View from the Cafe Balcony – May 2022

Long to reign over us

At the time of writing, the spell of decent weather is continuing and Durham City Centre continues to look at its best. Congratulations must go to the Council’s Clean and Green team for all their efforts with the floral displays, which add so much colour and scent to the environment. Hopefully the various ‘in bloom’ judges will be suitably impressed on their visits to the city.

We must also hope the City of Culture 2025 judges were equally impressed on their recent visit to Durham. The much-anticipated result should be announced later this month and we have everything crossed that it’s a successful one. The benefits and prestige of being City of Culture can only help with a positive ‘bloom’ in the city centre’s fortunes.

On the plus side, whatever thoughts may be on the offer from the national retail units, for a city the size of Durham the quality of the independent offer must be the envy of many others; and its re-assuring to see new independent businesses continuing to open. In this period of the ‘cost of living crisis’ there is so much benefit to be derived from supporting your local independent businesses – they are the life blood of your city but, like any businesses, unless they are supported, they will struggle to survive.

There are 40 independent businesses in the Market Hall – if you visit it you will find quality, variety, niche and basic products all at reasonable prices, and with the owner of the business often the person serving you, you can be assured of quality customer service with in-depth product knowledge.

On the other side of the coin, the Milburngate development is nearing hand-over time and, apart from welcome office space and housing provision, there will be even more licensed premises due to join the already swelling ranks of such premises. The night time economy would seem to be booming but at what expense?

Furthermore, it looks like the building ear-marked for the new Council HQ is being sold to the University as the new Business School. This further demonstrates the incursion of the University into the city centre itself, where the number of staff and students must now be exceeding the number of residents. Certainly not an ideal, or enviable, position to be in, and whilst this remains more effort must be made by all to encourage the University, its staff and students to support the city centre economically, especially the independent businesses. Just because a business isn’t a high street name or well-known supermarket doesn’t mean it won’t offer a quality product and a reasonable price. Please look outside your comfort zone and explore all these small businesses on your doorstep.

On a positive note, the Queen’s fabulous achievement of 70 glorious years is due to be celebrated at the start of June.

Amongst events taking place in the city are:

• Jubilee Tea Dance in the Town Hall on Wednesday 1^st June from 11am to 2.30pm (tickets going fast – visit durhammarkets.co.uk/event for info);
• Jubilee Beacon being lit on Thursday 2^nd June;
• Durham BID’s beacon trail throughout June, and Jubilee street entertainment in city centre on 2^nd and 3^rd June;
• a special service celebrating volunteers in Durham Cathedral on Saturday 4^th June;
• on Sunday 5^th June, the ‘Jubilee Big Lunch’ when you can bring your own picnic into the Market Place from 12 noon to 4pm, and enjoy family entertainment and quality music. Come along and enjoy your own picnic but please NO alcohol due to the existing regulations in force. There will be a limited number of tables and chairs available and here’s hoping the good weather continues for a few weeks more so we can celebrate the Platinum Jubilee in style in the heart of Durham.

Huge thanks to everyone involved in supporting, funding and volunteering all these Jubilee events. Further information on the events available on www.cityofdurham-pc@gov.uk .