In English Tourism Week, PETER BARRON reflects on the importance of tourism to the County Durham economy, and how the sector is supporting local communities during the coronavirus pandemic.

WE may be two months into the lockdown, with a huge array of tourism businesses closed, and yet they are still demonstrating how vital they are to the county’s economy and local communities.

It may not be possible to physically visit those attractions just yet, but we can all still marvel at what the county has to offer; still taste the special flavours of Durham; still learn from its unique heritage.

English Tourism Week, which started on Monday and runs until Sunday, is an annual VisitEngland initiative to celebrate tourism, and emphasise its value to the national economy. And that message has taken on extra poignancy in the light of the coronavirus pandemic.

The good news in County Durham is that tourism has become embedded in communities like never before, and that togetherness is driving a new level of adaptability and creativity.

Despite being in the midst of the biggest public health crisis in living memory, Michelle Gorman has seen enough ingenuity and resilience shine through the darkness to make her feel optimistic about the future.

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“It’s incredible how much has happened since the lockdown,” says Michelle, managing director of Visit County Durham, the destination management organisation for the county. “No one rested on their laurels – they sprang into action, adapted their offers, showed wonderful creativity, and engaged with communities.”

During the lockdown, Visit County Durham has been focused on supporting tourism businesses, and providing people with opportunities to enjoy and discover the county from the safety of their own homes, and those efforts are being appreciated.

“What I really love is that, even in the middle of a lockdown, we still receive messages from people thousands of miles away, commenting on the stunning images they’ve seen of Durham Cathedral, High Force, Beamish Museum, The Bowes Museum, as well as our other attractions, countryside and coast.”

The latest statistics underline the importance of tourism to County Durham’s economic success: 11,998 jobs, 19.7m visitors a year, and a value of £914m in 2018. The economic impact figures are expected any day for 2019 – designated as the ‘Year of Culture’ due to the 10th anniversary of the Lumiere light festival, World Cup cricket coming to Chester-le-Street, and an unprecedented series of festivals, openings, activities, and anniversaries.

The Northern Echo: Visitors thronged to the inaugural Seaham Food Festival in 2019, above.Visitors thronged to the inaugural Seaham Food Festival in 2019, above.

Durham was making its mark nationally and internationally, with figures heading back to the pre-recession levels of 2007-8, and I’m sure 2019 will be shown to have been a bumper year,” says Michelle.

Then came the shock of the coronavirus pandemic, but Michelle believes County Durham can emerge even stronger after an enforced period of reflection: “We won’t be going back to the way it was, but we’ve discovered new ways of working and consuming, while consolidating the family offer and sense of community,” she says.

Cllr Joy Allen, Cabinet member for transformation, culture and tourism, at Durham County Council, adds: “Now, more than ever, it is essential that we protect tourism’s future, a sector which is vital to the county. Not just in respect of its economic value in terms of jobs and visitor spend, but also because of how tourism businesses are so intrinsically linked to, and invested in, the communities in which they are located.

“English Tourism Week gives us the opportunity to highlight some of the incredible deeds being done by businesses including attractions and hotels, which, despite being closed to visitors during the pandemic, have been supporting their local community.”

That sense of community is certainly paying dividends in Bishop Auckland, where The Auckland Project is a shining example of tourism and community life being inter-dependent.

The Auckland Project is a visitor destination encompassing art, history, nature, faith, and food – delivered across several sites in and around Auckland Castle.

However, it has also harnessed the strengths of the local community and, when the castle, along with Auckland Tower and the Mining Art Gallery, were closed at the start of lockdown, those grass roots partnerships have proved to be a lifeline for many families.

The ‘Closed Doors Open Hearts’ project was launched, with The Auckland Project’s catering staff producing thousands of meals for people unable to access food due to financial challenges, health problems, or self-isolation.

The Auckland Project has a large central kitchen and, instead of being closed, it was used to prepare and freeze thousands of meals. A telephone line was then established so people could request food, and either collect it from a community hub or have it delivered. Partners include Health Express; South Durham Enterprise Agency; Woodhouse Close Food Bank; Shildon Alive; and Trimdon Community Centre.

The Northern Echo: Auckland Castle itself may not be open to visitors, but The Auckland Project has been at the heart of the community during the coronavirus pandemic. Photograph: House of HuesAuckland Castle itself may not be open to visitors, but The Auckland Project has been at the heart of the community during the coronavirus pandemic. Photograph: House of Hues

With funding and support from County Durham Community Foundation, local elected members, Area Action Partnerships, public donations, volunteers, and suppliers, more than 10,000 frozen meals and 400 fresh hampers have already been distributed. Part of Auckland Castle's Walled Garden has also been given over to grow produce for the initiative.

“It’s been a huge success,” says Liz Fisher, The Auckland Project’s curatorial and engagement director. “The investment we made in building those community links has really paid off during the crisis because there’s widespread trust. It’s made us realise more than ever the impact we can have.”

The Victoria Inn, in Witton-le-Wear, is another of The Auckland Project’s community partners, distributing meals to vulnerable and self-isolating families in the village. Landlord George Hall, his family, and village volunteers are also delivering basic essentials, including free flour, as well as serving as a food bank.

