VCD Business

03/06/2026

New destination marketing agency for North East England

Experience North East England’s mission is to unlock growth by promoting the region as a sustainable world-class place to visit, meet and invest. With £7m in new funding from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, Visit County Durham will work alongside the agency on shared priorities to grow the region’s visitor economy.

Find out more here https://www.visitcountydurham.org/news/new-destination-marketing-agency-for-north-east-england-announced/

02/06/2026

Durham University are currently recruiting candidates to assist their Visitor Attractions reception team.

You will be passionate about providing great customer service. Working across their visitor attraction venues, including Palace Green Library reception, the Oriental Museum and the World Heritage Site Visitor Centre, you will provide a warm welcome to all visitors and ensure they have a memorable experience. You will answer customer enquiries, facilitate retail and event sales, support the day to day activities of our busy reception by working with other staff and volunteers and ensuring the front of house is presented to a high standard for our customers.

Find out more here

Click the link provided to see the complete job description.

02/06/2026

Heritage rail journey supports people living with dementia during National Dementia Week.

A dedicated heritage rail experience was held on the Weardale Railway in support of National Dementia Week, welcoming people living with dementia and their carers for a memorable day out through the Durham Dales.

Around 50 to 60 guests boarded the heritage DMU service at Bishop Auckland West, travelling to Stanhope while enjoying the scenic Weardale landscape. The train paused at selected viewpoints along the route, giving passengers the opportunity to take in the countryside in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Read more here https://www.visitcountydurham.org/news/heritage-rail-journey-supports-people-living-with-dementia-during-national-dementia-week/

28/05/2026

Raby Castle, Park and Gardens will host Furture Countryside - the prestigious national forum for rural policy and debate next week, 2 June.

Across the day, farmers, land managers, business leaders, environmentalists and policymakers will come together to challenge assumptions, share solutions and build partnerships. The focus is clear, how the countryside can drive economic growth, strengthen communities, support nature recovery and deliver for the whole nation.

Read more: https://www.visitcountydurham.org/news/county-durham-set-to-host-prestigious-countryside-event/

28/05/2026

The Discover Durham team will be exhibiting at the Group Leisure & Travel Show on 8 October 2026 at the Arena MK, Milton Keynes to share the latest news and group-friendly inspiration from Durham.

Register to visit at https://grouptravelshow.com/register

25/05/2026

Some of the marketing team from Visit County Durham were invited to attend a media preview at The Lost Feather arena, one of the most visually striking new structures within the UK’s first live action show park, The Storied Lands opening this summer.

At the centre of the arena is a huge eagles’ nest-inspired roof structure, created from thousands of interwoven logs to resemble an enormous bird’s nest rising above the performance space below.

For more information and tickets https://kynren.com/explore-the-park/

22/05/2026

Michelle Gorman, managing director at Visit County Durham, took part in a thought-provoking panel this week, as part of the North East Pavilion at UKREiiF, the leading forum for real estate, investment, and infrastructure, on unlocking world-class spaces for major events.

The experience economy has become a lifestyle choice, with consumers now consistently prioritising an emotional return on investment over physical. Whether it is a gig, a sports event or leisure activity, destinations need to provide memorable experiences in inspiring places.

The panel explored the future of major events and their role in the UK’s economy, the importance of strong partnerships and the environment needed to get developments off the ground.

Read more here https://www.visitcountydurham.org/news/visit-county-durham-joins-ukreiif-panel-on-the-impact-of-events-on-the-economy/

22/05/2026

Locations have been announced for a popular feature of Durham Brass Festival.

Durham Brass Festival’s Big and Little Brass Bashes are going on tour again this year, bringing free concerts to towns and communities across County Durham.

With new locations as well as firm fan favourites, organisers Durham County Council have promised a party at every location.

For all locations and dates read more at https://www.visitcountydurham.org/news/brass-bash-locations-confirmed-for-durham-brass-festival/

21/05/2026

A number of visitor facing staff from across the county attended our Welcome to Durham training course earlier today.

The content gives those working in the visitor economy practical and usable skills that can make the difference between a visitor being satisfied, and a visitor being made to feel special. The course focusses upon customer service skills for the hospitality industry and provides an overview of the tourism product the county has to offer.

For more information at https://www.visitcountydurham.org/welcome-to-durham/on log onto https://www.visitcountydurham.org/welcome-to-durham/

If you are interested in signing up for the next session on Tuesday 14th July 2026 email [email protected].

21/05/2026

A project to restore coastal grasslands along the Durham Heritage Coast has been successfully completed.

Led by Durham County Council and the Heritage Coast Partnership in collaboration with the National Trust and Durham Wildlife Trust, the £1 million project was funded by the government’s Species Survival Fund.

It has helped restore vital magnesian limestone coastal grasslands from Nose’s Point near Seaham to Blackhall Rocks, supporting distinctive plant communities, insects, birds and other wildlife.

Read more here
https://www.visitcountydurham.org/news/durham-coastal-grasslands-project-successfully-completed/