News-Christmas and New Year closures

Customer Access Points will close at 12:45pm on Tuesday 24 December, with normal opening hours resuming from Thursday 2 January. Normal opening days and times vary, visit Customer Access Points for more information. 

In the event of an emergency, residents can still contact us on 03000 26 0000 or use the 24/7 automated payments line on 0300 456 2771.

If you are concerned about someone who is vulnerable or at risk, you should contact Social Care Direct/First Contact and the Emergency Duty Team on 03000 267 979. The service will be open across the Christmas and New Year period.

The online system for business rates, welfare assistance, council tax and housing repayments will not unavailable until council offices reopen on Thursday 2 January.

Our Housing Service will close at 12:45pm on Tuesday 24 December and reopen on Thursday 2 January. If you are being made homeless, please contact the Emergency Duty Team on the free phone number 0808 196 8406. The service will be open across the Christmas and New Year period for emergency calls only. General housing advice can be accessed at Housing.

Pathways day centres for adults will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.                       

Some of our Family Hubs will remain open over the festive period but will be closed weekends and bank holidays. Families are advised to contact their local Family Hub before travelling to check if it is open or call 03000 261 111. Information and advice is also available at Help for families - your virtual Family Hub.

Our Welfare Assistance Service will close at 12:00pm on Tuesday 24 December. Normal opening times will resume on Thursday 2 January. 

Park and Ride

The Park and Ride service will not operate during any of the bank holidays, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. It will operate as normal, from 7:00am to 7:00pm, on all other days.

Libraries, leisure centres and register office 

The Register Office, which is located at The Story near Durham City, will close on Tuesday 24 December at 12:30pm and will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. It will open for appoints only on Friday 27, Monday 30 and the morning of Tuesday 31 December but opening times will vary. To make an appointment call 03000 26 6000. Normal opening hours will resume on Thursday 2 January.

Leisure centres will be open throughout the festive period except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. The last swimming lessons/classes will be held on Friday 20 December and will resume on Saturday 4 January. Visit Thrive Leisure for opening hours at your local centre.

Libraries will be closed from 12:30pm on Tuesday 24 December and will reopen as normal from Thursday 2 January 2025. Normal opening times vary for each library, with full details available at Libraries. Residents will still be able to access the library's Borrowbox app with their library membership over the festive break.

There will be no mobile library service Tuesday 24 December (Evenwood, Cockfield, Butterknowle, Copley, Hamsterley), Thursday 2 January (Raby, Staindrop, Hutton Magna, Cotherstone, Romaldkirk, Middleton in Teesdale, Forest in Teesdale, Langdon Beck) or Friday 3 January (High Etherley, Evenwood Gate, Wackerfield, Hilton, Bolam).

Cultural venues

The Story will close at 12:45pm on Tuesday 24 December and will re-open at 9:00am on Friday 27 December. The venue will also be closed on Wednesday 1 January. The Collections Room will close at 4:00pm on Friday 20 December and reopen at 10:00am on Monday 6 January.

Empire Consett and Gala Durham will both be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. There will be reduced opening hours on some days over the festive period. Visit Gala Durham and Empire Theatre and Cinema for more information. Normal opening hours will resume on Thursday 2 January.

Bishop Auckland Town Hall will close at 2:00pm on Tuesday 24 and reopen on Thursday 2 January.

Durham Town Hall is currently closed for essential maintenance work and is due to reopen in the spring.

Wharton Park and Hardwick Park cafes will be open every day apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Wharton Park café is open from 10:30am until 3:30pm and Hardwick Park café from 9:30am until 4:00pm.

The Riverside Gardens and public toilets at Riverside Park in Chester-le-Street will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. The normal winter opening hours of 7:30am to 2:30pm will apply over the rest of the festive period.

Stay in the loop

Residents can also keep up to date with any changes to our services by following Durham County Council on Facebook. and Durham County Council on X.