Businesses support County Durham City of Culture bid

Almost £500,000 in sponsorship has also been pledged towards the Durham 2025 campaign, while other businesses have volunteered their skills and time to help develop and raise awareness of the bid.

Go North East has wrapped one of its buses with Durham 2025 branding. Featuring bright colours and an eye-catching design, the bus will help spread the word about the bid across County Durham, Sunderland, and Newcastle.

Martijn Gilbert, managing director at Go North East, said: “We’re delighted to be showing our support for the Durham 2025 bid with our very own branded bus. The bus will help raise awareness of the bid across the region, shining a light on everything that County Durham has to offer. We can’t wait to see what the future has in store for the rich culture and tourist appeal of our region.”

County Durham’s shortlisted bid to be UK City of Culture 2025 is being driven by Durham County Council, Durham University and Culture Durham, a partnership of over 20 cultural organisations from across the county.

County Durham was one of just four places from across the UK to make the shortlist for UK City of Culture 2025. The winner is expected to be announced in late May. If Durham is successful it will be the first time a county has held the title.

The benefits of securing UK City of Culture status for County Durham and the wider region will create an additional 2,500 jobs in Durham’s creative industries and an extra 200 creative enterprises in the county by 2029; directly supporting almost 1,000 businesses and organisations; and creating a £41.5 million spend with at least 50 per cent of contracts going to local suppliers.

It would also attract more than 15 million visitors to the region, many of whom would stay overnight, helping to bring an additional visitor spend of £700 million and supporting the creation a further 1,800 jobs in the tourism sector.

Businesses wishing to pledge their support can do so online at Businesses – Back the Bid!