding the quality of Life Is Strange: Reunion, he said, ‘but if it is another disappointment from Deck Nine, that is the final nail in the coffin.’

Sadly, I think the damage has already been done, starting with Double Exposure.

I’ve written in to the Inbox three times regarding my love for Life Is Strange, Before The Storm, and True Colors but in one of those emails, I expressed my own worries around the time Double Exposure was being revealed officially.

I said having Max as the main protagonist – something some of the fans wanted, but not me – was probably a bad idea, as I felt it was watering down and taking away the magic of what we loved of the first game, à la Ellie in The Last Of Us. And now they’ve bought back Chloe, which looks like they have either run out of ideas or simply given in to fan demand, which in turn may leave a permanent bad mark on their character.

The series now appears to be reliant on these two fan favourites, that they are now at risk of being overexposed, if you will.

I also mentioned in one of the aforementioned emails that some story characters are best confined to the one game/film they originated in, because actually sometimes, the wonder and speculation of what happened to them is better than what we actually know due to official canon.

I never played Double Exposure and just won’t ever, because I feel this game series has become a Donnie Darko/Ginger Snaps type thing where the first film was great but subsequent films told a story no one wanted to hear or cared for in the first place.

I sometimes feel we gamers don’t really know what we want…
LeeDappa

Inbox also-rans
Excellent interview with Jesper Kyd, GC. He’s always been my favourite video game musician and I had no idea he, or half the companies he talked about, go back so far.
Purple Ranger

GC: Thank you.

A £90 price increase for all PlayStation 5 console is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. I can’t believe that me buying one at launch turned out to be the cheapest option. And yet I still feel like I was conned somehow.
Grendel

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

MORE: Games Inbox: Will there be a Super Smash Bros. movie?

MORE: Games Inbox: What is the best 2D Mario platformer?

MORE: Games Inbox: Is the Nintendo Switch 2 becoming a failure?

“Intimidation directed at solicitors and their staff is on the increase and the impact of this on their health and wellbeing is concerning”

Two-thirds of solicitors in Northern Ireland have been subjected to threats or abuse at work, with many fearing for their own safety and that of their families, according to stark new figures.

A survey by the Law Society of Northern Ireland found that 66 per cent of respondents had experienced some form of intimidation, ranging from verbal abuse to physical attacks.

A total of 70 per cent said they did not report the incidents, with the majority believing it would make no difference.

The findings, based on responses from 480 solicitors, lay bare what the Society has described as a growing crisis within the profession.

The survey suggests the impact is both widespread and severe. More than half of respondents (58 per cent) said threats or attacks had negatively affected their wellbeing, with reports of stress, anxiety and hyper-vigilance.

Almost half (48 per cent) said they felt their personal safety, or that of their family, was at risk. Some reported installing security cameras, while others considered moving home, and a small number said they had already done so.

The nature of the abuse is also significant. Around 71 per cent of respondents reported verbal abuse, while 56 per cent said they had experienced physical threats or attacks. Incidents were most commonly reported in offices (61 per cent), but also occurred in courts, public spaces and online.

In many cases, the source of the abuse was close to home. More than a third (35 per cent) said threats came from existing clients, with further incidents involving former clients (18 per cent) and relatives of clients (9 per cent).

The survey also found that more than half of respondents (52 per cent) had experienced a threat or incident within the past year alone, with many reporting repeated occurrences.

The impact is beginning to affect the profession itself. One in five solicitors (21 per cent) said the threats had affected their ability to do their job, while 17 per cent said they had considered leaving their role or area of practice altogether.

In response, the Society is launching a new safety campaign and has established a dedicated Solicitor Safety Group. It has also introduced a “Solicitor Safety Toolkit” aimed at helping legal professionals manage risks in their work and personal lives.

The organisation has engaged with justice bodies including the PSNI, the Public Prosecution Service and the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service to coordinate a response.

It has also written to Justice Minister Naomi Long calling for legal changes, including recognising solicitors as frontline workers and strengthening sentencing for attacks against them.

Law Society President Mark Borland said: “Intimidation directed at solicitors and their staff is on the increase and the impact of this on their health and wellbeing is concerning.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Our thoughts are with those who have lost a loved one

Announcing the passing of a loved one in local news media is a long standing tradition and we are proud of the trust placed in us to make these important announcements. Every notice published to our newspaper and news site also appears on funeral-notices.co.uk – the UK’s number one site for death notices and memoriams.

Every notice remains online forever providing friends and families with a lifelong tribute to their loved one, a safe place online to share memories, add tributes, photographs and make donations in memory.

Each week we pay tribute to the loved ones remembered in our area with a funeral notice and online tribute page. To read the latest announcements and add tributes to those from our area who have passed away, or to create a funeral notice yourself, click here. Alternatively, you can create a notice by calling the team on 01482 908084.

Here are a selection of notices published earlier this week.

Death Notices

Tony COX

Of Cambridge. Passed away on Friday 6th March 2026 at Cherry Hinton Care Home, aged 84 years. Devoted Husband to Barbara. Dearly loved Father to Sophie, Lucy and Nancy. Treasured Grandfather to Charlie, Ava, Josie, Luke, Hannah and Fergus. Tony shall be deeply missed by all. Funeral service to be held on Thursday 16th April 2026 at St Edmund’s College Chapel at 11am followed by the committal at The Arbory Trust Woodland Burial Ground. Donations, if desired, to the benefit of The National Trust or The Wildlife Trust may be made online via Tony’s personal InMemory page at www.peasgoodandskeates.co.uk. All other enquiries to 617 Newmarket Road Cambridge CB5 8PA Tel: 01223 415255

Lisette Claire JOY (Perkins)

21st January 1965 to 1st February 2026 Lisette passed away peacefully, at home in Cambridgeshire, on Sunday 1st February. Lisette married husband Aidan, at Holy Trinity Church Yeovil in 1986. They had 40 fantastic years together. Lisette was a loving mother to Adrienne and Ben, brother to Alan and Stephen, auntie to Sarah, Rachel, Mark and Nick, great auntie to Elsie, Max, Arlo, Reuben, Ralph and grandmother to Grayson. Lisette embraced her life, touching the hearts of all who knew her. She attended Huish Junior and Westfield Comprehensive schools and worked at Normalair-Garrett Limited (NGL). Although they moved away in 1988, Lisette was always a “Yeovil girl”, who looked forward to return visits for family events. She treated her battle with cancer with legendary displays of fortitude and positivity. Thank you Lisette for the “joy” you brought to all our lives! Donations requested to Cancer Research UK (https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/in-memory-of-lisette-she-brought-joy-to-all-our-lives)

Bertie Frederick LAW

Formerly of Richard Newcombe Court Cambridge. Died Tuesday 24th February 2026. Aged 94 years. The funeral service will be on Thursday 9th April at The Arbory Trust Woodland Burial Ground at 10.30 am. All enquiries to: 164 Histon Road, Cambridge, CB4 3JP. Tel: 01223 791060

Peter Frederick MARSHALL

of Fulbourn, beloved husband of Madge, much loved dad of Gregg and Angela. Father-in-law to Bev, loving grandad to Emma and great-grandad to Amelie and Penny passed peacefully to rest on Sunday 8th March 2026 aged 94 years. Funeral service to be held at 11:30am, Cam Valley Crematorium, Great Chesterford on Wednesday 8th April 2026. Family flowers only, donations if desired made payable to Arthur Rank Hospice charity may be left at the service or sent to Richard Stebbings Funeral Service Ltd, Kendal House, Cambridge Road, Impington, Cambridge CB24 9YS. Tel 01223 232309.

Marcus Justin Stuart MONTGOMERY

Died suddenly on Monday 2nd March 2026 aged 51 years. Much loved son of Rosanne. Marcus will be deeply missed by all that knew him. Funeral service to take place on Monday 30th March at 11.15am Cambridge City Crematorium, West Chapel. Donations if desired to the benefit of the RSPCA can be made via Marcus’s In Memory Page at www.peasgoodandskeates.co.uk. Peasgood & Skeates 164 Histon Road Cambridge CB4 3JP 01223 791060

Paul Jordison SMART

of Girton, Cambridge died peacefully on Saturday 7th March 2026. Funeral service 11:15am at the Cambridge City Crematorium, West Chapel on Wednesday 1st April.

In Memoriams

Joseph VESEY

21st March 2003 No words can fill the space he leaves, No hug can hold the ache that grieves. But love like his stays close, not gone, It lingers soft and carries on. In memories warm, in stories dear, His voice, his laughter, reappear. He was our safest place, A light the world cannot replace. We love and miss our wonderful Dad every day. Love Maria, Des and Granddaughter Eveleen XXX

Jamie Paul WICKS

March 27th 1999. Aged 4 months. Our special son and brother. Short was our time together but you’ll never be forgotten and will stay in our hearts forever. Love Mummy, Daddy, Kirsty and Kieran XXXX

To add your own tributes to the loved ones from our area, or to publish a notice for your loved one, visit funeral-notices.co.uk

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those we have lost.

