Supporters top 10,000 milestone

Ten thousand … and counting.  That’s the growing army of people backing the bid to bring the UK City of Culture 2013 prize to Durham.

Since Durham confirmed it was in the running in the summer, the groundswell of support has raced past the first 10,000 milestone. Visitors to agricultural and summer shows, fun events, businesses, companies and student gatherings across County Durham have lined up to pledge their support.

Thousands have returned Back the Bid postcards, hundreds signed their names on an art gallery wall while others have chosen to sign up through the new website or Facebook.

So far, more than 11,000 people across all age groups have got behind the ambitious bid which aims to attract more visitors to the county, generate investment, create jobs, give people better prospects for the future and have a spin-off effect on the whole of the region.

 “Hitting that 10,000 milestone is a tremendous boost to the campaign,” said Melanie Sensicle, chief executive of Visit County Durham and creative lead for the bid.

 “It shows there is a groundswell of good will towards the bid from people and communities throughout the county. What we’d like now is for thousands more to get online or fill in a postcard to back the bid so that the total rockets even further.”

In addition to the 11,328 sign-ups, a further 700 people are backing the bid on Twitter and over 70 letters of support have been received from organisations including the NewcastleGateshead Initiative, Investing in Children, GlaxoSmithKline, DFDS Seaways, Newcastle International Airport, Go North East, Niall Quinn chairman of Sunderland AFC, the TUC, Sport England, the University of Sunderland, the Durham Hoteliers Association and the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham Sir Paul Nicholson.

The county is one of 29 areas which have expressed an interest in bidding for the prize. But it will host a Year of Culture in 2013 even if it does not capture the national title.