Media Room
Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Industry
National Accessible Scheme
11 May 2022
VisitEngland is undertaking a review of the National Accessible Scheme (NAS). The NAS is a long-running voluntary scheme that helps accommodation proprietors in England to develop and promote their true level of accessibility. They are keen to receive the views of suppliers and others working in...
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Visit County Durham
How's Business Survey
11 May 2022
Following the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years, the visitor economy has entered the recovery phase. Understanding the ongoing impact on business performance and recovery helps us to review the work needed to support the industry. Therefore we would appreciate your time to complete our...
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Visit County Durham
City of Culture 2025 Panel Visit
11 May 2022
The judging panel for UK City of Culture 2025 were welcomed to the county yesterday. An exciting and immersive timetable of activities was arranged for the judges, including visits to Redhills, the historic home of the Durham Miners' Association; Dawdon on the east coast of the county to meet...
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Industry
Ramside Spa named one of the best in the country
11 May 2022
County Durham's luxurious Ramside Spa has been named one of the best in the UK at the beauty industry’s equivalent of the Oscars. The spa, at Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa, took ‘Highly Commended’ in the Large Spa of the Year category at the British Association of Beauty Therapy and...
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Industry
Name for new County Durham history centre revealed
9 May 2022
The name for a new history centre for County Durham has been revealed. The centre, which is currently under construction and due to open to the public in 2023, is to be called The Story at Mount Oswald. The project brings the Grade II listed Mount Oswald Manor House back into use, while the...
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Visit County Durham
We're hiring!
5 May 2022
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Apprentice to join the Marketing and Communications team within Visit County Durham. The role will cover the full range of relevant disciplines including support with marketing campaigns, social media, e-CRM activity, press launches, photo calls, press...
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Industry
Trader pitch applications deadline
5 May 2022
Seaham Food Festival 2022 is taking place Saturday 6th August and Sunday 7th August and there is still time for Traders to secure a pitch at the festival. Applications are welcome from Traders who offer quality artisan products that will appeal to festival visitors. The food festival is a popular...
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Industry
National consumer sentiment tracker
5 May 2022
Wave 45 of the VisitEngland commissioned national Consumer Sentiment Tracker has been published covering fieldwork undertaken 1st-7th April. The survey addresses such areas as current attitude to travel and when visitors plan to book. Headline results show 60% of UK adults are planning on taking an...
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Visit County Durham
National Awards finalists named
5 May 2022
The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2022 finalists have been announced with congratulations and good luck going to our Strategic Partners, Hotel Indigo Durham (Large Hotel of the Year) and Seaham Hall (Small Hotel of the Year) who will be flying the flag for County Durham and North East...
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Visit County Durham
Well done!
27 Apr 2022
Congratulations to VCD Partner The Kingslodge Inn, part of the Inn Collection Group, on being voted as the best pub in County Durham at the National Pub and Bar Awards 2022. The awards look to put businesses across the UK in the national spotlight, showcasing the hospitality industry's diversity,...
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Industry
Financial Wellbeing Programme
27 Apr 2022
The Financial Ability project works closely with County Durham businesses to help improve the financial wellbeing of their staff. The project helps businesses formalise the work they are often already doing around staff wellbeing but includes financial resilience. T o find out more and arrange for...
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Visit County Durham
Tourism Sentiment Report
27 Apr 2022
The Visit County Durham commissioned Tourism Sentiment report for March is now available, providing valuable insights for the county's tourism businesses. The score measures Durham's ability to generate positive word of mouth about our tourism offer through online conversations. This month, the...
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Industry
Carbon Calculator launched
27 Apr 2022
In collaboration with UKHospitality and the British Beer and Pub Association, The Zero Carbon Forum has launched a Hospitality and Brewing Calculator and Toolkit powered by Sky Zero. The calculator allows hospitality businesses to calculate their current carbon emissions to then produce a report...
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Industry
Local school children become Raby Rebels for the afternoon with exclusive first visit to new adventure playground
26 Apr 2022
An entire class of students from Cockfield Primary School in Bishop Auckland were the first children in the county to test drive Raby Castle’s much-awaited new playground in the trees, The Plotters’ Forest, before it opens to the public at Easter. Over thirty Class 4 students and their...
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Industry
PAM Assist
13 Apr 2022
PAM Assist, supported by Durham County Council, provides businesses in the county with access to the free PAM Assist confidential employee assistance programme for their employees. Trained counsellors are on hand to help with a range of topics, including wellbeing and financial concerns. Call...
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