Durham City Vision
Historic City regeneration given multi-million pound boost
18th November, 2008
The regeneration of one of the UK’s most historic cities has been given a major boost with the announcement today (Tuesday) of further funding.
One North East’s board has given the green light to a £4m funding package which will enable the refurbishment of Durham City’s Market Place, a key element of plans to create more jobs and businesses in the city.
The upgrade of the Market Place, which will be led by the Durham City Vision team, will create a high quality public space that can be used for markets, events and gatherings and as a much-improved gateway to the city’s World Heritage Site.
It will encompass physical streetscape improvements, including lighting and signage, and shop front improvements to the Market Place and Vennels (the narrow medieval alleys and streets), enabling the area to become the most important commercial asset in the city.
Ed Rowley, Acting Director of Regeneration at One North East, said: “The Market Place is a central component of the Durham City Vision project and we must invest in it if we’re to get the most from the potential of Durham City.
“The city is already famous for its history, culture and World Heritage Site status but we also want to improve its status as a leading tourist, business and retail location. This further investment will enable the Durham City Vision team to do that, building on the excellent work it has already done in Durham.
“These are really exciting times for Durham. It is already considered to be one of the jewels in the region’s crown and I’m certain the masterplan developed as part of the Vision project will ensure it achieves its full potential, putting it at the forefront of the region’s economic development.”
The One North East funding will lead to the following outputs:
• A further £1m worth of public sector and £250,000 of private sector match funding
• An estimated 30 businesses supported through shop front improvements
• Increasing shoppers/visitor numbers to the area from 600,000 to 1m between now and 2012
• Reducing vacancy rates in prime areas from the current level of 8% to a national average of 3-4%
• Increasing annual visitor spend figures from the 2006/07 level of £16.8m to £30m by 2012
• Creating a more manageable and useable space within the Market Place.
Durham City Vision, a joint initiative by the City of Durham Council, Durham County Council, One North East, Durham University, Durham Cathedral Chapter and the North East Chamber of Commerce, aims to transform the centre of Durham by making the most of its cultural and historic assets while creating a vibrant city centre economy.
Harvey Dowdy, Director of Regeneration at Durham City Vision, said: “We are delighted to receive this important funding boost which will kick start the regeneration of the Market Place, a key site in the centre of the city.
“This is yet another exciting step in the realisation of the Durham City Vision Masterplan that continues to see Durham fulfilling its potential as a fantastic place to visit, work, live and study.”
The funding is part of a major long-term agenda to transform and get the maximum potential out of Durham, building on the historic values of the city while modernising it and attracting inward investment, business opportunities and more tourists.
Other elements of the Durham City Vision project include the redevelopment of the former ice rink; new developments on Claypath and North Road; maximising the potential of the city’s World Heritage Site status; improving Durham’s river banks; and the overall upgrade of the city centre to meet the expectations of residents, businesses and visitors alike.
Also included is Durham University’s £60m Gateway programme, which includes a new £20m university headquarters and student services building, a £15m law building and a £15m extension of the University’s main library. Once completed, this will then allow the law library to be transferred from Palace Green, creating space for future developments linked to the World Heritage Site.
The new £4.06m funding package will be available over the next four years.
