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Lisa Cartwright

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Durham Cricket partnership shortlisted for national award

A woman playing cricket

The inspiring partnership between the county’s new place brand, The Durham Story, and Durham Cricket’s first professional women’s team, has been recognised nationally after being named as a finalist in the ECB Business of Cricket Awards 2025.

To ensure long-term success, Durham Cricket needed the right partners, those who not only aligned with their values, but shared a vision for creating meaningful, sustainable change in sport and in the region. The Durham Story became the first-ever exclusive sponsor of the Durham Women’s team. It was a powerful message – a new team representing the future of women’s sport, supported by a new brand representing the future of the county.

Tom Seymour, Commercial Director at Durham Cricket said: “This partnership exemplifies the power of true alignment in sponsorship. In March 2025, as Durham Cricket was launching its first-ever Tier 1 professional women’s team, the Durham Story place brand was being launched – both representing bold new chapters for the county. And this shared moment of transformation created a perfect platform for collaboration. The sponsorship not only helped launch and sustain the women’s team, it strengthened the identity of a county committed to progress, and with the shared grit, determination and passion to succeed”.

The Durham Story partnership was brought to life through a multi-channel strategy that reached audiences locally, nationally, and globally, including kit branding, pitch presence, digital and broadcast exposure and events, with the women’s team also becoming Champions for the place brand, acting as ambassadors for the county.

Michelle Gorman, Managing Director of Visit County Durham added: “This partnership is about more than logos and advertising – it’s about identity, pride, and progress. Supporting Durham Cricket’s women’s team allows us to showcase our county’s commitment to equality, ambition, and excellence. The Durham Story is about celebrating what makes this place special, and our partnership with Durham Cricket brings that story to life on a national and international stage.”

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Durham Recognised by Which? as one of the UK’s Best Christmas Market Cities

People at Durham Christmas market

Durham has earned national recognition, being named one of the UK’s top Christmas market destinations by Which?. The listing highlights the city’s strong visitor appeal during the winter season and showcases Durham’s fantastic festive events. 

The annual Durham Christmas Market is a significant event for both visitors and businesses. It features over 30 high-quality stalls in Durham Market Place and a further 120 artisan producers in the ticketed marquee on Palace Green, which creates a significant retail and trading opportunity. The market attracts thousands of visitors into the city centre each year. 

This recognition also reflects the strength of Durham’s wider visitor experience. Which? highlighted the city’s cultural assets, walkability, and welcoming, uncrowded atmosphere. 

Durham’s inclusion alongside destinations such as Liverpool, Edinburgh, York, Belfast, Newcastle, Glasgow, Winchester and Wells positions the city within a competitive market and reinforces its reputation as a high-quality festive break destination.

Read the full article at Which.

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Key deal agreed to bring forward Durham Innovation District

Left to right: Professor Mike Shipman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Durham University; Cllr Andrew Husband, Leader of Durham County Council; and Phil Mayall, managing director at Muse.

Plans to develop an innovation district of national significance in Durham City have taken a major step forward, with the signing of a key agreement.

Muse, Durham County Council and Durham University have signed a Collaboration Agreement to accelerate the development of the Aykley Heads site as a hub for investment and innovation. The site is part of the Durham Innovation District in the heart of the historic city.

This follows the announcement of the Joint Venture and Development Management Agreement between Muse and the county council in May this year.

Signing the Collaboration Agreement is a key step for moving Aykley Heads forward. It sets out how the joint venture and the university will work together to deliver the project and help grow the wider Durham Innovation District.

The innovation district brings together ‘Triple Helix’ partners including local government, universities, and businesses to work together. It already includes major organisations such as Durham University Business School, North East Chamber of Commerce, Durham Constabulary, Waterstons, and council offices at Salvus House and Corten House. It also includes The Rivergreen Centre, which is being refurbished to become the council’s new headquarters, in place of County Hall which is to be demolished. The Aykley Heads area also has planning permission for 40,000 square metres of offices.

This new public-private partnership, supported by the university, is expected to create thousands of new jobs and to become a regional hub for research and innovation. Ideally located with easy access to major road networks and the nearby railway station, the site is also set to be of significant interest to major investors.

Phil Mayall, managing director at Muse, said: “County Durham already has a strong innovation ecosystem and this has been bolstered further with recent Government backing to create an AI Growth Zone in the North East region. Aykley Heads will provide a high-quality environment to encourage the growth of existing businesses and attract others to the region.

“It will also help to balance out the city core by revitalising the area, creating a vibrant and exciting new employment destination. Ourselves and Durham County Council are incredibly proud to have signed the agreement with Durham University and look forward to progressing this shared long-term vision together.”

