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Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
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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Industry
Poised for playtime - The Plotters' Forest to open on Friday 15 April
7 Apr 2022
Raby Castle’s new highly anticipated adventure playground, The Plotters’ Forest, opens to the public on Friday 15th April, in time for the Easter weekend. Towering amongst the trees in the castle’s Christmas tree plantation, the playground offers an exciting mix of challenge, discovery and...
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Industry
ALVA visitor figures update
6 Apr 2022
The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) has released the visitor figures of its members for 2021. The total number of visits to ALVA sites in 2021 was 67.8 million, which was a 25% increase on the previous year, but represented an annual decline of 57% on the 156.6 million visits in...
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Industry
Struggling to recruit staff?
6 Apr 2022
Reed in Partnership invite County Durham employers to join them at their upcoming career fairs. Meet and interview participants and hear about the service Reed in Partnership offer through the delivery of the DWP funded Restart Scheme. Two career fairs have been announced for Peterlee 27th April...
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Industry
Anticipation builds for reimagined cultural venue
6 Apr 2022
A first glimpse of an exciting new cultural venue for County Durham has been revealed. Durham County Council has released a visualisation of what the former DLI Museum and Gallery will look like after it is transformed into a vibrant exhibition centre, gallery and café. The move closely follows...
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Industry
Tourism partners explore County Durham’s heritage
21 Mar 2022
Representatives from Spain have experienced some of the delights of County Durham this weekend. Following a region-to-region tourism partnership being signed by Durham County Council and A Coruña Provincial Council in northwest Spain, last year, partners have come together in person to take part...
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Industry
County Durham’s UK City of Culture 2025 bid remains on track
21 Mar 2022
County Durham is now a step closer to being named UK City of Culture 2025 and securing the colossal social and economic benefits this would bring. Today, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced the county was one of just four locations from across the UK to be shortlisted for...
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Industry
Spain's Field Farm opening
16 Mar 2022
Great news that Beamish Museum is holding the opening celebrations for their new 1950s farm this Saturday and Sunday 19th and 20th March from 1pm. Spain's Field Farm is part of the Remaking Beamish project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust and Friends...
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Industry
Vintage rail travel exhibition launches in Durham – ‘Cradle of the Railways’
16 Mar 2022
An exhibition of 40 vintage railway posters celebrating some of the most iconic stops on the London & North Eastern Railway line opens this week at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, County Durham. From Edinburgh to London & Beyond is a collection of original vintage railway posters...
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Industry
New piccalilli & chutney catering packs
9 Mar 2022
Our Supplier Partner, Calder's Kitchen, producers of piccalilli and chutneys, has launched new catering packs for food service, sandwich makers, cafe's, deli's, pubs and restaurants. Available in seven delicious, fresh flavours, they are looking for businesses across County Durham to work...
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Industry
Raby schools competition
9 Mar 2022
To inspire the next generation of budding designers and engineers, Raby Castle has launched a competition encouraging local schools to design their own adventure playground. The prize for the talented winner and their whole class is exclusive access to The Plotters' Forest, before it opens to the...
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Industry
Global Astrotourism Summit
2 Mar 2022
Stargazing has always been a popular activity, but there has been an unprecedented demand for dark sky tours and events since the pandemic. VCD Partner, Star Safaris, has co-ordinated with colleagues to develop the 'Astro-tourism Summit'. The summit provides 18 hours of talks, interviews and...
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Industry
Check your energy efficiency
28 Feb 2022
Energy costs are rising rapidly which is having a huge impact on many businesses. But there are ways in which you could operate more efficiently, lowering your monthly bills and improving your carbon footprint. The Business Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP) is here to help County Durham SMEs make...
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Industry
Attention Traders!
16 Feb 2022
The hugely popular Seaham Food Festival, set against the backdrop of the stunning Durham Heritage Coast, is taking place over two days Saturday 6th August and Sunday 7th August. As always, stalls serving up the finest local produce and exciting street food will be at the heart of the event....
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Industry
Back to the 1950s
16 Feb 2022
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North will open its 1950s terrace with a week of celebrations this Half Term, 19th to 27th February 2022. Front Street terrace features John's Cafe, Middleton's Quality Fish and Chips, Elizabeth's Hairdressers, and a recreation of the 1950s home of celebrated...
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