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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

Renowned Earth artwork, Gaia, coming to Durham Cathedral this summer

20 Jan 2023

This summer, Durham Cathedral will be giving visitors an out-of-this-world experience as Gaia, Luke Jerram’s replica artwork of planet Earth, lands in the cathedral. From 10 July - 10 September, visitors to Durham Cathedral will be able to experience the Earth as it’s seen from space as the...

Industry

Brilliant 2023

18 Jan 2023

Applications for the BRILLIANT artwork commissioning scheme are now open. This is your chance to become a Lumiere Durham artist in 2023! Be part of the bold and ambitious Lumiere programme, part of Durham County Culture. You don't need to be a practising artist or have any previous experience to...

Industry

Plan Ahead!

18 Jan 2023

There's a lot going on across County Durham in 2023 which can be used in your own marketing activity and give your customers a reason to visit and perhaps stay longer. From Fire & Ice to Wolsingham Show, and of course, the return of Lumiere, check out the events happening over the coming year....

Industry

Dalton Park toasts record breaking 2022

12 Jan 2023

Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination ended 2022 on a high with a record year for sales. Like for like sales across the year were up 14.5 percent vs 2019, the last comparable year due to the pandemic. The results come following an incredible 2022 for the outlet shopping destination as it bounced...

Industry

Inbound Tourism Forecast

12 Jan 2023

VisitBritain has published the 2023 forecast for inbound visits and spend which shows that spending by international visitors in the UK is forecast to reach £29.5 billion, up 4% on the all-time spending high of £28.4 billion in 2019. Overseas visits to the UK are predicted to rise to 35.1...

Industry

Rising to the challenge together

11 Jan 2023

Growing Durham’s visitor economy is a key priority for Visit County Durham. Here two of the destination management organisation’s board directors give their insights into the importance of investing in tourism and why a partnership approach is always best. With a wealth of experience in...

Industry

A66 update

19 Dec 2022

National Highways has issued a December update for the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project. It includes information about the milestones the team have reached over the last few months as well as what will be happening next year. If planning is approved, the project will start in 2024 and will dual...

Industry

PAM Assist

19 Dec 2022

PAM Assist, supported by Durham County Council, provides businesses in the county with access to a free, confidential assistance programme for their employees. With ever-increasing pressures at work and home, there are times when we all need some extra support to balance the demands of everyday...

Industry

Reopening date confirmed for Bishop Auckland’s Park Head Hotel

19 Dec 2022

The Auckland Project has announced the much-anticipated reopening date for the Park Head Hotel and Restaurant in Bishop Auckland. The regeneration charity, which works to bring about positive and lasting change for those living, working and visiting Bishop Auckland, purchased the popular hotel and...

Industry

‘Tis the season to celebrate sustainably - Dalton Park ‘switches on’ to sugarcane and recycled bottles

5 Dec 2022

Dalton Park is living its sustainable values this Christmas with incredible festive displays made from sugar cane and recycled bottles. A giant light-up polar bear, Santa's selfie sleigh, a 6-metre Christmas tree and a sparkly, snowflake-filled walk-through arch are entirely recyclable and...

Industry

Making County Durham filming friendly

29 Nov 2022

A North East council’s pledge to make Durham filming friendly will ensure the county continues to benefit from the rising popularity of screen tourism. Durham County Council has signed a filming friendly charter with North East Screen in order to help the TV and film industry grow across the...

Industry

The rising stars of Raby Estates' renovation programme

29 Nov 2022

Raby Castle and Estate, in the heart of County Durham is supporting the expertise of local contractors in all areas of its five-year renovation scheme known as The Rising, as well as across the Estate’s agricultural enterprises. The Rising, which began its works in 2021 will see the...

Industry

North East artists to transform historic estate into a land of enchantment

22 Nov 2022

One of the North East’s leading heritage attractions is promising to light up Christmas with the return of a popular festive light trail, showcasing ambitious new outdoor artworks by regional artists. Illuminating Ushaw: Land of Enchantment will take visitors on a captivating journey around Ushaw...

Industry

Grade One Listed Gainford Hall removed from Historic England at Risk Register

17 Nov 2022

Grade one listed Gainford Hall has been successfully removed from the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register following restoration works by Raby Estates. This important step in The Rising, the five-year Raby Estates redevelopment plan, marks a turning point, as Raby delivers on its first...

Industry

Lighting up lives: Lumiere announces 2023 dates

15 Nov 2022

Tuesday 15 November 2022. Today marks one year until the return of Lumiere, the UK’s light art biennial. The free-to-attend, four-day event will take place from 16-19 November 2023 in Durham. Produced by leading arts producers Artichoke and commissioned by Durham County Council, Lumiere will...