Coastal ‘beauty spot’ to become home to new tourism hub with £250k funding

A coastal County Durham town is set for a new learning and community hub that is expected to boost the area’s tourism.

Working with the Heritage Coast Partnership, Durham County Council is investing £250k in a bid to attract £1.35m funding from the government’s Coastal Community Fund for a new hub at Crimdon Dene.

Situated in the seaside town of Crimdon near Hartlepool, the hub will become a place for local visitors and tourists to learn about the local coastal wildlife.

In addition, the building will offer a 40-seat café with an adjacent kitchen, a changing places room, two accessible toilets, a baby changing room, and a volunteers’ room.

Cllr Joy Allen, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for transformation, culture and tourism, said: “Each year we have been seeing the number of visitors to Crimdon increase as more and more people flock here to enjoy the views, beaches and the dynamic landscape of our county’s coastline.

“This new coastal hub will provide much-needed facilities for visitors, in turn attracting tourists from further afield, and will make our coast more accessible for schools, local organisations and those who are less able and can make use of the facilities.”

Cllr Carl Marshall, the council’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration, added: “The plans for a new coastal hub at Crimdon will not only add to what our stunning coastline already has to offer, but will help create a community space to attract even more visitors which in turn will help to boost our county’s economy in its recovery during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are pleased that the build of this modern, environmentally-conscious, community hub can begin this autumn, ready to welcome visitors in the summer next year.”