Media Room

Latest News

All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.

Filter results by date:

Format: 29-12-2023
Format: 30-12-2023
Growth Plan Support Industry

Growth Plan Support

12 Oct 2022

The North East Growth Hub has produced a handy update on what support is available to businesses following the Chancellor's unveiling of the government's Growth Plan. Amongst the measures announced were support with energy costs, reversal of the National Insurance contributions rise, and changes to...

Read More about Growth Plan Support
Countdown begins Industry

Countdown begins

5 Oct 2022

The official countdown to the 2025 Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR) bicentennial celebrations has begun with the unveiling of the new brand for the anniversary, marking three years to go. At the heart of the celebrations are the plans for a recreation of the inaugural journey from...

Read More about Countdown begins
New Tourism Minister Industry

New Tourism Minister

5 Oct 2022

Life Peer Lord Syed Kamall has been announced as Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and takes responsibility for civic society, heritage and growth alongside tourism. We would like to welcome Lord Kamall to his new role and thank outgoing...

Read More about New Tourism Minister
Hotel makes treats a priority for its club members Industry

Hotel makes treats a priority for its club members

4 Oct 2022

A top North East hotel has unveiled the latest tranche of treats for those signed up to its Priority Club. 600-year-old Lumley Castle Hotel, at Chester-le-Street, launched the free-to-join membership scheme – which gives access to special offers and early bird event invitations - earlier this...

Read More about Hotel makes treats a priority for its club members
Discover unique and exciting jobs at Beamish Museum Industry

Discover unique and exciting jobs at Beamish Museum

3 Oct 2022

Step back in time and become immersed in North East history with exciting new jobs at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North. From an Edwardian Engager to a fish fryer, a range of unique roles are being advertised at the award-winning County Durham museum, including in The 1900s Town, new 1950s...

Read More about Discover unique and exciting jobs at Beamish Museum
Master Chef of Great Britain launches new menu at Lumley Castle Industry

Master Chef of Great Britain launches new menu at Lumley Castle

30 Sep 2022

The elite head chef at one of the North East’s most renowned hotels is showcasing his skill and experience with a new, fine dining menu. Jim Hall, recently awarded the prestigious Master Chef of Great Britain title, leads the catering team at historic Lumley Castle Hotel, Chester-le-Street, Co...

Read More about Master Chef of Great Britain launches new menu at Lumley Castle
Raby Estates announces high connectivity broadband for Upper Teesdale Industry

Raby Estates announces high connectivity broadband for Upper Teesdale

30 Sep 2022

Raby Estates has announced that householders and businesses across the whole of Upper Teesdale will have the benefit of ultrafast broadband from the autumn. A programme to bring high connectivity broadband to over 50 tenants of the estate and other neighbouring properties is being rolled out over...

Read More about Raby Estates announces high connectivity broadband for Upper Teesdale
Touch Stay update Industry

Touch Stay update

28 Sep 2022

Over the summer, VCD Supplier Partner Touch Stay has added Hostaway and enhanced existing integrations with OwnerRez and BookingSync to further facilitate the ease with which accommodation providers can effectively communicate with guests - an integration with Anytime Booking is in the works. Touch...

Read More about Touch Stay update
Tourism forum Industry

Tourism forum

28 Sep 2022

The North Pennines AONB Partnership will be holding their annual tourism forum on 13th October at Melmerby Village Hall, Cumbria asking: 'Is a regenerative approach the way forward for the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and UNESCO Global Geopark? And if so - what does it...

Read More about Tourism forum
New after dark Halloween trail to open at Raby's popular woodland play area Industry

New after dark Halloween trail to open at Raby's popular woodland play area

28 Sep 2022

A new after dark twilight trail will be opening for the first time at the woodland adventure playground The Plotters’ Forest, for Halloween. As the sun sets, the trail at Raby Castle’s adventure playground – which is woven within its Christmas Tree plantation – will come alive in a...

Read More about New after dark Halloween trail to open at Raby's popular woodland play area
Aged miners’ homes underway in Beamish’s 1950s Town Industry

Aged miners’ homes underway in Beamish’s 1950s Town

26 Sep 2022

Work is underway at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North on a replica of aged miners’ homes that will provide a space for people living with dementia and other long-term health conditions. Dedication stones have been unveiled on the replicas of the aged miners’ homes from Marsden Road, in...

Read More about Aged miners’ homes underway in Beamish’s 1950s Town
Durham Cathedral’s interior is set to be transformed with light and sound this October Industry

Durham Cathedral’s interior is set to be transformed with light and sound this October

22 Sep 2022

Durham Cathedral is set to be transformed with dazzling sound and light this October as Life by artists Luxmuralis comes to the North East for the first time. This autumn, visitors can experience Durham Cathedral in a whole new light as from 6.45pm every evening, between 12-16 October, the...

Read More about Durham Cathedral’s interior is set to be transformed with light and sound this October
Set a date for starry nights and nocturnal adventures Industry

Set a date for starry nights and nocturnal adventures

7 Sep 2022

The programme has been launched for this year’s celebration of the dark skies of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and UNESCO Global Geopark. The sixth North Pennines Stargazing Festival will run from 21 to 30 October 2022, during the Autumn half term, and has over 20...

Read More about Set a date for starry nights and nocturnal adventures
Flower Festival to pay tribute to County Durham’s people, places and past Industry

Flower Festival to pay tribute to County Durham’s people, places and past

17 Aug 2022

Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens is to host a flower festival celebrating County Durham’s heritage, culture, people and places. Ushaw Flower Fest, will see the 214-year-old Georgian house transform into a floral walking tour that tells rich stories from Durham’s past and present,...

Read More about Flower Festival to pay tribute to County Durham’s people, places and past
Summer’s sorted, with affordable fun for all the family at Ushaw Industry

Summer’s sorted, with affordable fun for all the family at Ushaw

10 Aug 2022

As we reach the halfway point of the school summer holidays, you’d be forgiven for running somewhat short of ideas to keep the kids entertained. With the cost of living crisis biting, parents up and down the country are on the lookout for ways to make the holidays fun without breaking the bank,...

Read More about Summer’s sorted, with affordable fun for all the family at Ushaw