NIGHT time revellers and students are being welcomed into Durham City – whilst also being asked to quieten down.

The City of Durham Parish Council and Durham University joined forces to promote responsible citizenship ahead of the University’s welcome and orientation week, from yesterday.

Councillors say they are pleased to see the reopening of the city's evening economies, the retail and hospitality sector recovering and the return of students to Durham include new starters.

As part of a multi-agency joint effort to ensure Durham remains a peaceful and harmonious place for all to live, visit, study and work, the annual resident-led Shhh…11pm to 7am campaign has been relaunched this week.

Lamppost signs, posters and beer mats in city and college bars will promote the Shhh campaign along with a virtual campaign, in conjunction with Durham BID, across the campus and on social media.

"Quiet Residential Area” has been sprayed on footpaths in key hotspots using temporary paint.

The parish council and university have jointly funded additional support for Durham police in the form of the University’s Community Response Team during Freshers’ Week.

And the Student Pledge, which sets out what kind of behaviour the University expects from its students, is being promoted.

Parish council chairman, Cllr Alan Doig said: “The Parish Council is absolutely delighted to be working with our partners and key stakeholders across the city in tackling a difficult and long running issue for the city.

"Durham is a fantastic place to live, visit and study with much to enjoy but like every university town, it does have its issues of late night noise disturbance and it is right that we try and tackle this issue by supporting this positive, resident-led campaign with a range of activity – including a public awareness campaign and greater resources for enforcement.

"Our message is clear as a parish council – a warm welcome to everyone to come and enjoy everything that Durham City has to offer but please do so with your neighbours in mind and we can keep Durham City that wonderful place for all to enjoy."

Alan Patrickson, chair of Durham City Safety Group, said: “Durham City is a wonderful and diverse place to live for those of all ages. Its great to see that after a tough 18 months due to the coronavirus pandemic the city’s bars, clubs and restaurants are welcoming people once again.

While we want everyone to enjoy themselves, we would also ask people to be considerate of others when coming home from nights out through residential areas.

"Please keep this in mind so that Durham City remains a welcoming, friendly and hospitable place for all.”

A Durham University spokesperson added: “Durham University is delighted to support the Shhh campaign, which aims to build positive relationships between all members of the Durham community.

"As part of this and as a result of our close dialogue with community members, we are pleased to be jointly funding additional support during Welcome and Orientation Week to help preempt and manage any anti-social behaviour.

"We encourage our students to be good and considerate neighbours, and this campaign reflects that ethos."

 

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