Durham bid strong says panel

Durham’s culture partnership was today (March 9) among the first to reveal why its bid did not make the final shortlist to be UK City of Culture in 2013.

All 10 unsuccessful bidders have received feedback from the judging panel about their bids and Durham was praised for a well presented, strong bid and robust programme.

With a growing track record and well thought through delivery arrangements, the judges said the bid could deliver a successful programme with significant impacts.

But they were concerned about the ‘number and size of venues’ and other ‘visitor infrastructure which may restrict its ability to host very large scale events.’

While there was ‘good variety to the programme’ and ‘elements of national and international excellence,’ they felt there should be more ‘populist’ culture to widen its appeal.

Compared to the strongest bids, they said that Durham’s ‘cultural and visitor infrastructure might constrain its ability to sustain a high quality cultural programme over 12 months and to generate the economic impacts sought for 2013.’

“We value this sort of feedback as it not only tells us where we are doing well but also points us in the direction of the areas we need to focus on and improve in the future, said Councillor Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council.

“The majority of the bid assessment is supportive. The judges found the bid was extremely well presented, well developed and structured, and set out a clear programme of events and activities for 2013 and the run up to it.

“They acknowledged that it built on our cultural strengths, our buildings, landscapes, events, festivals and our artistic expertise and that we had explored a range of solutions for our lack of very large venues.

“However, we feel the very intimate and historic nature of Durham is one of our key strengths and what made us unique among the other bidders.

“But the judges were also impressed by the wide ranging support for the bid both locally and regionally, including funders, and our ability to deliver a strong programme of regular events and festivals as well as larger one-off events such as the hugely successful Lumiere.

“All the feedback will stand us in good stead as we plan to showcase our cultural offer in 2013 when we will have a major sporting event in an Ashes Test Match, a unique cultural icon in the Lindisfarne Gospels and a magical way of illuminating our heritage in the Lumiere winter light festival.

“We have already felt the benefits of the bidding process which has provided a springboard to help us achieve our aspirations. It will spur us on to redouble our efforts and make 2013 an amazing year in Durham,” he said.