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All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Industry
Dalton Park Enhances its Premium Fashion Line-Up with New Belstaff Store
11 May 2026
Dalton Park Outlet, the North East’s largest outlet shopping destination, is set to welcome leading British fashion brand, Belstaff in June. The announcement cements Dalton Park’s position as a premier shopping destination, offering a compelling mix of highly sought-after brands at unbeatable...
Read More about Dalton Park Enhances its Premium Fashion Line-Up with New Belstaff StoreOpening date confirmed for Bishop Auckland Bus Station
8 May 2026
A brand-new bus station for Bishop Auckland is set to open this weekend. Durham County Council will officially open the new Bishop Auckland Bus Station to the public this Sunday, 10 May. Built on the site of the former station on Saddler Street, in the town centre, the new transport hub will be a...
Read More about Opening date confirmed for Bishop Auckland Bus StationRamside Hall Climbs the Ranks with NCG 100 Resorts Recognition
8 May 2026
Ramside Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort has firmly established itself among the UK’s leading golf and leisure destinations, securing its place in the prestigious NCG 100 Resorts list – a significant recognition of its continued rise, investment and...
Read More about Ramside Hall Climbs the Ranks with NCG 100 Resorts RecognitionItalian Restaurant Owners Bring New Café Experience to Durham Dales Centre
1 May 2026
Visitors to the Durham Dales Centre can look forward to a new Italian-inspired café, as a well-established family-run restaurant business prepares to open its latest venture at the popular Weardale destination. The new café is being launched by Admir Meshi, known as Alberto, and Arsen Shehu,...
Read More about Italian Restaurant Owners Bring New Café Experience to Durham Dales CentreDurham Champions come together at Auckland Tower
30 Apr 2026
Our Durham Story continues to gain momentum as partners from across the county gathered for the fourth Durham Champions meeting at Auckland Tower. The event, which took place on Wednesday, 29 April, brought together ambassadors committed to sharing the Durham Story, in an exciting new...
Read More about Durham Champions come together at Auckland TowerCounty continues partnership with Durham’s first professional women’s cricket team
30 Apr 2026
Showcasing our shared passion and determination, a successful partnership between the county and Durham’s first professional women’s cricket team continues in 2026. As part of this ongoing collaboration, the county’s new place brand, ‘Our Durham Story’, will work in partnership with the...
Read More about County continues partnership with Durham’s first professional women’s cricket teamVisit County Durham Launches Dedicated Travel Trade Brochure
24 Apr 2026
Visit County Durham has launched its first dedicated Travel Trade brochure, created to support and inspire coach and tour operators, travel agents, and group travel organisers. Designed specifically for travel trade partners, the brochure brings together...
Read More about Visit County Durham Launches Dedicated Travel Trade BrochureTEDxDurhamUniversity Returns to Durham with Inspiring Line-Up of Global Speakers
24 Apr 2026
Durham, United Kingdom – 2 May 2026 — TEDxDurhamUniversity is set to return on Saturday 2 May 2026 at Redhills Miners Hall, bringing together an exceptional line-up of speakers from academia, industry, and public life for an afternoon of ideas, innovation, and thought-provoking discussion....
Read More about TEDxDurhamUniversity Returns to Durham with Inspiring Line-Up of Global SpeakersTop street bands lined up for Durham Brass Festival
24 Apr 2026
One of the region’s liveliest music festivals is bringing the party to the streets once again this summer and everyone is invited. Streets of Brass will return to Durham City on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July as part of Durham Brass Festival, a highlight of Durham County Council’s festival and...
Read More about Top street bands lined up for Durham Brass FestivalSt George’s Day celebrations across County Durham
20 Apr 2026
Celebrations are taking place across County Durham this week to mark St George’s Day. Durham County Council has organised a range of family-friendly activities to celebrate St George’s Day on Thursday (23 April). The day itself will be marked with a series of engaging activities designed to...
Read More about St George’s Day celebrations across County DurhamBishop Auckland Food Festival 2026: a roaring success
20 Apr 2026
Organisers have hailed Bishop Auckland Food Festival a resounding success after the event filled tummies and put smiles on faces once again. The free-to-attend Durham County Council event took place Saturday and Sunday 18 and 19 April and saw crowds flocking into the town’s Market Place both...
Read More about Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2026: a roaring successConstruction of new County Durham cultural venue complete
16 Apr 2026
Work to create a new cultural venue and tourist attraction in Durham City has reached an important milestone, with the main construction phase now complete. Set to open this summer, The Light represents a major investment in creativity, culture and community. It will bring together art, history and...
Read More about Construction of new County Durham cultural venue complete
Industry
Leading UK florist inspires students during visit to East Durham College ahead of RHS Chelsea Flower Show
14 Apr 2026
Students at East Durham College received expert guidance from one of the UK’s most celebrated florists during a special visit to the college’s Houghall Campus yesterday (19 March). Renowned floral designer Simon Lycett—known for his work on royal events, with high-profile clients including...
Read More about Leading UK florist inspires students during visit to East Durham College ahead of RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Industry
VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 venue and date announced
13 Apr 2026
VisitEngland has today, 9 April, announced that this year’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence will be held at Aerospace Bristol, under the wings of Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the supersonic passenger jet, on 3 June. Finalists from 21 local competitions will win Gold, Silver...
Read More about VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 venue and date announcedLatest edition of the Durham Pocket Guide published
7 Apr 2026
The 2026 edition of the official visitor guide for the county, the Durham Pocket Guide, is now being distributed across the county, offering visitors and residents alike inspiring information to help them make the most of their time in the county. The guide showcases outstanding...
Read More about Latest edition of the Durham Pocket Guide published