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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

Seaham Food Festival dates confirmed – trader applications open now

3 Dec 2024

Though the weather might be getting colder, organisers of one of the region’s biggest summer food festivals have announced dates for next year. Durham County Council has confirmed that Seaham Food Festival will return for 2025, on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August. The festival welcomes thousands of...

Industry

England's Historic Cities launch new travel trade itineraries and resource

28 Nov 2024

A new England Originals Travel Trade Guide, brought to you by England’s Historic Cities, has been launched this autumn. England’s Historic Cities is a consortium of 13 Historic Cities in England, including Bath, Cambridge, Canterbury, Carlisle, Chester, Durham, Greenwich, Lancaster,...

Industry

Save the Date

27 Nov 2024

Join us in celebrating the incredible and diverse tourism businesses in our region at the 2025 North East England Tourism Awards ceremony taking place on Thursday 20 March 2025 at Newcastle Civic Centre. We look forward to seeing you next March! Buy your tickets.

Industry

Views on Bishop Auckland

27 Nov 2024

Residents and businesses are being asked to have their say on their feelings for and interactions with Bishop Auckland to help support its ongoing regeneration. Durham County Council has launched a consultation to gather views on how people who live or work in, or visit Bishop Auckland feel about...

Industry

Town Hall Closure

27 Nov 2024

Durham Town Hall has closed until spring/summer next year as Durham County Council carries out essential repairs. Working with specialist heritage consultants and contractors, the restoration includes lime render to internal walls, improved drainage capacities, and modifications and repairs to the...

Industry

Host & Stay expands UK portfolio with acquisition of Peak Staycations and Peak Cottage Management

27 Nov 2024

Leading UK based short-term rental management company, Host & Stay, have announced another acquisition, with Peak Staycations and Peak Cottage Management joining their growing portfolio of over 1,500 exclusively managed properties. This marks the company’s fifth acquisition of 2024, further...

Industry

Durham’s Faru Restaurant scoops national award

26 Nov 2024

The team behind Durham’s Michelin-recommended restaurant is celebrating after winning a national award. Durham's Faru was voted Front of House Team of the Year at The Staff Canteen Awards and owners Laura and Jake Siddle say they are delighted with the accolade. Faru was the only restaurant from...

Industry

First look: Bishop Auckland's Aglow lights up for festive season

25 Nov 2024

The first visitors to Auckland Palace’s illuminated outdoor trail ALGOWwere dazzled by the new installations as the popular spectacle returns to Bishop Auckland for 2024. An updated route and five glittering new light displays illuminated the picturesque parkland, as well as the new...

Industry

Un-Belle-evable start to Gala Durham’s panto season

22 Nov 2024

Audiences have been transported into a world of magic, music and merriment as Gala Durham marks the start of the festive season. The Durham County Council venue has started its run of the un-Belle-evable Beauty and the Beast pantomime, offering a magical twist on the classic tale. Audiences...

Industry

English Tourism Week

20 Nov 2024

The annual campaign to celebrate the English tourism sector, English Tourism Week, will return 14-23 March 2025. Led by VisitEngland, the campaign highlights to government and stakeholders the invaluable contributions the sector makes to the English economy, around £70.5 billion (GDP), while...

Industry

How's Business?

20 Nov 2024

Please spare five minutes of your time to answer Visit County Durham How's Business Survey. The results of the survey are used to help us analyse business performance in the County. The questions cover bookings, main concerns, projected Christmas performance 2024 and plans for investment. There is...

Industry

Expansion of Sniperley Park and Ride complete

19 Nov 2024

Hundreds of additional parking bays are now available at a Durham City park and ride site following a £2 million expansion scheme. Durham County Council has created an extra 261 bays at Sniperley Park and Ride, bringing the total number available to 587. This includes 28 disabled bays, 14 electric...

Industry

Magna Carta to go on display at Durham Cathedral in 2025 for 800th anniversary

18 Nov 2024

Three rare Magna Cartas will go on display next summer at Durham Cathedral to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the 1225 issue in the cathedral's collection. Next summer, Durham Cathedral will be displaying its three rare Magna Cartas for the first time in eight years for the 800th anniversary of...

Industry

New Bishop Auckland festive attraction opens to public

15 Nov 2024

Christmas at the Palace, a brand-new yuletide experience at Auckland Palace in County Durham, has opened its doors heralding the start of Christmas. The first visitors entered the festive wonderland on its opening day, Friday 15th November, and were greeted with decadent decorations fit for a...

Industry

Nearly £1m funding to restore rare County Durham habitat

14 Nov 2024

A project to restore 213 hectares of rare coastal habitat in County Durham has been launched with nearly £1m of funding. Durham County Council has partnered with the National Trust and Durham Wildlife Trust to deliver the Coastal Grasslands Reconnected Project. The project, which has received...