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Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Lumiere 2023 reveals incredible full programme
28 Sep 2023
Today, the incredible full programme for Lumiere, the UK’s light art biennial, has been announced. From Thursday 16 - Sunday 19 November 2023, 16:30-23:00 each night, this beautiful medieval city will become a nocturnal art experience hosting works made with light on its streets, bridges,...
Read More about Lumiere 2023 reveals incredible full programmeFull steam ahead – 200 years of train travel to be marked with celebrations
28 Sep 2023
The two year countdown is on, to mark the bicentenary of the birth of the modern railway with celebrations throughout 2025. The Stockton & Darlington Railway opened on September 27, 1825, connecting places, people, communities and ideas and ultimately transforming the world. To mark the...
Read More about Full steam ahead – 200 years of train travel to be marked with celebrationsSin Exhibition hailed a success at The Auckland Project
27 Sep 2023
As the Sin: The Art of Transgression exhibition at The Auckland Project enters its final week on display, the regeneration charity in Bishop Auckland has hailed the exhibition a “unique and undeniable success”, welcoming over 6,000 visitors to the exhibition since it opened on 17th June. ...
Read More about Sin Exhibition hailed a success at The Auckland ProjectPurple Tuesday
27 Sep 2023
Purple Tuesday returns on 7th November 2023. The initiative inspires leadership and staff of organisations from all sectors and sizes to foster awareness, deepen understanding, and implement solutions for enhanced accessibility in their customer environments. Find out more and why you should take...
Read More about Purple TuesdayBusiness Growth Fund
27 Sep 2023
The Durham Business Growth Programme is now open for applications. Delivered by Business Durham in partnership with UMi Commercial and RTC North, the scheme is designed to support business growth and increase productivity, offering a selection of grants for eligible businesses, covering both...
Read More about Business Growth FundSeventh North Pennines stargazing festival programme launches
27 Sep 2023
The programme has been launched for this year’s celebration of the dark skies of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and UNESCO Global Geopark. The seventh North Pennines Stargazing Festival will run from 20 October to 5 November 2023, during the Autumn half term, and has...
Read More about Seventh North Pennines stargazing festival programme launchesGB Tourism Survey
20 Sep 2023
Latest statistics for January to March 2023 show Brits have spent on average 12% more per trip on their domestic holidays in England compared to the first three months of 2022. British residents spent on average £263 per trip in England from January to March 2023 with average trips in England...
Read More about GB Tourism SurveyWheelie Fab Times
20 Sep 2023
Recently, we invited David and Penny of Wheelie Fab Times to Durham for an action-packed, accessible staycation. You can find out about their experiences exploring some of Durham's top attractions and hear their thoughts on accessibility in the county in their blog on our consumer website. More...
Read More about Wheelie Fab TimesTXGB update
20 Sep 2023
eviivo and Bookalet users can now augment their booking reach and plug into a wider range of local, regional and national tourism bodies and channels thanks to new connections with TXGB. Connecting to TXGB is quick and easy - simply complete the short 'Get Started form here and the TXGB Customer...
Read More about TXGB updateBarnard Castle project welcomes their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to Raby Castle
14 Sep 2023
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke of Gloucester and Duchess of Gloucester visited County Durham, this week (13th September), to recognise the region’s longstanding commitment to traditional skills training and heritage restoration. As Patron of the Cultura Trust, the national charity which has...
Read More about Barnard Castle project welcomes their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to Raby CastleDDP update
13 Sep 2023
A reminder that the latest Destination Development Partnership update is being held online this Friday 15th September at 8:30am. Get the latest information on the government backed regional tourism pilot and how businesses can get involved. Reserve your place.
Read More about DDP updateCreate Growth Programme
13 Sep 2023
Are you a creative business in North East England and are looking to grow your business through investment? Create UK are now taking applications for their North East Create Growth Programme. This DCMS funded development programme provides bespoke mentoring, workshops and investor introduction.
Read More about Create Growth ProgrammeRegulatory updates
13 Sep 2023
Did you know that on 1st October two regulations that could effect your business come into effect - an extension on the ban on single use plastics, and new fire safety guidance for accommodation providers.
Read More about Regulatory updatesFunding win for Silver Swan conservation work
13 Sep 2023
The Bowes Museum has been awarded funding by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to carry out conservation work on the Museum's Silver Swan. The Silver Swan is one of the finest examples of 18th century automata in the world, a life-size, solid silver, replica of a female Swan containing 2,000...
Read More about Funding win for Silver Swan conservation workNew Christmas attraction will provide festive boost to Durham’s visitor economy
7 Sep 2023
Durham’s festive offer is now even brighter thanks to the creation of a new Christmas themed attraction. The Auckland Project is launching a brand new light trail, AGLOW, which promises to dazzle visitors to Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland this festive season. Featuring the tallest Christmas...
Read More about New Christmas attraction will provide festive boost to Durham’s visitor economy