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Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Industry
Four of North East England’s Tourism Trailblazers Announced as Finalists at National Awards
15 Apr 2024
A tranquil boat tour business, a luxury hotel, a fine-dining restaurant housed in a 13th century friary and a national park unsung-hero are among the finalists at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence which recognises exceptional visitor economy businesses and individuals from around the...
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Industry
More than 150 traders confirmed for Bishop Auckland Food Festival
10 Apr 2024
Curries, crepes, cocktails and mocktails will be among the mouthwatering delights on offer at next weekend’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival. Durham County Council, which organises the festival, has confirmed more than 150 traders from County Durham and beyond will be taking stalls at the event on...
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Industry
Specialist markets coming to 11 County Durham centres
5 Apr 2024
New markets ranging from street food to Christmas markets will be coming to locations across County Durham. Durham County Council has procured specialist social enterprise Baccanalia to organise bespoke markets at 11 centres across the county. Ranging from craft markets, street food, farmers’...
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Industry
DDP Update Reminder
3 Apr 2024
A reminder that the next Destination Development Partnership update is being held online on Thursday 18th April at 8:30am. Hear from Visitor Economy leaders on a range of topics and updates from the programmes being delivered as part of the Destination Development Partnership Pilot. Reserve your...
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Industry
Meet the Buyers
3 Apr 2024
Brought to you by Durham Business Growth and in conjunction with Visit County Durham a Meet the Buyers event for the visitor economy and hospitality industry is taking place on Tuesday 21st May 2024 at Hardwick Hall Hotel. Buyers will have the opportunity to meet relevant suppliers based in County...
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Industry
Day Visits Survey Results
27 Mar 2024
VisitEngland has published the 2023 results for the Great Britain Day Visits Survey. The survey shows that there were one billion day visits in England in 2023, up 8% vs 2022. Tourism spend was also up by 15% on 2022, with £44.4 billion spent in 2023.
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Industry
Majestic rare breed of horse arrives in County Durham meet Kynren's newest cast member
26 Mar 2024
A rare breed of horse that is listed as at-risk with less than 200 left in the world has become the newest cast member in an award-winning outdoor live theatre event. Knutsford Cosmopolitan – a majestic grey shire horse whose nickname is Cosmo – has been welcomed by the volunteer cast and crew...
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Industry
Council secures £500,000 for further restoration works at Killhope Lead Mining Museum
26 Mar 2024
Restoration works to “protect the future” of the popular Killhope Lead Mining Museum in Weardale are set to take place throughout this year, thanks to a funding boost. Durham County Council has secured £500,000 from the Government’s Cultural Investment Fund to carry out a series of urgent...
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Industry
North East’s world-class investment opportunities to go before a global audience at UKREiiF
22 Mar 2024
County Durham and Newcastle will join forces to fly the flag for the North East at a forthcoming trade conference attended by major developers and investors. Representatives from Durham County Council and Invest Newcastle will exhibit at the UK Real Estate & Infrastructure Investment Forum...
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Industry
Hundreds of tourism businesses gather at iconic music venue to double the size of visitor economy
22 Mar 2024
Collaboration, visitor experiences that make memories and ‘shy bairns get nowt’ – the core themes at the first-ever Destination North East England tourism conference. This landmark visitor economy industry event Destination 2034 took over the iconic Glasshouse International Centre for Music...
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Industry
Waybeams renewal project successfully completed ahead of schedule 22 March, Stanhope, Weardale
21 Mar 2024
Weardale Railway is thrilled to announce the successful completion of the Waybeams Renewal Project, marking a significant milestone for the heritage railway company. The project, which commenced on 26th February, has been finished ahead of schedule, ensuring smooth operations in time for the Easter...
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Industry
11 million Brits plan a UK holiday trip for the Easter weekend, bringing a £3.2 billion economic boost
21 Mar 2024
VisitEngland’s Easter Trip Tracker survey, published today, indicates that 11 million Brits are definitely planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK for the Easter weekend, bringing an estimated £3.2 billion boost to the economy. The figures show a significant increase on last year’s Easter...
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Industry
Familiarisation Visit
20 Mar 2024
The Auckland Project, in conjunction with Visit County Durham, is holding a familiarisation visit to Auckland Castle, Gardens and Faith Museum as part of their Accommodation Partner Scheme. The visit will take place on Thursday 18th April 2024 from 10:00am to 1:30pm (booking required). Becoming an...
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Industry
1500 hours of painstaking work with several thousand parts make a working SilverSwan
20 Mar 2024
After more than 1500 hours of painstaking work carried out by specialist horologists, TheBowes Museum's iconic 250 year old life size Silver Swan, the only one in the world, is setto wow audiences once again as she comes back to life in her true form for the first time infour years. Visitors to the...
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Industry
Europe’s largest collection of historic rail vehicles assembled at Locomotion
15 Mar 2024
Locomotion in Shildon, County Durham is to undertake the museum’s biggest ever rail shunt to create Europe’s largest undercover display of historic rail vehicles. Managed by specialist teams from Locomotion and the National Railway Museum, the shunt will see 46 vehicles (and one road vehicle)...
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