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All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Hotel Indigo Durham celebrates fifth birthday
24 Mar 2023
The last five years have seen Hotel Indigo breathe new life into one of the Durham City’s iconic buildings, win awards and overcome a global pandemic. Once known as the old shire hall, the hotel building was built in the 1890s for Durham County Council and became an iconic feature in the city’s...
Read More about Hotel Indigo Durham celebrates fifth birthdayRestoration works to begin at Killhope Lead Mining Museum
24 Mar 2023
Works to restore a popular museum in County Durham are set to be carried out this year. Durham County Council has received funding from Arts Council England’s Museum Estate and Development Fund for restorative and heritage protection works at Killhope Lead Mining Museum. Part of the museum site...
Read More about Restoration works to begin at Killhope Lead Mining MuseumNational Hotel Marketing Conference
22 Mar 2023
All VCD Partners are able to access special rates (saving £50) to attend this year's National Hotel Marketing Conference, which takes place on Thursday 27th April at the Hilton at St George's Park, the English FA Centre of Excellence in Staffordshire. The conference programme and 30 top speakers...
Read More about National Hotel Marketing ConferenceFirst stage of historic walled garden remodelling nearing completion at Raby Castle
21 Mar 2023
The first stage of a redesign of Raby’s historic Walled Garden is nearing completion, which will see the launch of a grass amphitheatre this summer - the first of its kind in the north of England. A very special element of the Estate’s ambitious development programme known as ‘The Rising’,...
Read More about First stage of historic walled garden remodelling nearing completion at Raby CastleOn track for continued customer growth as LNER leads the way
17 Mar 2023
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) continues to lead the way when it comes to passenger growth and usage, topping the table for franchised operators for the seventh consecutive quarter. Between October and December 2022, passenger journeys were at 96 per cent when compared with the same period for...
Read More about On track for continued customer growth as LNER leads the way1950s cinema and shops underway at Beamish Museum
17 Mar 2023
Work is beginning on a cinema, toy shop and electrical shop in Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s 1950s Town. The museum is recreating The Grand Cinema from Ryhope in Sunderland, where visitors will be able to enjoy a 1950s cinema experience. A toy shop named after the popular Romer...
Read More about 1950s cinema and shops underway at Beamish MuseumShare your views
8 Mar 2023
Visit County Durham Supplier Partner Rural Business Network and National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise have been commissioned by Durham County Council to find out the needs and opportunities for rural businesses across the county to help shape future investment plans. They are holding a...
Read More about Share your viewsDelve into history at The Auckland Project
23 Feb 2023
The Auckland Project’s attractions reopen this week, offering visitors the opportunity to delve into the fascinating and often surprising history of Bishop Auckland. Visitors can look forward to a varied programme of events throughout the year, including exhibitions in the Mining Art Gallery...
Read More about Delve into history at The Auckland ProjectBack on Track - Railway line from Bishop Auckland to Stanhope to reopen this spring
10 Feb 2023
The railway line from Bishop Auckland to Stanhope will reopen this spring for the first time in three years, thanks to an extensive restoration programme carried out by The Auckland Project. The Auckland Project acquired the 16-mile stretch of railway in January 2020 and has since been working to...
Read More about Back on Track - Railway line from Bishop Auckland to Stanhope to reopen this springBeamish Museum appoints Chair and Trustees to Board
10 Feb 2023
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North has announced the appointment of a Chair and trustees to its board. Chris Loughran has been appointed as Chair and will take up his role on 1st March, along with 10 new board members in the voluntary roles. The new trustees are David Alexander, Mauricio...
Read More about Beamish Museum appoints Chair and Trustees to BoardNational Occupancy Results
8 Feb 2023
England Occupancy Survey results for November 2022 have been published. When comparing November 2022 results with November 2021, room occupancy in November 2022 increased from 67% to 78% whilst bedspace occupancy increased from 47% to 54%. Evaluating trends across the 9 regions of England, all...
Read More about National Occupancy ResultsN’ice’ start to the Year of the Coast activity at Dalton Park
7 Feb 2023
Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination is set to support Visit County Durham’s Year of the Coast campaign with a free seaside themed Ice & Waves Trail event during February half term. Five stunning sculptures will be placed around the centre on Monday 20th February and there will be an...
Read More about N’ice’ start to the Year of the Coast activity at Dalton ParkFor the Love of Gin: Durham’s First Gin Distillery and School Opens This Month
2 Feb 2023
Gin lovers looking to catch a glimpse of how their favourite tipple is produced are in luck in 2023. Durham Distillers, producers of the award-winning Durham Gin, are opening their brand-new city centre distillery to visitors this Spring with bookings now available from Saturday 24th February....
Read More about For the Love of Gin: Durham’s First Gin Distillery and School Opens This MonthDLI Preparations Begin For Move To The Story
2 Feb 2023
Preparations are underway to carefully pack historic military memorabilia currently on display in Durham as part of plans to create a new home for Durham Light Infantry (DLI) collection. The DLI Gallery: Courage, Comrades and Community has been hosted at Durham University’s Palace Green Library...
Read More about DLI Preparations Begin For Move To The StoryExciting Jobs and Recruitment Fair at Beamish Museum
1 Feb 2023
From working with heritage transport to creating tasty traditional treats, become part of something special with exciting and unique new jobs at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North. A variety of seasonal roles are being advertised at the award-winning museum, including in The 1900s Town and Pit...
Read More about Exciting Jobs and Recruitment Fair at Beamish Museum