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NE mayoral debate comes to Durham
Plus NE studio gets go-ahead, Durham's Heritage Coast named top destination and much more!
Stephen
March 11, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes
Good morning, Durham! There’s so much going on in Durham lately that we’ve updated the format of the newsletter to accommodate it. Hope you like it.
In today’s newsletter:
NE mayoral candidates clash in Durham
New North East film studio gets the go-ahead
Durham’s Heritage Coast named as top destination
Chester-le-Street's culinary carnival gears up for expansion
And so much more!
Let’s get to it.
— Stephen
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
📸 Colin Richardson | 📍 Brancepath Village
NORTH EAST MAYOR
Candidates clash in Durham’s historic mayoral debate
North East Mayoral debate at St. Chad's College. Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle
Durham University’s St Chad’s College was abuzz on Monday night as five hopefuls for the North East’s first mayoral election squared off in a landmark debate.
The event, marked by both camaraderie and contention, saw Labour’s Kim McGuinness, Conservative Guy Renner-Thompson, independent Jamie Driscoll, the Green Party’s Andrew Gray, and Liberal Democrat Aidan King, share their visions for tackling the region's pressing issues, from transport to climate.
The discussion ventured into diverse territories, including on-demand bus services, the potential for the North East to become a green energy hub, and ambitious plans for education and job creation in emerging sectors.
With the mayoral role promising to shape the future of a two-million-strong population across seven areas, the evening’s exchanges underscored the high stakes and the varied paths proposed to steer the North East towards prosperity and sustainability.
The historic election is set for 2nd May and follows the devolution deal which will grant the North East new powers and funding.
DURHAM BY THE NUMBERS
🚌 360,000: The number of people who used Durham City’s new bus station in its first month of operation. [Durham County Council]
🛜 61%: The percentage of homes and businesses that can access gigabit-capable broadband in County Durham. [Digital Durham]
WEATHER
Even though the temperatures gently climb the ladder this week, the skies will be mostly cloaked in clouds, with just a cheeky wink of sun to round off the work week.
Monday, 11th: 7°C 🌡️ 4°C. Overcast ☁️
Tuesday, 12th: 10°C 🌡️ 6°C. Cloudy ☁️
Wednesday, 13th: 15°C 🌡️ 8°C. Light rain changing to cloudy by late morning 🌦️ ➡️ ☁️
Thursday, 14th: 15°C 🌡️ 8°C. Cloudy ☁️
Friday, 15th: 16°C 🌡️ 7°C. Cloudy changing to clear by early evening ☁️ ➡️ 🌤️
THE ARTS
Congrats to Sunderland with new £570M film and TV studio complex
Twenty sound stages are set to be built on the banks of the River Wear. Image: Crown Works Studio
What: The UK government has confirmed significant funding towards the establishment of Crown Works Studios in Sunderland. This major TV and film studio complex is expected to cost £570m, combining £120m from the government deal and £450m raised through private investment by Fulwell Cain, a partnership between Fulwell 73 and Cain International.
When: The announcement came on 6th March, with expectations for the studio to be operational by 2027, pending planning permission approval later this month.
What does this mean for the North East: Crown Works Studios is poised to revolutionise the creative and economic landscape of the North East, marking a game-changing development for Sunderland and beyond. The creation of approximately 8,500 jobs and the establishment of a training strategy aimed to transform the North East into a global hub for film and TV production.
