Green light for boost to County Durham's culture and regeneration programme

We will now work with partners to progress bids to secure at least the same sum, creating a minimum budget of £4million to run a "bigger and better" programme from 2024 to 2026.

It comes as County Durham looks to cement its place as "The Culture County" after becoming the first county ever to be shortlisted for UK City of Culture status.

And it follows confirmation that tourism contributed more than £1billion to the county's economy for the first time ever last year.

'A very clear opportunity'

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, our Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: "The City of Culture bid - developed by ourselves, Durham University and the Culture Durham Partnership - put County Durham the global spotlight.

"And the county has just enjoyed a record year on the back of it, during which we've seen tourism contribute more than £1billion to our economy for the first time ever.

"That's even higher than it was pre-pandemic, and there is now a very clear opportunity to build momentum and grow that even further.

"We've continued to work with partners and have placed the key features of our City of Culture bid at the heart of the county's recently agreed Inclusive Economic Strategy.

"In doing so, we have committed to both culture-led regeneration and activities that directly connect culture to economic and community growth.

"In line with that commitment, we have now, as a council, agreed to use the £2million currently held in our culture reserve to support bids for external funding.

"We will work with funding partners such as Arts Council England and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to build a substantial programme with long-term impact.

"We will also work with our culture partners to deliver the enhanced programme itself.

"We're very confident we can leverage at least the same sum, effectively doubling the return on our £2million investment."

'A bigger and better programme'

The expanded three-year culture and events programme will include a 'spotlight' year in 2025, which will involve enhancing existing plans for the 2025 Stockton & Darlington Railway bicentenary celebrations.

There will also be a major new programme of 'Finding the Light' events, exhibits and experiences exploring art, science and space.

The Place Labs concept, which saw pilots established in Peterlee, Weardale and Durham City as part of the UK City of Culture bid, will be rolled out county wide.

Under the concept, community-based cultural hubs are established where residents can develop their own creative projects.

Cllr Scott said: "We're looking to deliver a bigger and better culture and events programme, with all the economic and community benefits it generates for the county.

"And of course, if we don't attract that external funding to County Durham, it will go to other parts of the country."

The plan to commit the funding towards an enhanced programme was agreed at today's meeting of the Council's Cabinet.