Media Room
Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
The Who to perform at Seat Unique Riverside in 2023
30 Jan 2023
Legendary rock band The Who will perform at Seat Unique Riverside on Wednesday 19th July for their UK Tour “The Who Hits Back!” Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and band will be performing music from throughout the band’snearly 60-year career, including sections devoted to classic albums Tommy...
Read More about The Who to perform at Seat Unique Riverside in 2023Single-use plastics
25 Jan 2023
A ban on a range of polluting single-use plastics will be introduced in England from October 2023. The ban will include single-use plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks, and certain types of polystyrene cups and food containers. One solution to help businesses move away from single...
Read More about Single-use plasticsMental health at work
25 Jan 2023
As an employer, there are ways you can offer support to your staff through the cost of living crisis. Curated by Mind, The Mental Health at Work toolkit includes resources designed to help you and your employees with support through financial difficulties.
Read More about Mental health at workCost of living resource
25 Jan 2023
The North East Chamber of Commerce has launched a cost of living resource to help individuals and businesses get help and advice during these challenging economic times. The website uses expert knowledge to provide practical advice and tools on how to weather the tough economic headwinds, and...
Read More about Cost of living resourcePopular County Durham adventure park invests £300,000 into new play areas
25 Jan 2023
County Durham tourist attraction, Adventure Valley, has invested £300,000 into its facilities ahead of the Easter holidays. The new play areas are to be built using fully sustainable raw materials in a bid for Adventure Valley to go greener. The new investment plans also come shortly after the...
Read More about Popular County Durham adventure park invests £300,000 into new play areasThe Funky Monk Brings Ecclesiastical Elegance to Durham
25 Jan 2023
Durham city’s newest accommodation offering has brought together style, sophistication – and a touch of divine intervention. The Funky Monk serviced apartments have just opened their doors at Victoria Terrace, offering visitors to the historic city the opportunity to stay in lavish...
Read More about The Funky Monk Brings Ecclesiastical Elegance to DurhamRenowned Earth artwork, Gaia, coming to Durham Cathedral this summer
20 Jan 2023
This summer, Durham Cathedral will be giving visitors an out-of-this-world experience as Gaia, Luke Jerram’s replica artwork of planet Earth, lands in the cathedral. From 10 July - 10 September, visitors to Durham Cathedral will be able to experience the Earth as it’s seen from space as the...
Read More about Renowned Earth artwork, Gaia, coming to Durham Cathedral this summerBrilliant 2023
18 Jan 2023
Applications for the BRILLIANT artwork commissioning scheme are now open. This is your chance to become a Lumiere Durham artist in 2023! Be part of the bold and ambitious Lumiere programme, part of Durham County Culture. You don't need to be a practising artist or have any previous experience to...
Read More about Brilliant 2023Plan Ahead!
18 Jan 2023
There's a lot going on across County Durham in 2023 which can be used in your own marketing activity and give your customers a reason to visit and perhaps stay longer. From Fire & Ice to Wolsingham Show, and of course, the return of Lumiere, check out the events happening over the coming year....
Read More about Plan Ahead!Dalton Park toasts record breaking 2022
12 Jan 2023
Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination ended 2022 on a high with a record year for sales. Like for like sales across the year were up 14.5 percent vs 2019, the last comparable year due to the pandemic. The results come following an incredible 2022 for the outlet shopping destination as it bounced...
Read More about Dalton Park toasts record breaking 2022Inbound Tourism Forecast
12 Jan 2023
VisitBritain has published the 2023 forecast for inbound visits and spend which shows that spending by international visitors in the UK is forecast to reach £29.5 billion, up 4% on the all-time spending high of £28.4 billion in 2019. Overseas visits to the UK are predicted to rise to 35.1...
Read More about Inbound Tourism ForecastRising to the challenge together
11 Jan 2023
Growing Durham’s visitor economy is a key priority for Visit County Durham. Here two of the destination management organisation’s board directors give their insights into the importance of investing in tourism and why a partnership approach is always best. With a wealth of experience in...
Read More about Rising to the challenge togetherA66 update
19 Dec 2022
National Highways has issued a December update for the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project. It includes information about the milestones the team have reached over the last few months as well as what will be happening next year. If planning is approved, the project will start in 2024 and will dual...
Read More about A66 updatePAM Assist
19 Dec 2022
PAM Assist, supported by Durham County Council, provides businesses in the county with access to a free, confidential assistance programme for their employees. With ever-increasing pressures at work and home, there are times when we all need some extra support to balance the demands of everyday...
Read More about PAM AssistReopening date confirmed for Bishop Auckland’s Park Head Hotel
19 Dec 2022
The Auckland Project has announced the much-anticipated reopening date for the Park Head Hotel and Restaurant in Bishop Auckland. The regeneration charity, which works to bring about positive and lasting change for those living, working and visiting Bishop Auckland, purchased the popular hotel and...
Read More about Reopening date confirmed for Bishop Auckland’s Park Head Hotel