Media Room
Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
                                                            Industry
                                                        A66 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 update
                                                            Industry
                                                        PAM 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 Assist
                                                            Industry
                                                        Reopening 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
                                                            Industry
                                                        ‘Tis the season to celebrate sustainably - Dalton Park ‘switches on’ to sugarcane and recycled bottles
5 Dec 2022
Dalton Park is living its sustainable values this Christmas with incredible festive displays made from sugar cane and recycled bottles. A giant light-up polar bear, Santa's selfie sleigh, a 6-metre Christmas tree and a sparkly, snowflake-filled walk-through arch are entirely recyclable and...
Read More about ‘Tis the season to celebrate sustainably - Dalton Park ‘switches on’ to sugarcane and recycled bottles
                                                            Industry
                                                        Making County Durham filming friendly
29 Nov 2022
A North East council’s pledge to make Durham filming friendly will ensure the county continues to benefit from the rising popularity of screen tourism. Durham County Council has signed a filming friendly charter with North East Screen in order to help the TV and film industry grow across the...
Read More about Making County Durham filming friendly
                                                            Industry
                                                        The rising stars of Raby Estates' renovation programme
29 Nov 2022
Raby Castle and Estate, in the heart of County Durham is supporting the expertise of local contractors in all areas of its five-year renovation scheme known as The Rising, as well as across the Estate’s agricultural enterprises. The Rising, which began its works in 2021 will see the...
Read More about The rising stars of Raby Estates' renovation programme
                                                            Industry
                                                        North East artists to transform historic estate into a land of enchantment
22 Nov 2022
One of the North East’s leading heritage attractions is promising to light up Christmas with the return of a popular festive light trail, showcasing ambitious new outdoor artworks by regional artists. Illuminating Ushaw: Land of Enchantment will take visitors on a captivating journey around Ushaw...
Read More about North East artists to transform historic estate into a land of enchantment
                                                            Industry
                                                        Grade One Listed Gainford Hall removed from Historic England at Risk Register
17 Nov 2022
Grade one listed Gainford Hall has been successfully removed from the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register following restoration works by Raby Estates. This important step in The Rising, the five-year Raby Estates redevelopment plan, marks a turning point, as Raby delivers on its first...
Read More about Grade One Listed Gainford Hall removed from Historic England at Risk Register
                                                            Industry
                                                        Lighting up lives: Lumiere announces 2023 dates
15 Nov 2022
Tuesday 15 November 2022. Today marks one year until the return of Lumiere, the UK’s light art biennial. The free-to-attend, four-day event will take place from 16-19 November 2023 in Durham. Produced by leading arts producers Artichoke and commissioned by Durham County Council, Lumiere will...
Read More about Lighting up lives: Lumiere announces 2023 dates
                                                            Industry
                                                        Virtual tours
9 Nov 2022
VCD Partners Farnley Tower, Thomas Wright House, Grassholme Observatory and Gala Durham are amongst businesses that enhance their marketing content to visitors by offering a 3D virtual tour developed by our Supplier Partner 3D Virtual Spaces. Virtual tours allow potential visitors to see your...
Read More about Virtual tours
                                                            Industry
                                                        Funding opportunity
9 Nov 2022
SME's based in County Durham could access up to 40% funding for business improvement projects costing between £2,500 and £8,000 (maximum grant of £3,200) from The North East Business Support Fund. The grant can be used for any type of business support that will help your business grow. The...
Read More about Funding opportunity
                                                            Industry
                                                        Big investment for culture in County Durham
7 Nov 2022
Organisations across County Durham will be supported in delivering key cultural events and attractions after being successful in bids for funding. The Arts Council selected County Durham as one of 54 Priority Places in the UK where it has announced it will be focusing its investment. Durham County...
Read More about Big investment for culture in County Durham
                                                            Industry
                                                        Call for traders for Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2023
3 Nov 2022
Applications are now open for traders to be part of one of the North East’s most popular food festivals. Bishop Auckland Food Festival will return to the town’s Market Place on Saturday 22 April and Sunday 23 April. The Durham County Council-run festival, which this year attracted over 30,000...
Read More about Call for traders for Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2023
                                                            Industry
                                                        Coastal survey results
3 Nov 2022
The National Coastal Tourism Academy has published the latest results from their third business survey. Findings indicate that more than 65% of coastal businesses are back to profit post-Covid, a significant increase on previous waves. However, nearly 20% say it will be another year before they...
Read More about Coastal survey results
                                                            Industry
                                                        EV charging points
3 Nov 2022
If you are a registered charity or small accommodation business, you may be able to apply for the Workplace Charging Scheme, a voucher-based scheme that provides eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle (EV) charge points. The...
Read More about EV charging points