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Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Visit County Durham
Campaign update
19 Dec 2022
As part of the Memorable Moments destination marketing campaign, Visit County Durham commissioned and hosted three award-winning influencers to create videos showcasing their own memorable moments in the county, covering heritage, outdoors, family fun and culture. The videos are a great promotional...
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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...
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Visit County Durham
Closing date reminder
7 Dec 2022
A reminder that trader applications for Bishop Auckland Food Festival are open until January 10th 2023. Spaces are limited and some categories are very busy. The food festival will return to the town's Market Place on Saturday 22nd April and Sunday 23th April 2023.
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Visit County Durham
Tourism Sentiment Report
7 Dec 2022
The Visit County Durham commissioned Tourism Sentiment report for November is now available, providing valuable insights for the county's tourism businesses. The score measures Durham's ability to generate positive word of mouth about our tourism offer through online conversations. This month, the...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Visit County Durham
£2.25 million boost for the region’s tourism industry as North East announced as the first ever Destination Development Partnership pilot in England
25 Nov 2022
The North East has been chosen for the first regional tourism pilot receiving £2.25 million from national government covering a period to March 2025. ‘The partnership will see Visit County Durham working alongside NewcastleGateshead Initiative and VisitNorthumberland, on behalf of the...
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Visit County Durham
Tourism Superstar
23 Nov 2022
2023 will be the 11th year for VisitEngland's Tourism Superstar competition which recognises the dedication and passion of those working in the tourism industry. Run in partnership with the Mirror newspaper, the campaign recognises and celebrates those in the industry who go the extra mile to...
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Visit County Durham
VE Occupancy data
23 Nov 2022
VisitEngland has published September's serviced accommodation occupancy report. Every month, the England Occupancy Survey (EOS) measures bedroom and bedspace occupancy across the serviced accommodation sector, including mostly hotels, with a very small proportion of serviced apartments and larger...
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Visit County Durham
Energy support guide
23 Nov 2022
UKHospitality has made its information and guidance on energy support available to non-members to help businesses during the cost of living crisis. Resources include an energy bill calculator and a Q&A information sheet. The information and guidance was previously available to UKHospitality...
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Visit County Durham
Small Business Saturday
23 Nov 2022
Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and support small businesses in their communities. This year, the day itself takes place on 3rd December, but the campaign aims to have a lasting...
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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...
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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...
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Visit County Durham
Campaign update
16 Nov 2022
A month into our Memorable Moments campaign and the content hub on thisisdurham.com has already received over 2,500 page views since it launched on 7th October. Following a full page advertorial in the Guardian's Travel Guide, online advertorials have been placed in the Manchester Evening News and...
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