Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

UK City of Culture 2025: County Durham’s Bid

27 April 2022 · 3 other contributors · 4,811 words

Opened by Paul Howell Con Sedgefield

Responding minister: Nigel Huddleston

Culture, Media & Sport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Paul Howell raised concerns about uk city of culture 2025: county durham’s bid in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • County Durham is one of four finalists for the UK City of Culture 2025 bid.
  • Durham's bid promises economic benefits including 40 million in direct spending and over 1,000 jobs.
  • The Minister highlighted Durham's cultural landmarks and its potential to attract millions of visitors and boost the economy.

Key requests to Government

I ask the Government to recognise the value that Durham's bid can bring to the county. The council expects an additional £700 million visitor spend by 2025, with almost 16 million visitors including 4 million overnight and 3.5 million international visitors.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Paul Howell Con Sedgefield

I am thrilled that our bid has placed us among the four finalists for UK City of Culture 2025. Our case is summarised by 'Into the Light: The past we inherit, the future we build'. Durham's rich history includes landmarks such as Durham cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage site), Ushaw college, and the Stockton and Darlington railway bicentenary in 2025. We have a strong mining heritage, cultural landmarks like the Empire theatre, and significant political and military history. In economic terms, being city of culture would mean £40 million in direct spending, over 1,000 jobs created or kept, and more than 900 businesses benefitting.

Other contributors (3)
  • Dehenna Davison Con Broxburn and Chessel

    Emphasised County Durham's diverse cultural offerings, including food festivals, Michelin-starred restaurants, local cafés, breweries, heritage sites like the Durham miners' gala, military museums, art galleries, outdoor history displays, music venues, natural attractions, observatories, and international events. Encouraged visits to showcase the county's rich culture.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Welcomes the bid for County Durham to be the UK City of Culture 2025, highlighting the importance of its rich history and heritage, as well as the community spirit demonstrated by initiatives like the Tree of Hope.

  • Mary Foy Lab City of Durham

    Durham's bid for the UK City of Culture in 2025 aims to utilise the county's rich cultural heritage and economic strengths, such as its world-class university, emerging creative industries, and a growing green economy. The bid promises over £40 million in direct spending with at least 50% contracts going to local suppliers, creating or protecting more than 1,000 jobs. It also aims for an additional 15.7 million visitors and the creation of 1,800 new jobs.

Government Response

Nigel Huddleston

The Minister thanked the hon. Member for Sedgefield for securing the debate and highlighted the benefits of previous UK city of culture winners, such as Coventry, Hull, and Derry/Londonderry. He mentioned that Durham was one of four shortlisted places in the 2025 competition along with Bradford, Southampton, and Wrexham. The Minister noted that Durham's bid aims to bring people and communities together and has estimated impacts including 2,500 additional jobs in creative industries and over 16 million visitors to the region. He also highlighted that previous bids have seen significant investment and multiplier effects, even if they did not win. The Minister committed to visiting Durham to see its culture and heritage first-hand.

Get updates like this by email
▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy