It’s fantastic that County Durham is one of the eight places that are longlisted! As highlighted, we now need to show the judges that the county and the region’s business community is backing the bid, which is due to be submitted on February 2nd next year.
Securing the UK City of Culture title would bring transformational social and economic benefits to the entire region, at a time when the North East really needs investment, as we emerge from the pandemic.
The impacts reported for previous Cities of Culture are compelling - and the Durham 2025 bidding team want to do everything we can to secure this investment for the region. Hull (2017) has reported £90M additional investment, 800 new jobs in the cultural & visitor economy and 56,000 children & young people taking part. Coventry (2021) has reported, so far, £100M additional investment, 100+ direct & 1,300 indirect jobs, and high profile partnerships including Turner prize; BBC, Sky & Channel 4. It would be great to meet and exceed this in the North East!
For County Durham we’ll be setting ambitious targets for:
- Visitor economy
- Overnight stays
- Profile
- Employment and job creation
- Talent retention
- Health & wellbeing, and opportunities for children and young people
How can I help?
Back the bid, and show your support (costs nothing!). We’ve made this really easy and you can do this here.
Spread the word through your networks. Anyone can use the attached email signature banner, which has a link to the sign up page, and we’ll be sharing social media buttons.
Do you know of any networks we could present to about the Durham 2025 work? If so, please let us know - contact D2025 business engagement lead Sally Dixon from Beamish Museum/ Culture Durham partnership to find out more sallydixon@beamish.org.uk.
If you’d like to find out more about sponsorship opportunities built around the profile and additional investment that City of Culture will bring, and the benefits for business and communities, please also contact Sally.
