Client
City of Durham Council

Brief
We have agreed on an ambitious new vision for Durham, which will require major changes to the ways we manage and promote our city. What can we learn from other places?

Approach
Working with colleagues at Future Perspectives we initially compiled a long-list of 12 benchmark locations across the UK. These were narrowed down to five best practice cities - Bath, Chester, Norwich, Lincoln and Stirling - selected for their innovation and excellence in regeneration, town centre management, events, markets, enterprise and tourism. We organised one-day study visits to each city, involving a cross-section of stakeholders from across the Partnership. The visits were judged to be a great success. Six months later, a return-match was held in Durham, giving us the opportunity to showcase the many developments taking place in Durham city, as well as thanking our hosts for their hospitality.

Outcome
A variety of follow-up activities are planned, including joint projects, benchmarking and further visits.

Feedback
“The city visits and subsequent seminar hosted in Durham City were invaluable.  They allowed the Steering Group to reality check our Vision for the City.  We really appreciated our peer cities’ willingness to share lessons – both good and bad - with the rest of the group. We also came to realise quite how much we have to be proud of in Durham."
Tracey Ingle, Head of Cultural Services, Durham City CouncilEnabling Partnerships - II