Drawing on hundreds of customer ratings, diners praise everything from crisp, golden batter and fluffy chips to generous portions and warm welcomes behind the counter.

From well-known city centre staples to much-loved village takeaways, these are five of the highest‑rated fish and chip shops in County Durham right now, according to Tripadvisor users.

Bells Fish & Chips, Durham

In the heart of Durham, Bells Fish & Chips remains one of the city’s best‑known spots for a traditional fish supper. With a Tripadvisor score of around 4.5 out of five from well over 1,000 reviews, it is regularly tipped as a go‑to for visitors and locals alike.

One diner described their meal as “fish cooked perfectly, batter delicious and chips spot on”, while another praised the “exceptional fish and chips with friendly, welcoming service”. Its central Market Place location makes it an easy stop after exploring Durham Cathedral and the historic streets, and although queues can build at busy times, many reviewers say the food is worth the wait. There are also other Bells fish and chip shops across the North East for those not in the city centre.

Middleton‑in‑Teesdale Fish & Chip Shop

Often described as a “hidden gem”, Middleton‑in‑Teesdale Fish & Chip Shop has built a strong reputation with both locals and visitors. With a rating hovering between 4.6 and 4.7 out of five, it is a popular stop for people heading to nearby attractions such as High Force waterfall.

Reviewers frequently praise the freshness of the fish, with one calling it “perfectly cooked in tasty batter with just‑right chips”. Another review describes it as a “little gem” with consistently good food and friendly staff, helping cement its status as a favourite after a day out in the Teesdale countryside.

Fish & Chips at 149, Barnard Castle

In the centre of Barnard Castle, Fish & Chips at 149 has earned a loyal following and maintains a Tripadvisor rating of around 4.4 out of five. Many customers single out the cod, describing it as light and flaky with a crisp batter that keeps people coming back.

One reviewer called it “the best fish and chips in the area”, while others highlight the generous portions and attentive service. It can get busy during peak tourist seasons, but for many, it remains a must‑visit whenever they are in the historic market town.

Fields, Esh Winning

Fields in Esh Winning is frequently picked out as a dependable local favourite. With a rating of around 4.5 out of five, it wins praise for its traditional cooking style and reliably good chips.

“Always great fish and chips, never disappointed,” wrote one Tripadvisor user, while another highlighted friendly service and value for money as key reasons for its popularity. It may be less well‑known to visitors, but it clearly has the trust of its local community.

Grandpa’s Fish Bar, Lanchester

In Lanchester, Grandpa’s Fish Bar continues to attract glowing feedback, holding a rating of around 4.6 out of five. Reviewers often mention the portion sizes and the quality of the batter, describing it as light, crispy and packed with flavour.

One customer summed it up as “excellent quality every time”, while others praise the welcoming atmosphere that keeps them returning. Its mix of hearty portions, good value and friendly service has helped secure its reputation as one of County Durham’s best‑rated village chippies.

Across County Durham, these five venues show that when it comes to fish and chips, consistency, freshness and a friendly welcome are what matter most to diners. Whether you prefer a bustling city centre shop or a quieter countryside takeaway, Tripadvisor users suggest these are among the very best the county has to offer right now.

But there’s a historic fishing village with “timeless appeal” and cobbled streets that’s just been highlighted by travel experts among the “most beautiful” in England.

You might have already been, or it could be one to add onto your travel bucket list.

In a newly published guide, it was none other than Staithes, close to Runswick Bay, that was named alongside the likes of Rye in East Sussex and Aylesford in Kent.

It comes as World Atlas has revealed the quaint destinations that show “how much of the country’s character can be seen in its smaller communities”.

The geographical publication explained: “England’s smaller towns and villages are often defined by medieval streets and abbey ruins that still mark the landscape around them.

“In Staithes, traditional homes look out over the North Sea from between Cowbar Nab and Penny Nab, and visitors can hunt for fossils along the beach below.

“In Ludlow, medieval architecture and Ludlow Castle still anchor the town’s presence, and the town is also known for the Ludlow Food Festival and its excellent food scene.”

Take a look at all of England’s “most breathtaking” towns and villages online now.

All the reasons Staithes is among England’s ‘most breathtaking’ villages

Commenting on Staithes, World Atlas wrote: “Staithes offers beach walks in a postcard setting and the chance to stay in a colourful cottage that used to be a fisherman’s home.