“It was just a case of us being in a position to help and it’s the right thing to do. It’s great to see the community pulling together, and people have been really grateful,” said George. “We have elderly people in the village, with underlying health conditions, so they can’t go out and it’s nice to be able to support them.”

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At Locomotion railway museum, at Shildon, the aim has been to enhance the visitor experience rather than just replicate it. The result was a series of 360-degree photographs taking visitors inside railway vehicles, including the Royal Carriages, the Advanced Passenger Train, and the smokebox of a locomotive. So far, the photographs have attracted more than 25,000 Facebook views.

“It’s a way of exploring parts of the exhibition you wouldn’t normally see,” says Head of Locomotion, Sarah Price.

With so many children being home-schooled, Locomotion is also part of a learning hub set up by the Science Museum Group, which has attracted a 400 per cent increase in views since the lockdown. Projects have included making models of old engines and linking up with Hitachi to build a model of a modern train.

“It’s not just about honouring the past but being a powerful force in the community and looking forward,” says Sarah. “We want to celebrate the historic story of the railways in the North-East but show it is still an important industry that young people can aspire to be part of.”

The Northern Echo: Locomotion railway museum is still thrilling visitors with all manner of train-related displays – only now they’re virtual!Locomotion railway museum is still thrilling visitors with all manner of train-related displays – only now they’re virtual!

The food and drink sector also play an increasingly important part in the tourism economy, with a record 29,000 people attending the fourteenth Bishop Auckland Food Festival in April, 2019, and thousands more flocking to the inaugural Seaham Food Festival.

The festivals, commissioned by Durham County Council, are key events for local producers so, when they had to be cancelled this year, the focus was shifted to doing as much as possible online.

‘Support Our Traders’ pages were swiftly added to the festival websites, showcasing a huge range of products, including puddings, cakes, fudge, gin, biscuits, sausages and street food. You can even have afternoon tea delivered to your home.

Instead of relying on events, traders moved on to online click and collect, as well as deliveries, and contactless payment systems. County council support staff got in touch with everyone involved and used social media to get the word out about what they were doing, what they could deliver, and online sales have been really healthy.

Weardale Cheese and Teesdale Cheesemakers are among those that had to adapt quickly. Cheese is made months in advance, so the companies were left with excess stock and had to find new ways to sell it.

Both firms recently took part in the first national Big Cheese Weekender – a free, online festival with live-streamed talks, tastings, farm tours, quizzes, and cookery demonstrations. And, by developing their online activities and partnering with other traders, they are negotiating their way through the crisis.

“It’s been a joy to see the way everyone has pulled together and been so inventive,” says Bev Channell, who programmes events at the festivals for the county council.

Durham Gin, set up by Jon Chadwick at Langley Park six years ago, is one of the businesses that would have featured at those two major food festivals.

The Northern Echo: Durham Gin founder Jon Chadwick at the site of the new distillery in Durham CityDurham Gin founder Jon Chadwick at the site of the new distillery in Durham City

However, the company, which is due to move to a new purpose-built site in Durham city centre in the autumn, has risen to the coronavirus challenge in a very different way. It is using a waste product from its distillery to produce vital supplies of hand sanitiser for health trusts, care homes and charities.

“Over time, we have invested in good quality equipment and people, so when the lockdown came, we were able to adapt, and I’m incredibly proud that we’ve been able to help out in this crisis.

“This area has always been known for its resourcefulness and strong sense of community, and it’s proving to be the case again.”

In these difficult times, we can all raise a glass to that.

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Also playing their part

Other businesses which, despite being closed, are supporting their local communities…

  • SEAHAM HALL: The boutique hotel – winner of a gold award at the recent North East Tourism Awards – is supplying hundreds of meals to frontline staff from the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. Find out more at www.seaham-hall.co.uk
  • DURHAM CATHEDRAL: Join Durham Cathedral for worship online, including daily live streamed services. Details of how to access pastoral care as well as online worship resources can be found at https://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/worship-music/online-worship-resources
  • GALA DURHAM & DURHAM UNIVERSITY: The theatre and university are uniting to produce Onstage: Online – a festival to celebrate creativity during the lockdown and showcase County Durham talent to a global audience. The festival, which takes place from June 11 to 14, will feature theatre companies and performing arts groups from across the county. Performances will be livestreamed on the Gala Durham’s YouTube channel. To find out more go to http://www.durham.gov.uk/festivalsandevents
  • ROCKLIFFE HALL: The hotel, at Hurworth-on-Tees, gifted 576 shower gels, which normally go in guests’ rooms, to Darlington Memorial Hospital after a message went out asking for products for many patients who don’t have any toiletries, due to the ban on visitors. Find out more at www.rockliffehall.com
  • RABY CASTLE: The Stables café, at Staindrop, is closed except for takeaways but staff donated a range of food products to critical care staff working at Darlington Memorial Hospital. Find out more at www.raby.co.uk
  • DURHAM MARKETS: During the temporary closure of Durham Market Hall, dedicated web pages and social media campaigns have supported the many traders who have introduced delivery services. www.durhammarkets.co.uk
  • ILES TOURS: To support home schooling during the lockdown, historian Alex Iles is offering key stage history workshops, giving a fascinating insight into County Durham’s heritage. Find out more at: www.ilestours.co.uk/history-lessons