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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
Format: 30-12-2023
Making County Durham filming friendly 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...

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The rising stars of Raby Estates' renovation programme 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...

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£2.25 million boost for the region’s tourism industry as North East announced as the first ever Destination Development Partnership pilot in England Visit County Durham

£2.25 million boost for the region’s tourism industry as North East announced as the first ever Destination Development Partnership pilot in England

25 Nov 2022

The North East has been chosen for the first regional tourism pilot receiving £2.25 million from national government covering a period to March 2025.  ‘The partnership will see Visit County Durham working alongside NewcastleGateshead Initiative and VisitNorthumberland, on behalf of the...

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Tourism Superstar Visit County Durham

Tourism Superstar

23 Nov 2022

2023 will be the 11th year for VisitEngland's Tourism Superstar competition which recognises the dedication and passion of those working in the tourism industry. Run in partnership with the Mirror newspaper, the campaign recognises and celebrates those in the industry who go the extra mile to...

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VE Occupancy data Visit County Durham

VE Occupancy data

23 Nov 2022

VisitEngland has published September's serviced accommodation occupancy report. Every month, the England Occupancy Survey (EOS) measures bedroom and bedspace occupancy across the serviced accommodation sector, including mostly hotels, with a very small proportion of serviced apartments and larger...

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Energy support guide Visit County Durham

Energy support guide

23 Nov 2022

UKHospitality has made its information and guidance on energy support available to non-members to help businesses during the cost of living crisis. Resources include an energy bill calculator and a Q&A information sheet. The information and guidance was previously available to UKHospitality...

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Small Business Saturday Visit County Durham

Small Business Saturday

23 Nov 2022

Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and support small businesses in their communities. This year, the day itself takes place on 3rd December, but the campaign aims to have a lasting...

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

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

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Campaign update Visit County Durham

Campaign update

16 Nov 2022

A month into our Memorable Moments campaign and the content hub on thisisdurham.com has already received over 2,500 page views since it launched on 7th October. Following a full page advertorial in the Guardian's Travel Guide, online advertorials have been placed in the Manchester Evening News and...

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Lighting up lives: Lumiere announces 2023 dates 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...

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Christmas Advent Calendar Visit County Durham

Christmas Advent Calendar

9 Nov 2022

Visit County Durham is once again producing a 'Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar' to provide Partners with a promotional platform. Each day during December a new door will be opened on the digital calendar, hosted on thisisdurham.com, revealing a different competition prize or offer. The...

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Virtual tours Industry

Virtual tours

9 Nov 2022

VCD Partners Farnley Tower, Thomas Wright House, Grassholme Observatory and Gala Durham are amongst businesses that enhance their marketing content to visitors by offering a 3D virtual tour developed by our Supplier Partner 3D Virtual Spaces. Virtual tours allow potential visitors to see your...

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Funding opportunity Industry

Funding opportunity

9 Nov 2022

SME's based in County Durham could access up to 40% funding for business improvement projects costing between £2,500 and £8,000 (maximum grant of £3,200) from The North East Business Support Fund. The grant can be used for any type of business support that will help your business grow. The...

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Big investment for culture in County Durham Industry

Big investment for culture in County Durham

7 Nov 2022

Organisations across County Durham will be supported in delivering key cultural events and attractions after being successful in bids for funding. The Arts Council selected County Durham as one of 54 Priority Places in the UK where it has announced it will be focusing its investment. Durham County...

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