County Durham Market Review

Next Phase was engaged by Durham County Council to conduct an independent review of County Durham’s diverse market offering, spanning eight markets across the county. These markets range from smaller weekly gatherings to prominent city-centre events and seasonal pop-up markets. Despite their individual appeal, the markets lack a unified strategy and vision..

Our work involved thorough on-the-ground assessments, including site visits to each market on their trading days, in-depth interviews with market operators, and a comprehensive public survey that garnered county-wide participation and stakeholder interviews. This multifaceted approach allowed us to develop a clear picture of the strengths and challenges of each market and the broader market ecosystem within County Durham.

The findings were consolidated into a detailed report that not only addressed the unique characteristics and needs of each market but also provided a spatial analysis and an overarching review of the county’s market offer. Based on these insights, Next Phase delivered a series of actionable recommendations aimed at harnessing the full potential of markets as drivers for town centre regeneration.