Cllr Andrew Husband, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “The signing of the agreement is a major step forward and demonstrates the momentum we are building. Aykley Heads will deliver thousands of quality jobs for our residents and will be a significant driving force for County Durham’s future economic growth, as well as that of the wider North East.

“We’re really excited to be working with a world leading research institution in Durham University and Muse – with its impressive development track record. Add in the financial backing of the North East Combined Authority and what we have here is a powerful combination that will act as that important catalyst for future growth.”

Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, said: “The development of Aykley Heads and the Durham Innovation District is a unique opportunity to catalyse inclusive, innovative and sustainable growth in our region, by attracting new investment and creating new, high-quality jobs.

“We look forward to working with Durham County Council to ensure our communities benefit most from this nationally significant project.”

The Durham Innovation District is also backed by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and the North East Combined Authority as one of the region’s biggest and most significant investment opportunities. It has invested £9.2 million in the partnership as part of its programme to support economic growth and create opportunities for local people, while helping Durham enhance its role within the wider region.

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National campaign encourages holidaymakers to make Durham their Next Stop 

Partners get on board with latest national marketing campaign, left to right: Pam Porter Locomotion Museum, Richard Kaye Dalton Park, Duncan Peake Chair Visit County Durham, Matt McWhinnie Dalton Park, Sanjay Gidda Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels & Gardens, Sally Pearson The Bowes Museum, Dennis Wood The Auckland Project, Rhiannon Hiles Beamish Museum.

Visit County Durham has launched a major national destination marketing campaign to inspire consumers to make Durham their next stop for a staycation, positioning the county as a must-visit destination for UK holidaymakers.

Running from autumn 2025 to spring 2026, ‘Next Stop, Durham’ will highlight the county’s wealth of world-class attractions and events, outdoor adventures, hands-on history, and exceptional food and drink, and is designed to influence consumers to stop, stay, and explore everything the county has to offer.

Visit County Durham – Durham County Council’s tourism service – is delivering the campaign in partnership with visitor economy businesses including The Auckland Project, Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, Locomotion, Raby Estates, Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, The Bowes Museum, and Dalton Park, with additional support from accommodation providers Lumley Castle, Seaham Hall Hotel, and Radisson Blu Durham.

It comes as last year’s campaign reached over 18m people and contributed an estimated £165m visitor spend – the Local Visitor Economy Partnership is confident in delivering even greater results in the future.

The new campaign taps into a key opportunity as many people travel through County Durham by road or rail on their way to well-known tourist destinations such as York, Edinburgh, or the Lake District. ‘Next Stop, Durham’ aims to change that as consumers are now actively looking for alternative locations and new experiences, making the county perfectly placed to capitalise as a rising star in the UK staycation market.

It is set to further support the strong performance of the county’s visitor economy, which generated a record £1.38 billion in 2024, an 11.7% increase on 2023. Latest figures show 8% of the county’s visitors staying overnight, but contributing 43% of all expenditure, which is why growing the volume of visitors staying for longer breaks is a key priority for the campaign. As part of Visit County Durham’s commitment to positioning the county as a year-round destination, the campaign aims to extend the visitor season—bringing long-term benefits to local businesses and communities.

Duncan Peake, Chair of Visit County Durham and Chief Executive of Raby Estates, said: “We’re proud to be part of this high-profile national campaign, working in partnership to benefit the county’s visitor economy. By teaming up with partners across the sector for the Next Stop Durham campaign, Visit County Durham can deliver additional, high-profile marketing activity that shines a light on just how much there is to do in County Durham. It is important to highlight the county’s visitor offer which includes award-winning attractions, incredible heritage and fantastic places to eat and drink.”

Cllr Karen Allison, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Tourism, Regeneration and High Street, Durham County Council said: “Encouraging visitors to make County Durham their next stop is an important message, as evidence shows that many potential visitors pass through the county instead of taking the time to stay and explore. By highlighting the huge amount there is to do we are encouraging people to not just visit County Durham but to stay longer, which is crucial to supporting tourism businesses and delivering sustainable economic growth.”

The Next Stop Durham campaign will reach audiences through national media partnerships and editorials, influencer campaigns, digital advertising across key platforms, and high-impact out-of-home advertising. With strong partnerships, bold messaging, and a clear mission, Next Stop Durham is set to put the county firmly on the map for UK travellers looking for their next great escape.

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Durham University named The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year 2026 

Durham University students featured within the Times newspaper

We have been named the UK’s University of the Year 2026 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide.

