Bishop Auckland Town Centre Forum
Bishop Auckland Town Centre Forum has been announced as regional winner of the Enterprising Britain 2007 Awards for the North East of England.
The award has been given to the Forum’s Marketing and Promotions Sub Group to celebrate their achievements in increasing the community spirit by encouraging people to take part in events held in and around Bishop Auckland.The Forum itself is a community-based organisation launched in 2003 to co-ordinate the regeneration of this South West Durham market town. The Marketing and Promotions Sub Group is a volunteer group formed by the Forum that has, over the last four years, developed and implemented a proactive and adventurous events-led strategy, which has met the Forum’s aim of generating great community spirit and pride in the town.
This busy market town, which commands spectacular views of the surrounding County Durham countryside, has a proud industrial heritage but it has suffered in recent years through the decline of coal mining, then manufacturing and the Foot and Mouth outbreak. In the 2004 Index of Multiple Deprivation this area of the Wear Valley was rated as the most deprived rural district in England. This was a low point for the town and it helped provide the impetus for the change. The Forum aimed to restore Bishop Auckland to a vibrant, attractive town for the benefit of the whole area, and by promoting the town as a great place to live, work and visit, it has successfully built on its heritage and character.
The Marketing and Promotions Sub Group’s successes so far include the Bishop Auckland Motor Show, a 1940s Nostalgia weekend, Proms in the Park, a Christmas lights procession, Cask in the Castle – The Wear Valley Brewery, Ladies Indulgence, a fashion shopping evening, and The Teddy Bears Picnic.
However, the most successful event has been the Wear Valley Food Festival, which takes place in and around Auckland Castle, and has grown into a major regional draw for stallholders and visitors. This year the festival attracted a total of over 58 market stalls selling everything from farmers’ produce to arts and photography. Visitor numbers have also mushroomed; from 7,000 who attended the first festival in 2003, to over 23,000 in 2007.
While the exact contribution that the events programme, and the Wear Valley Festival in particular, makes to the long-term local economy of the town is hard to quantify there are several positive indications as to the town’s growing economic health. The number of vacant commercial properties in the town centre has fallen from 64 in 2003 to 20 in 2007, a number of national retailers have located in the town, footfall and spending is being improved, and the self-confidence of the town’s community has improved.
In addition, the Town Centre Strategy developed by the Sub Group aims to strengthen the retail competitiveness of the town centre, create a clear and consistent marketing strategy for the town, and create a genuine partnership between the public and private sectors and the community to manage change effectively.
Bishop Auckland is now a town on the up. Its image is changing and with the drive and enthusiasm of The Town Centre Forum, the active work of volunteers, the backing of Wear Valley District Council and the other organisations, the future looks bright.
Sue Snowdon, Chairwoman of Bishop Auckland Town Centre Forum, said:
“The group is delighted and overwhelmed with the award. It means an immense amount to the team, but more importantly to the local community.
“It is recognition of the very hard work that has been put in to many local events and the support we have harnessed from the local community. We look forward to the national final in September and to formulating ideas on how we can best use the £35,000 that has been generously awarded by One NorthEast.”
Tim Pain, Head of Enterprise and Business Support at One NorthEast, said:
“We are extremely impressed with all of the great work that the Marketing and Promotions Sub Group is doing, and its successes speak for themselves.
“Its community spirit and tenacity to bring about change is a credit to both its members and to the town of Bishop Auckland. We wish them all the best when they represent the region in the national competition.”