“Once you have settled in, make your way to The Staithes Museum to find out more about the village’s connections to Captain Cook and the Jurassic period that defined its surroundings.

“The museum also features a section with locally crafted products for purchase.”

In recent years, Staithes has also made headlines after being named one of Britain’s “little-known hip towns” as well as being praised for having one of the UK’s “cutest” harbours by the sea.

Not to mention, The Cod and Lobster in the village was hailed among the nation’s top pubs for a seaside pint last year.

However, Captain Cook isn’t the only famous person to have set foot in Staithes, as Last One Laughing’s Bob Mortimer also explored the coastal spot once upon a time.

Bob came to the area with his pal Paul Whitehouse back in 2020 when Staithes starred in the BBC’s Gone Christmas Fishing programme.

While filming the festive special five years ago, the comedy duo stayed in the Fisherman’s Cottage.

The cottage, which sleeps two in a “pretty” double bedroom with a small ensuite shower room, has a cosy beamed sitting room with an open fire and a “well-equipped” refurbished kitchen, reports Staithes Holidays.

It adds: “Fisherman’s enjoys a south-facing sun terrace with amazing views.”

Speaking at the time of Whitehouse and Mortimer’s visit, Sean Baxter, a tour guide and co-owner of Real Staithes, told The Guardian: “It’s a wonderful village becoming more and more touristic.

“It’s a lovely place to come and have a holiday.

“No candy floss and no McDonald’s, it’s very much an old-fashioned place to come and relax and have a wonderful time.”

Meanwhile, there’s one street that has made @adventures.in.yorkshire “fall in love” with Staithes – Gun Gutter.

The North Yorkshire content creator said in a TikTok video: “For generations, this snicket has echoed with the rhythm of coastal life.

“Fishermen once hauled their crab pots and nets up and down these stone steps, and even today you’ll often see them stacked against the walls, drying in the sea air.

“Lobster pots, ropes and floats line the lane much as they always have – a quiet reminder that Staithes is still a working fishing village, not just a pretty postcard.

“Gun Gutter was used as an escape route from press gangs and a hidden passage for smugglers, but it was also a lifeline – connecting homes to the harbour below.

“Artists later captured scenes like this in their paintings, drawn to the textures, light and everyday industry of village life.

“It’s not just a street you walk down — it’s a place that still feels lived in.”

Have you been to Staithes or any other villages and towns along the North Yorkshire coast recently? Let us know in the comments below.

I compared ‘ready to eat’ avocados from both budget supermarkets and found one was unripe for days, while the other was perfectly soft and creamy

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Avocados are one of the nation’s favourite fruits. They had an enormous surge in the 2010s across Britain, driven by the rise of wellness trends, when snapping a photo of your breakfast and sharing it on Instagram was all the rage.

Since then, they’ve remained a staple in countless weekly shopping trolleys, mine included. I eat avocado almost daily, whether paired with scrambled eggs on toast or added into a poke bowl with sticky rice, eggs and veg. Because of this habit, I’ve been on a mission to discover the best value avocados, lately pitting Aldi against Lidl in a head-to-head comparison.

I do much of my grocery shopping at these two retailers, partly because they’re both conveniently located nearby, but also because they’re brilliant for keeping costs down. I’ve discovered both Lidl and Aldi to be excellent for many weekly essentials, including Greek yoghurt, sourdough bread, salmon, eggs, coffee and oat milk.

But when it came to avocados, there was a striking difference in quality. One stubbornly refused to ripen whatsoever for more than a week, staying rock-solid with an unpleasant flavour when I finally got round to eating it. The other was beautifully soft and ready the very next day after bringing it home.

That unfortunate avocado came from Lidl. It cost me 75p, and was labelled as ‘ready to eat’ on the display, so naturally I brought it home anticipating exactly that.

However, that wasn’t the case. Looking back, I should have selected a different one, so I’m partly to blame for making a poor choice. This avocado was anything but ‘ready to eat’, not for at least a week anyway, reports the Express.

It remained rock solid for days on end, and while determining avocado ripeness can be tricky, this one was clearly nowhere near edible. I left it outside of the fridge, as recommended, but that did little to speed up the ripening.

When I finally sliced into it more than a week later, it gave off quite an earthy aroma, instantly signalling it still wasn’t properly ripe. The stone was also enormous, occupying most of the actual fruit, leaving minimal flesh when I scooped it out.