The rankings are widely regarded as the definitive guide to UK universities, measuring criteria including student experience, teaching quality and graduate prospects. 

We are ranked third overall in the league table.  

We scored highly across the board, with the panel impressed with our high student satisfaction rates thanks to our exceptional college system and student enrichment opportunities.  

Durham graduates have excellent job prospects and our strength in preparing students for graduate careers also saw us named joint runner-up for University of the Year for Graduate Employment 2026.  

Judges also praised our teaching and research. 

Our strong performance in these prestigious rankings reflects how our diverse community of students are each supported as individuals to achieve the extraordinary.  

Helen Davies, the editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said our ‘stellar academic performance’ was boosted by improvements in teaching quality and student experience, and praised our ‘significant achievement’. 

An outstanding place to study   

Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Karen O’Brien, said: “Durham is an outstanding place to study. We ensure that every student can grow and thrive here.   

“Our loyal, engaged alumni are testament to the impressive career prospects that await our graduates.  

“As a diverse and global community, we are making progress in welcoming more under-represented students, including from our city and region.   

“Through a range of scholarships and one of the most generous bursary schemes in the country, we are supporting students to come here and participate in the wider opportunities available to them at Durham.   

“Every student can achieve remarkable things.”  

A World Top 100 University   

We are world top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2026, a position we have maintained every year since 2010.  

The QS also ranks us 64th globally for employability and 22nd for sustainability  

We are in the top five for all three major UK rankings: The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, the Guardian University Guide, and the Complete University Guide.   

In recent years we have seen an increase in positive responses via the National Student Survey, reflecting our ongoing focus on educational quality alongside a welcoming culture.  

This latest ranking success reinforces our position as a globally competitive university which welcomes talented students from all backgrounds to apply and thrive with us.  

Find out more  

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Champions set to showcase Durham on a global scale

Left to right- Tony Hanson, Corporate Director, Regeneration, Economy and Growth, Durham County Council; David Jackson, Marketing Director, Durham Cricket; Rhiannon Hiles, CEO, Beamish the Living Museum of the North; Emma Gaudern, CEO, EMG Solicitors; Richard Baker, Director Economic Development & Commercialisation Durham University.

Businesses, organisations and individuals from across County Durham have come together for the first Durham Champions – an exciting new county-wide network made up of people who are passionate about the place and want to see it thrive.

It follows the recent launch of the county’s place brand – ‘The Durham Story’ – spearheaded by Durham County Council, including its Visit County Durham and Business Durham services, and Durham University. The 12-month project saw engagement with hundreds of stakeholders from across the region, to identify a compelling new proposition for the county which will showcase County Durham on a global scale.

The Durham Story is an extraordinary blend of beauty, enterprise, heritage, culture and ambition, found in all four corners of the county. It shines a light on what makes County Durham special, its distinctiveness and character, and the opportunities for the growth and development.

This new approach will see organisations and individuals join forces and unite behind the brand to build the county’s image, identity and reputation, and harness profile-raising opportunities to reach audiences essential for economic success.

The first Durham Champions event took place on Thursday 25 July at Durham Cricket and was attended by over 50 businesses and individuals who want to work together to promote County Durham, and raise its profile as a place to live, work, invest, study and visit. Speaking at the event were Emma Gaudern, CEO, EMG Solicitors, David Jackson, Marketing Director, Durham Cricket, Rhiannon Hiles, CEO, Beamish the Living Museum of the North, Richard Baker, Director Economic Development & Commercialisation Durham University, and Tony Hanson, Corporate Director, Regeneration, Economy and Growth, Durham County Council.

Cllr Lyndsey Fox, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “The purpose of the new place brand for the county is ultimately to help it prosper. We are lucky that County Durham already has many individuals and businesses who are great ambassadors for our wonderful part of the world. We want to build on their fantastic contribution, and we want more of them, so we can create a powerful ‘team Durham’ approach. We have an amazing story to tell, and we all need to play our part in getting that story out there. Collaboration has never been more important, and together, the Durham Champions will demonstrate the confidence we have in our future and play a part in making that happen.”

Emma Gaudern CEO, EMG Solicitors hosted the event and said: “I am proud to be one of the first Durham Champions and part of this powerful new network. The Durham Story is inspiring and reflects the passion and ambition we have in abundance across the county. As an employer I was excited to see the Durham Story unveiled, and what this new approach to promoting the county can achieve through working together. The brand will support businesses and organisations to retain and attract talent, secure investment, and create opportunities by putting the county even more firmly on the map.”

To find out more about The Durham Story, visit Durham-UK.com and sign up to become a Durham Champion.