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All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.

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Format: 29-12-2023

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Format: 30-12-2023

Industry

Save the Date

27 Nov 2024

Join us in celebrating the incredible and diverse tourism businesses in our region at the 2025 North East England Tourism Awards ceremony taking place on Thursday 20 March 2025 at Newcastle Civic Centre. We look forward to seeing you next March! Buy your tickets.

Industry

Views on Bishop Auckland

27 Nov 2024

Residents and businesses are being asked to have their say on their feelings for and interactions with Bishop Auckland to help support its ongoing regeneration. Durham County Council has launched a consultation to gather views on how people who live or work in, or visit Bishop Auckland feel about...

Industry

Town Hall Closure

27 Nov 2024

Durham Town Hall has closed until spring/summer next year as Durham County Council carries out essential repairs. Working with specialist heritage consultants and contractors, the restoration includes lime render to internal walls, improved drainage capacities, and modifications and repairs to the...

Visit County Durham

Next Stop Durham

27 Nov 2024

Visit County Durham's latest national marketing campaign 'Next Stop Durham' is underway. Running from autumn 2024 to spring 2025, the campaign aims to inspire those who have travelled through the county by rail or road, but never visited, to stay. Activity includes advertising on the London...

Industry

Host & Stay expands UK portfolio with acquisition of Peak Staycations and Peak Cottage Management

27 Nov 2024

Leading UK based short-term rental management company, Host & Stay, have announced another acquisition, with Peak Staycations and Peak Cottage Management joining their growing portfolio of over 1,500 exclusively managed properties. This marks the company’s fifth acquisition of 2024, further...

Industry

Durham’s Faru Restaurant scoops national award

26 Nov 2024

The team behind Durham’s Michelin-recommended restaurant is celebrating after winning a national award. Durham's Faru was voted Front of House Team of the Year at The Staff Canteen Awards and owners Laura and Jake Siddle say they are delighted with the accolade. Faru was the only restaurant from...

Industry

First look: Bishop Auckland's Aglow lights up for festive season

25 Nov 2024

The first visitors to Auckland Palace’s illuminated outdoor trail ALGOWwere dazzled by the new installations as the popular spectacle returns to Bishop Auckland for 2024. An updated route and five glittering new light displays illuminated the picturesque parkland, as well as the new...

Industry

Un-Belle-evable start to Gala Durham’s panto season

22 Nov 2024

Audiences have been transported into a world of magic, music and merriment as Gala Durham marks the start of the festive season. The Durham County Council venue has started its run of the un-Belle-evable Beauty and the Beast pantomime, offering a magical twist on the classic tale. Audiences...

Visit County Durham

Durham sees growth in group travel

21 Nov 2024

Group travel and the travel trade represent a key market for the county, with this segment often requiring accommodation and visiting multiple attractions during their stay. For over 10 years Visit County Durham has ran the Discover Durham groups and travel trade consortium, representing...

Industry

English Tourism Week

20 Nov 2024

The annual campaign to celebrate the English tourism sector, English Tourism Week, will return 14-23 March 2025. Led by VisitEngland, the campaign highlights to government and stakeholders the invaluable contributions the sector makes to the English economy, around £70.5 billion (GDP), while...

Industry

How's Business?

20 Nov 2024

Please spare five minutes of your time to answer Visit County Durham How's Business Survey. The results of the survey are used to help us analyse business performance in the County. The questions cover bookings, main concerns, projected Christmas performance 2024 and plans for investment. There is...

Visit County Durham

Campaign Success

20 Nov 2024

Research has shown that Do Durham Differently, Visit County Durham's national destination marketing campaign, contributed an estimated £103m in visitor spend - over 8% of the county's total annual economic impact. The campaign, which ran from autumn 2023 to spring 2024, was delivered in...

Industry

Expansion of Sniperley Park and Ride complete

19 Nov 2024

Hundreds of additional parking bays are now available at a Durham City park and ride site following a £2 million expansion scheme. Durham County Council has created an extra 261 bays at Sniperley Park and Ride, bringing the total number available to 587. This includes 28 disabled bays, 14 electric...

Industry

Magna Carta to go on display at Durham Cathedral in 2025 for 800th anniversary

18 Nov 2024

Three rare Magna Cartas will go on display next summer at Durham Cathedral to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the 1225 issue in the cathedral's collection. Next summer, Durham Cathedral will be displaying its three rare Magna Cartas for the first time in eight years for the 800th anniversary of...

Industry

New Bishop Auckland festive attraction opens to public

15 Nov 2024

Christmas at the Palace, a brand-new yuletide experience at Auckland Palace in County Durham, has opened its doors heralding the start of Christmas. The first visitors entered the festive wonderland on its opening day, Friday 15th November, and were greeted with decadent decorations fit for a...