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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

ETW Toolkit

26 Feb 2024

English Tourism Week takes place 15-24th March and the campaign toolkit is now available for you to download. Designed to kickstart the summer season, the annual campaign gives businesses and destinations an opportunity to shout about tourism as part of a national campaign, and raise awareness of...

Industry

Destination 2034

26 Feb 2024

On Monday 18th March from 9:30am, Destination North East England will be taking over Gateshead's iconic Glasshouse ICM for its first Destination 2034 Conference, as industry trailblazers, business leaders and visitor economy professionals join together for a day of inspiring panels, talks and...

Industry

Three more celebrity chefs confirmed for Bishop Auckland Food Festival

26 Feb 2024

A BBC Saturday Kitchen presenter, an award-winning chef and a food content creator with millions of TikTok views will headline the Sunday cookery demonstration slots at this year’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival weekend. The festival, organised by Durham County Council, pulled in an estimated...

Industry

Return of the Vikings!

26 Feb 2024

A Viking village, complete with cookhouse, cottages and a working blacksmith’s forge, is being recreated as part of a spectacular live outdoor theatre production in County Durham. Taking place every Saturday night from 27th July to 14th September*, ‘Kynren – an epic tale of England’ is a...

Industry

Help Amy become England’s Tourism Superstar and vote today!

26 Feb 2024

Amy Whitfield, owner of Triple A Food Tours is in the running to be named England’s Tourism Superstar 2024, but she needs your vote! Voting is now open for the VisitEngland Tourism Superstar title and Amy, is one of 10 superstars from around the country who are all competing for the prestigious...

Industry

The Story to open this summer

16 Feb 2024

A brand-new visitor attraction telling the tale of County Durham’s heritage will open this summer. Durham County Council has confirmed that The Story, based at Mount Oswald in Durham City, is scheduled to the public from Friday 14 June. A brand-new cultural venue and register office for Durham...

Industry

Fire and Ice

16 Feb 2024

Durham's spectacular Fire and Ice festival is set to return this half term – and visitors to the city can expect to be dazzled by a ‘star-studded’ line-up. Organised by Durham BID, the event – which takes place from 10am to 5.45pm on Friday, February 23rd and Saturday 24th, will feature 14...

Industry

Hotel Room Occupancy report

14 Feb 2024

Hotel Room Occupancy in England for December 2023 was up on December 2022, and also up on 2019 for the first time since the pandemic. Great news to see North East England recording the highest growth alongside London and the North West. Read the full VisitEngland latest Hotel Occupancy data...

Industry

Raby Castle vacancies

14 Feb 2024

Ahead of the opening of its new visitor experience this spring, Raby Castle is advertising for several new job vacancies. A key area of the restoration project is the recreation of the historic glass house into a beautiful dining destination with stunning panoramic views of Raby Castle. The Vinery...

Industry

Food and Drink mentoring

14 Feb 2024

Food and Drink North East is delivering a fully funded programme for food, drink and hospitality providers in County Durham that will focus on improving productivity, and will combine a face-to-face workshop and tailored 1:1 mentoring from their team of experts. This opportunity is available to 25...

Industry

The Auckland Project's campaign for Henry VIII’s Lost Tapestry reaches huge £1 million milestone

9 Feb 2024

A campaign by Bishop Auckland regeneration charity, The Auckland Project, to save a national treasure has hit a huge £1million milestone, bringing the charity one step closer to acquiring the rare artefact. The vast 16th century tapestry of artistic, political and religious significance has...

Industry

Retail Grant

8 Feb 2024

Aspiring entrepreneurs with ambitions to set up retail, leisure or hospitality businesses in County Durham can apply for a new grant to help make their dream a reality. Durham County Council has launched the Retail Start Up Grant to support businesses in their first six months of trading.

Industry

Attract Talent

8 Feb 2024

VCD Supplier Partner Reed in Partnership is holding an online panel discussion on 14th February between 1pm and 2pm, to explore how your business can attract the talent it needs and ensure existing employees continue to Love Mondays. Alongside advice on the latest recruitment trends across UK...

Industry

New Accessibility Initiatives

31 Jan 2024

VisitEngland is delivering a webinar on 13th February from 11:00am to 12:30pm to showcase how they are improving the holiday experience for visitors with a wide range of accessibility requirements. Find out how you can provide high-level accessibility information supplemented by a Detailed Access...

Industry

Travel and Tourism Employer Forum

31 Jan 2024

East Durham College is hosting a Travel and Tourism Employer Forum on 8th February from 2:00pm to 2:30pm to understand what employers feel is missing from their workforce and what skills and knowledge they should develop in their learners to ensure each is ready to enter the workforce. The forum...