Media Room

Latest News

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

Filter News

All Visit County Durham Industry

Filter results by date:

From Date:

Format: 29-12-2023

To Date:

Format: 30-12-2023

Industry

Alternative Fuel Payments

29 Mar 2023

The Non-Domestic Alternative Fuels Payments Scheme provides a fixed payment of £150 to UK non-domestic consumers who are off the gas grid and use alternative fuels. Most consumers that are eligible for this payment will have already received it automatically as a credit on their electricity bills....

Industry

Improving active travel links along route of former Stockton and Darlington Railway

29 Mar 2023

Work to improve active travel links between County Durham communities along the route of an historic railway is to begin this summer. Durham County Council is to develop new walking and cycling routes along a 19-kilometre stretch of the former Stockton and Darlington Railway. The council is...

Industry

Celebrating the Women of Bishop Auckland

28 Mar 2023

The Auckland Project has launched a series of free theatrical walking tours to celebrate the hidden history of the women of Bishop Auckland. The ‘We Were Here’ walking tours shine a light on the women of Bishop Auckland through interactive story-telling, supported by costume and conversation....

Industry

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...

Industry

Restoration 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...

Industry

National 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...

Industry

First 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’,...

Industry

On 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...

Industry

1950s 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...

Industry

Share 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...

Industry

Delve 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...

Industry

Back 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...

Industry

Beamish 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...

Industry

National 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...

Industry

N’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...