A Connected County.
A Clearer Investment Decision.
12.1 billion
economy
1.38 billion
visitor economy
14.5k
businesses
1.5m
talent pool
Unlock Your Future in Durham
Don't miss your chance to discover the exceptional opportunities awaiting you in Durham.
DURHAM: YOUR GATEWAY TO GROWTH
We offer a unique and compelling proposition for developers, investors, and businesses seeking a thriving environment.
BEYOND THE PROSPECTUS: A WEALTH OF OPPORTUNITIES
Prepare to be impressed by the full spectrum of what Durham has to offer:
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A vibrant visitor destination: Immerse yourself in our rich cultural heritage.
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Innovative approaches to housing and placemaking: Discover our vision for sustainable and dynamic communities.
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Strategic investments in transport infrastructure: Seamless connectivity for your business needs.
UNLEASHING INNOVATION AND BUSINESS POTENTIAL
Durham is a hub of cutting-edge ideas and a thriving business ecosystem. Learn about the groundbreaking 62-hectare Innovation District in Durham City and discover why NETPark presents an unparalleled growth opportunity.
UKREIIF PANEL SESSIONS
- Creating Investment Corridors that unlock regional opportunity20 May 2026, 15:00 – 15:45North East England Pavilion 14
- Innovation Districts: What actually matters, what gets measured and what we’ve all been missing20 May 2026, 10:00 – 10:45North East England Pavilion 14
Building an innovative future
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
County Durham is the heart of North East England, both geographically and economically. We have ambitious plans to build on our world-class assets and create an exciting, innovative future for our people and economy. With our incredible natural landscapes, outstanding attractions, and enviable quality of life, we offer something for everyone.
With an economy worth £12.1 billion, home to 14,500 businesses that create 147,000 jobs and over 500,000 residents, the numbers stack up for ambitious businesses and entrepreneurs to see their ideas prosper.
Not only that, but we can also boast a talent pool of 1.5 million within a 1-hour drive, home to one of the World’s best universities in Durham, with four others close by offering the qualifications businesses need. We are well connected, with two international airports, three ports, mainline rail connections to the entire network, and excellent road infrastructure, avoiding the choking congestion other places suffer from.
Our visitor economy is worth over £1.38bn and is growing. It’s easy to see why, with world-class culture spanning international sport, events like Kynren, award-winning attractions such as Beamish Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site comprising Durham Cathedral and Castle, and a UNESCO Global Geopark.
We are innovation leaders, too. The North East’s only science park, NETPark, has recently expanded and has the potential to expand further up to 40 hectares. We are also developing the Durham Innovation District: Aykley Heads, a 62-hectare site in the heart of Durham City, served by the East Coast Mainline and minutes from the A1(M).
We have more room to build, with sites including 55 hectares at Forrest Park in Newton Aycliffe; Jade Business Park in Seaham, a total area of 18.85 hectares; and Integra 61 on the outskirts of Durham City on the A1(M), an expansive 82 hectares.
Find out more and build your future in County Durham.
NETPark
THE NORTH EAST TECHNOLOGY PARK
NETPark is one of the premier science, engineering and technology parks in the United Kingdom, specifically designed to commercialise cutting-edge research and development. Established in 2004, the park operates within a collaborative triple helix framework that unites Durham County Council, Durham University, and the Centre for Process Innovation with high-growth enterprises. This powerful ecosystem serves as a primary innovation engine, helping leading businesses, academic researchers and ambitious entrepreneurs transform pioneering science into commercial success.
The campus provides a vibrant community where more than 40 innovative companies thrive, supporting more than 1,000 highly skilled specialist roles. To accommodate rapid business expansion and meet critical capacity needs, the estate features premier incubator and grow-on facilities. Landmark developments such as Plexus, Discovery, and Explorer offer exceptionally flexible environments, enabling businesses to transition smoothly from early-stage laboratory research to full commercial production.
Firms based here gain direct access to highly competitive, affordable production floor space alongside advanced scientific laboratories. More importantly, the estate integrates businesses into elite innovation networks, significantly accelerating product development. This world-class environment is uniquely supported by major national assets permanently located on site, including the National Innovation Centres for Printable Electronics, Formulations, and Healthcare Photonics, as well as the High Value Manufacturing and Satellite Applications Catapults.
As the estate continues to evolve, the newly completed Phase Three expansion is set to further scale this impact, with projections to introduce an additional 1,250 high-value roles to Durham. By offering unmatched physical infrastructure and immediate proximity to elite research institutions, the park ensures that frontier science companies have the exact tools, space and collaborative community required to capture global market opportunities.
Durham Innovation District
a triple helix approach
The Durham Innovation District is a major, nationally significant city centre development that expands the pipeline of specialist, high-tier talent for the regional labour market and increases city centre footfall, supporting local retail and hospitality. Fully owned by Durham County Council, this first-class campus spans 62 hectares. Hybrid planning consent has already been granted for the masterplan, allowing up to 400,000 sq. ft. of commercial floor space. The site is a few minutes' walk from Durham railway station, served by the East Coast Mainline, CrossCountry and TransPennine services, and is accessible by car from the A1(M) in under 10 minutes. The project secured Mayoral Development Zone status in March 2026, unlocking £27m in funding from the North East Combined Authority to accelerate delivery.
The Aykley Heads campus is the primary engine of this vibrant district, offering high-quality facilities and commercial floorspace within a beautifully landscaped, mature woodland setting. The campus serves as a physical catalyst for growth across the wider district, housing established innovators such as Waterstons alongside the Durham City Incubator, which actively nurtures university spin-outs and high-growth start-ups. The next phase of Aykley Heads will build on this experience to create a first-class innovation ecosystem that enables businesses to thrive, driving a step change in economic growth across the region.
Backed by Durham County Council and Durham University, the district utilises a formal collaboration agreement to create a powerful triple helix approach. This framework integrates civic leadership, academic research, and corporate enterprise, giving businesses seamless access to world-class talent, networks, and resources in a setting that retains a strong community feel. The formal partnership with the university includes agreed plans for an on-site supercomputer, establishing sophisticated infrastructure that positions the district alongside the world's most advanced research hubs.
This premier development offers a lucrative investment opportunity in key future industries, targeting high-growth, knowledge-intensive sectors such as data science, artificial intelligence, and defence. The district is expected to create up to 3,700 knowledge-intensive roles across 400,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. By combining high-quality office infrastructure with a unique natural setting, the Durham Innovation District is designed to attract scaling businesses seeking to invent, validate, and commercialise future technologies.
Visit Us
Come and visit us during UKREiiF at the North East England Pavilion, Water Pavilion 14, Pink Zone to find out how you can build a future in County Durham.
Get In Touch
TO BUILD YOUR FUTURE
For more information about building your future in County Durham, please complete this brief form. We look forward to working with you.