The taste was bitter as well, which I’d unfortunately expected.

In contrast, the Aldi avocado performed a lot better. Priced at 70p, making it cheaper than the Lidl option, it was also labelled ‘ripe and ready’.

Its flesh had a gentle give, without being excessively mushy. An avocado feeling overly squishy usually means it’s past its best, and you’ll discover it’s turned spoiled and brown inside when opened, which is always disappointing.

The line between ripe and overripe avocados is remarkably fine, requiring careful judgement. I cut into the Aldi version the following day after bringing it home, and was delighted to discover it was perfect inside.

It lacked that harsh, strange smell the Lidl version had, and the texture was far creamier as well. I found it simple to mash with a fork, while the alternative needed a lot more work.

How to tell if an avocado is ripe

To save anyone from repeating my error, here’s a straightforward way to quickly determine whether an avocado is ready before purchasing it at the shop.

According to experts at Aldi, when the avocado appears green and feels solid, it hasn’t quite ripened yet but is ideal for bringing home to ripen naturally over coming days.

On the other hand, if the outer layer is darker and gives somewhat under light pressure, that indicates it’s ready to eat right away.

The crucial point to bear in mind is using light pressure while testing firmness to prevent damaging the fruit and ruining its taste.

A single mum of three was moved to tears after receiving a ‘life-changing’ gift on Rich House, Poor House on Channel 5

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A single mother-of-three, struggling with mounting debts, was brought to tears after a millionaire invested £100,000 in her emerging restaurant business and cleared her debt on Rich House, Poor House.

Valerie Mayer, from Portsmouth, who balances raising her three children while working as a full-time carer, featured on the Channel 5 programme on Sunday (March 29) evening alongside mum Cleopatra.

The gifted home cook has always had dreams of opening a Zimbabwean restaurant in the UK, however with a weekly budget of merely £53 her lifelong dream has been sidelined as she struggles to stay afloat financially.

In a heartbreaking revelation, she confessed that she has received threats from debt collectors. She said: “My financial situation got so bad that I had bailiffs come in, and I just went into a state of panic. I was looking out of the windows to see if anyone was there. I got scared to leave the house.”

Experiencing how the wealthiest 1% live, Valerie exchanged homes for a week with tech startup millionaire Steve Bolton, who lived in a luxurious £1m, six-bedroom property in Bournemouth, reports the Mirror.

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The father-of-four left school at 16 without qualifications but established a business from the ground up, with his firm now holding a portfolio valued at £750m.

Given his demanding lifestyle as an entrepreneur, he missed out on precious time with his children, so he decided to invite his eldest daughter, marketing expert Ella, and his clothes shop owner son Charlie to accompany him on the programme.

The family swapped their home — complete with two lounges, a dining room for eight, six bedrooms and five bathrooms — for a week-long stay in Val’s council house, situated 60 miles along the coast.

While Steve and his two children were required to manage on a weekly budget of £51.93, Valerie and her mother were afforded a taste of affluent living with £2,000 to spend. Val and Cleopatra splashed out on expensive seafood, embarked on shopping trips and even enjoyed a day at the races.

Meanwhile, Steve and his family struggled to adjust to their new surroundings, and emotions ran high when Steve was visibly moved upon discovering the extent of Valerie’s debt.

It became apparent that Steve was determined to help Valerie turn her life around, and he had several surprises in store when the pair were finally reunited following their swap.

The millionaire not only pledged to invest £100,000 into her restaurant venture, but also cleared all her outstanding debts and had her garden transformed.

Seated across from one another, Steve told her: “We’ve been talking a lot about how we might be able to help you guys because that’s obviously a big part of what we want to do and we’ve thought about three things that we can do to help you.”

He went on to add: “The first one is already done and it’ll be a surprise when you get home, the second one is about your debt situation, so we wanted to get you out of debt and then the third thing is we want to back your vision, your dream, your passion and your talent for business.

“Support you financially, support you with mentoring, support you with anything and everything you need up to a value of £100,000.”

Visibly emotional, Valerie struggled to compose herself as she responded: “Oh, wow. I don’t even know…How do you say thank you? Thank you. Wow, this is amazing.”

With tears streaming down her face she said: “I’m feeling really overwhelmed right now. Happy tears. This can change mine in my family’s life. I really wanted this so much and I’m so glad that my family’s also going to be involved in this because it’s going to change everything for the better.”

Rich House, Poor House airs Sunday night from 9pm on Channel 5