THE DIGEST
🌊 Durham's Heritage Coast crowned top Easter destination: Durham's Heritage Coast has been officially named the UK's most scenic spot to visit this Easter according to a recent survey. Known for its stunning landscapes, the coast stretches from Sunderland to Hartlepool and is renowned for its 11-mile coastal path, offering expansive ocean views and abundant wildlife. thenorthernecho.co.uk
Durham’s Heritage Coast. Image: thisisdurham
🚂 £350k boost for Leamside Line's comeback journey: The Government has earmarked £350k to kickstart the revival of the Leamside Line, a once bustling railway that's been silent since the '60s. This cash injection is set to develop a "strategic outline case" for part of the route, specifically from Washington to Ferryhill. It's a key step in bringing back to life this crucial piece of infrastructure, with hopes pinned on reconnecting communities and providing a vital alternate path for the East Coast Main Line. itv.com
📱 New app unveils shipwreck history and wildlife of North East coastline: The SeaScapes app has been launched to guide users through the North East's coastline, stretching from the Tyne to the Tees. This digital tool is designed to enrich users with detailed notifications on key coastal locations, including shipwreck sites and areas of geological interest like Seaham, Blast Beach, and Blackhall Rocks. The initiative aims to educate locals about their coastline's rich heritage and biodiversity and engage them in its preservation. chroniclelive.co.uk
🍲 Chester-le-Street's culinary carnival gears up for expansion: Chester-le-Street is set to tantalise taste buds once more with the return of the Chester-le-EATS Festival, promising an even bigger feast of flavours and fun this 5th and 6th October. The festival, this year taking place at Durham Cricket’s grounds, has seen a mouth-watering surge in popularity, drawing 10,000 visitors last year for a sensational spread of music, dance, and dining. chesterleeats.spotty-media.com
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
Properties in Co Durham borders that recently came to market.
The Larches, Durham DH1
Image: Rightmove
Detached | Bed: 7 | Bath: 4 |
The Larches, constructed circa 1905, is located at the head of Larches Road, offering a magnificent and privileged view over Flass Vale Dene towards Durham Cathedral. Situated in the highly desirable area of Durham city, it is a 12-minute walk to Durham Railway Statio linking to London via the East Line railway within 2 hours and 40 minutes, and Newcastle within 15 minutes. Flass Vale Dene is a protected natural wildlife corridor on the edge of Durham city, with lovely trees and walks. This house is situated on the boundary of the Dene and enjoys some of the lovely views from its hilltop location.
EVENTS
What’s happening this week
Music
🕯️ Coldplay by Candlelight. Thursday 14th, 8 pm: Hear the music of Coldplay under the gentle glow of candlelight playing classics including Clocks, Yellow, Fix You and Paradise. At Durham Cathedral. Tickets.
🎤 The Dusty Show. Saturday 16th, 7:30 pm: A celebration of a true British pop icon. An unforgettable evening of wall-to-wall hits and classics spanning the success of Dusty Springfield’s life and music. At The Fire Station. Tickets.
Theatre
🎭 Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival. Tuesday 12th, 7 pm: Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation presents the world’s largest youth drama festival. Join them for an exhilarating evening of live theatre, featuring a series of unique abridged Shakespeare productions by local schools and see Shakespeare’s timeless stories brought to life like never before. At the Gala Durham. Tickets.
🎭 Meausure for Measure, Wednesday 13th - Friday 15th, 7:30 pm: A gothic-inspired adaptation of Shakespeare's most provocative problem play, 'Measure for Measure', follows Isabella in her attempt to save her brother's life against the backdrop of a vice-ridden Vienna. At The Assembly Rooms. Tickets.
BUSINESS NEWS
🧑🌾 Barnard Castle Farmers' Market crowned Farmers’ Market of the Year: Barnard Castle Farmers' Market has been hailed as the Farmers’ Market of the Year at the prestigious Farm Retail Association awards. Recognised for its fantastic array of stalls and exceptional customer interaction, this Co Durham gem outshone the competition to secure the title. Offering everything from organically grown meats and vegetables to artisan cheeses and homemade treats, the market is a great place to visit and sample quality food. chroniclelive.co.uk
🏢 Bishop Auckland's business boost: 28 new units to spark jobs and growth: Durham County Council is on the brink of green-lighting a project that promises to energise Bishop Auckland's economy. The proposed development at South Church Enterprise Park involves constructing 28 business units, spanning 45,000 sq ft of industrial space designed to nurture new and young businesses. This £8.5 million scheme, potentially buoyed by significant funding from the Stronger Towns Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, aims to tackle the current shortage of industrial space in the county. insidermedia.com
THANKS!
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