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Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Industry
New piccalilli & chutney catering packs
9 Mar 2022
Our Supplier Partner, Calder's Kitchen, producers of piccalilli and chutneys, has launched new catering packs for food service, sandwich makers, cafe's, deli's, pubs and restaurants. Available in seven delicious, fresh flavours, they are looking for businesses across County Durham to work...
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Industry
Raby schools competition
9 Mar 2022
To inspire the next generation of budding designers and engineers, Raby Castle has launched a competition encouraging local schools to design their own adventure playground. The prize for the talented winner and their whole class is exclusive access to The Plotters' Forest, before it opens to the...
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Industry
Global Astrotourism Summit
2 Mar 2022
Stargazing has always been a popular activity, but there has been an unprecedented demand for dark sky tours and events since the pandemic. VCD Partner, Star Safaris, has co-ordinated with colleagues to develop the 'Astro-tourism Summit'. The summit provides 18 hours of talks, interviews and...
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Industry
Check your energy efficiency
28 Feb 2022
Energy costs are rising rapidly which is having a huge impact on many businesses. But there are ways in which you could operate more efficiently, lowering your monthly bills and improving your carbon footprint. The Business Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP) is here to help County Durham SMEs make...
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Industry
Attention Traders!
16 Feb 2022
The hugely popular Seaham Food Festival, set against the backdrop of the stunning Durham Heritage Coast, is taking place over two days Saturday 6th August and Sunday 7th August. As always, stalls serving up the finest local produce and exciting street food will be at the heart of the event....
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Industry
Back to the 1950s
16 Feb 2022
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North will open its 1950s terrace with a week of celebrations this Half Term, 19th to 27th February 2022. Front Street terrace features John's Cafe, Middleton's Quality Fish and Chips, Elizabeth's Hairdressers, and a recreation of the 1950s home of celebrated...
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Industry
Green light for EcoFest event at Dalton Park
16 Feb 2022
Dalton Park is gearing up for its first major event of 2022 with a brand-new concept - EcoFest! The two-day free festival is part of the ‘One Small Change’ campaign in partnership with Climate Action North and will showcase small changes everyone can make to reduce their environmental impact....
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Industry
Become more eco-friendly
9 Feb 2022
If you want to make your business more eco-friendly but are not sure where to start, the National Coastal Tourism Academy has produced a Top Ten list of simple first steps to operating more sustainably. As well as being great for the planet, some of their tips will help save money and help your...
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Industry
Great news for Beamish
3 Feb 2022
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North has received a £150,000 grant from the Sir James Knott Trust for the museum's Georgian developments. The Remaking Beamish project includes Georgian industry, including a pottery and blacksmith's, along with overnight accommodation and a drovers' tavern. The...
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Industry
Funding for digital improvement
19 Jan 2022
Tourism, leisure and hospitality businesses in County Durham are among those who can apply for a share of an almost £1million fund to help them in their recovery from the effects of Covid-19. The Durham Digital Improvement Grant will support businesses to enable the use of and improvement in the...
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Industry
Raby branching out with adventure playground in the forest
19 Jan 2022
World-class playground designers have started work on an enchanting new children’s adventure play area inside a mysterious forest in Raby Castle’s grounds. The project is part of a wider development, known as The Rising, that promises to attract new visitors to the area and create outstanding...
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Industry
Strong performance at Dalton Park leads to 26 new job opportunities
14 Jan 2022
A strong performance during 2021 has led to the creation of 26 new jobs at the North East’s biggest outlet shopping centre. Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination saw like-for-like sales increase by 13% against the same period in 2019, despite hugely challenging times for the UK retail sector. A...
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Industry
Baton-bearer nominations sought
12 Jan 2022
Do you know somebody who is ready to step forward, make a change, and take it on? You can now nominate a Baton-bearer for the Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay in England. Baton-bearers are needed, each with inspiring stories, to take on the special experience of carrying the Queen's Baton...
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Industry
Try before you buy scheme
12 Jan 2022
To help make the decision about switching to electric, Durham County Council is offering small and medium-sized businesses in the county the chance to borrow an electric van for up to three weeks. You will be loaned an electric van (three different types will be available) over a period...
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Industry
Castle restoration work takes regional award
23 Dec 2021
Work to revitalise a medieval castle in County Durham has won a regional award. Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland, is one of the most significant complexes of medieval buildings in England. As a favoured residence of the bishops of Durham for at least 800 years, it has international...
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