Barnard Castle’s high street is getting a major boost thanks to new activities, including a parkrun, an enhanced Christmas display and exciting international exhibitions planned by The Bowes Museum.
Barnard Castle Town Council’s partnerships committee heard that the parkrun, which kicked off on the upper Demesnes last month, is bringing more than 200 people into the town centre each Saturday morning.
Businesses in town are also preparing for a bumper festive season with late night openings ahead of the Christmas lights switch on November 28, which promises a host of “surprises”.
And next year The Bowes Museum is aiming to bring international and national tourists to the town with a Vivienne Westwood exhibition followed by a display of impressionist works never seen before in the UK.
Cllr Fiona Turnbull told the meeting that 213 people had a attended the latest parkrun and 205 had taken part the week before.
John Emerson of the Meet committee said the event is transforming the high street on a Saturday morning.
He added: “It is marvellous to see so many people down there and I just notice how many people come off the Demesnes and use the catering facilities in the town.
“I was in the front street and they all came down to the cafes, Clarendons and everybody – it is bringing something to the town. These people are coming from far and wide.”
Cllr Turnbull said in addition to the runners there are 28 volunteers who ensure the event is a success.
Clerk to the town council Martin Clark said the Christmas Lights committee along with the council are working with shops and businesses in the town to boost footfall in the run up to the town’s festive display being turned on.
He said: “We are trying to get the businesses more involved.
“We won’t bring in concessions on Scar Top so it allows businesses in town to benefit. There might be some concession stands but they won’t be food vendors.”
Other changes include changing the way the lights are turned on and activities will no longer be centred on Scar Top but be more “town centric”.
Vicky Sturrs of The Bowes Museum added to the growing positivity in the town by announcing that a recent cash grant would allow the museum to appoint PR and media consultants to boosts its upcoming exhibitions. This includes a Vivienne Westwood: Rebel, Storyteller, Visionary display followed by an Impressions of Light 2026 exhibition.
She said: “We would expect a large footfall. It is going to be a beautiful exhibition. We are working on the [Westwood] exhibition design and looking at the ensembles and the way that is going to look – it is going to be gorgeous. I think it is going to be really popular.”
Duncan Barker also of the museum added: “We got some money from the Museum Renewal Fund to work with PR Media consultants that can extend our reach to beyond our region to actually go internationally and nationally.
“Particularly because the exhibition after Vivienne Westwood will be Impressions of Light, we are working with a gallery in Le Havre in France and having some impressionist works coming over to the UK for the very first time. With Vivienne Westwood and then Impressions of Light we hope to attract a much bigger audience.”
Partnerships committee chair Cllr Rima Chatterjee described the events and activities as a “big boost” for the town.
