Town Hall - County Durham

We had booked the function room for our 40th wedding anniversary party, but 2 weeks before the party, we found out that the venue event organisers, Oldfields, had gone bankrupt. With people coming from all around the country, we were worried, and I contacted the Town Council who told me they were trying to arrange a new events company to take over. There were a few anxious days while this was sorted out, but with just about a week to go, the council told us that a new company had been agreed. The company employed many of the same staff so that the arrangements carried on, unchanged,, and the evening was a great success. Many thanks to the council, particularly Judith, and to the new events company, especially Colin and Emma, for resolving this. We had a great time, the venue is good, food and celebration fizz were plentiful, DJ played music from our chosen playlist and fitted in with the band we had arranged. separately. Great work.

Paid less than £13 for a Groupon afternoon tea voucher at Seaham Town Hall. We booked in for 4pm but arrived several hours early and was served. Sandwiches and cakes were lovely. Only criticism was we weren't asked if we required refill on our pot of tea. Would visit again if in the area.

My son and his fiance (at that time) were let down by their chosen wedding venue approx 3 month before the 'big day '. Oldfields who deal with the wedding and events management at Seaham Town Hall contacted them and explained that the Town Hall already had a wedding booked for their date but offered their 'sister venue ' at Seaton Holme in Easington Village. What a choice!! From start to finish their co-ordinator was so helpful. On the big day the staff were fab, polite, attentive were needed and so obliging and the food, both afternoon and night was wonderful. Our only main concern was the 'mobile bar '. It was not vastly stocked but someone was sent for supplies regularly to please our guests and everyone was kept happy. Nothing was too much trouble and when the weather is good they have a large lawn area at the front of the building where adults and children alike can play!! Definitely recommend this venue and events team to anyone wanting a fab, trouble free wedding Many thanks Oldfields, we had an amazing day with you.

Attended a christening here and was looking forward to sampling the buffet which I had been informed was provided by the well known Oldfields of Durham. I could not have been more disappointed, the buffet was probably the worst I've had with undercooked burgers, stale pizza and not a sausage roll in site! Would not recommend eating here at all!

This is the letter I wrote to which I still haven 't had an acknowledgment please avoid even if using a Groupon To whom it may concern I feel compelled to let you know, that today i had intended treating my mam and mother in law to Afternoon Tea at your establishment. I booked at least a week in advance, to ensure we could go on this particular day and time. Upon entering the very small 'cafe ' was empty with a young girl set behind the counter along with the cake stand already wrapped in cellophane. I handed over my groupon voucher which was for two people and i asked if i could order a drink and something to eat separately. I looked in the display case and was horrified to see a plate of cooked sausages and burgers waiting to be reheated i guess on request. A big packet of the cheapest Tesco everyday ham, and a plate of shredded lettuce that looked more brown than green. The menu board had offered things like corned beef slice, chips, etc. although i was told these weren 't available? I settled for a tuna sandwich no salad! when all the mismatched cups and saucers were brought over some were sent back as they were unclean. there was a radio playing pretty loud music positioned directly behind us and after about 5 minutes i turned this down as we were struggling to hold a conversation then the cake stand arrived sandwiches egg mayo and tuna which had almost certainly been made the day before, the thinnest shop bought victoria sandwich cake i have ever seen, a few token grapes dotted about that had seen better days, and the best of all 2 scones which were so hard they were almost impossible to cut, inedible, and as hard as cinder toffee, this for me was the last straw, i took them to the girl server and asked if there were any other scones, to be told no basically... a cafe with no scones we were offered a piece of carrot cake instead but declined. We decided to cut our losses and head off i paid for my sandwich and tea, and i did leave a tip for the server as i was feeling sorry for her by this point. I wouldn 't recommend this place as there are far better afternoon tea venues across the area to visit. i felt so bad as this was supposed to be a treat for 2 elderly ladies, but turned out an embarrassment on my part. Cant believe this has anything to do with Oldfields restaurants, which i used to visit regularly in Claypath, Durham. To rectify this i would like you to consider a refund of the price of the groupon voucher and also the cost of the additional food purchased on the day. if you are not prepared to extend this courtesy as a matter of goodwill i may need to consider my next steps I would be prepared to accept a replacement meal/visit as recompense. i await you comments with interest Come on sort this out!!!