Media Room
Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Industry
Green light for EcoFest event at Dalton Park
16 Feb 2022
Dalton Park is gearing up for its first major event of 2022 with a brand-new concept - EcoFest! The two-day free festival is part of the ‘One Small Change’ campaign in partnership with Climate Action North and will showcase small changes everyone can make to reduce their environmental impact....
Read More about Green light for EcoFest event at Dalton Park
Industry
Become more eco-friendly
9 Feb 2022
If you want to make your business more eco-friendly but are not sure where to start, the National Coastal Tourism Academy has produced a Top Ten list of simple first steps to operating more sustainably. As well as being great for the planet, some of their tips will help save money and help your...
Read More about Become more eco-friendly
Industry
Great news for Beamish
3 Feb 2022
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North has received a £150,000 grant from the Sir James Knott Trust for the museum's Georgian developments. The Remaking Beamish project includes Georgian industry, including a pottery and blacksmith's, along with overnight accommodation and a drovers' tavern. The...
Read More about Great news for Beamish
Industry
Funding for digital improvement
19 Jan 2022
Tourism, leisure and hospitality businesses in County Durham are among those who can apply for a share of an almost £1million fund to help them in their recovery from the effects of Covid-19. The Durham Digital Improvement Grant will support businesses to enable the use of and improvement in the...
Read More about Funding for digital improvement
Industry
Raby branching out with adventure playground in the forest
19 Jan 2022
World-class playground designers have started work on an enchanting new children’s adventure play area inside a mysterious forest in Raby Castle’s grounds. The project is part of a wider development, known as The Rising, that promises to attract new visitors to the area and create outstanding...
Read More about Raby branching out with adventure playground in the forest
Industry
Strong performance at Dalton Park leads to 26 new job opportunities
14 Jan 2022
A strong performance during 2021 has led to the creation of 26 new jobs at the North East’s biggest outlet shopping centre. Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination saw like-for-like sales increase by 13% against the same period in 2019, despite hugely challenging times for the UK retail sector. A...
Read More about Strong performance at Dalton Park leads to 26 new job opportunities
Industry
Baton-bearer nominations sought
12 Jan 2022
Do you know somebody who is ready to step forward, make a change, and take it on? You can now nominate a Baton-bearer for the Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay in England. Baton-bearers are needed, each with inspiring stories, to take on the special experience of carrying the Queen's Baton...
Read More about Baton-bearer nominations sought
Industry
Try before you buy scheme
12 Jan 2022
To help make the decision about switching to electric, Durham County Council is offering small and medium-sized businesses in the county the chance to borrow an electric van for up to three weeks. You will be loaned an electric van (three different types will be available) over a period...
Read More about Try before you buy scheme
Industry
Castle restoration work takes regional award
23 Dec 2021
Work to revitalise a medieval castle in County Durham has won a regional award. Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland, is one of the most significant complexes of medieval buildings in England. As a favoured residence of the bishops of Durham for at least 800 years, it has international...
Read More about Castle restoration work takes regional award
Industry
Tens of thousands attend Lumiere 2021 under the light of the full moon
23 Nov 2021
Lumiere light festival declared a triumph as people come together to enjoy the biggest outdoor event in the North East since lockdown. An estimated 140,000 visitors attend as Lumiere extended across County Durham as well as in Durham City for first time 37 artworks, 8 riggers, 13 Projectionists, 28...
Read More about Tens of thousands attend Lumiere 2021 under the light of the full moon
Industry
A muggles' guide to North East Harry Potter locations
23 Nov 2021
It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone first hit our screens. To mark twenty magical years since November 2001, when the first film adaptation of J. K Rowling’s boy wizard was released in UK cinemas, we’ve created a muggles' guide to Harry...
Read More about A muggles' guide to North East Harry Potter locations
Industry
First Glimpse at Ramside Hall's Triangular Treehouses
17 Aug 2021
A County Durham hotel continues to build its reputation as the perfect spot for romance, with a glimpse of how its new treehouses will look. Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa near Durham has unveiled images of its four new A frame triangular, glass fronted treehouses, which offer stunning...
Read More about First Glimpse at Ramside Hall's Triangular Treehouses