The Light offers a bright future for County Durham culture

5th December 2025

The name of a new cultural venue that will boost Durham City’s visitor offer and provide a home for creativity and innovation has been announced.

The Light will bring together art and science in an engaging space where visitors will be able to view internationally significant exhibitions; artists will be able to create and collaborate, and communities can gather.

The name of the Durham County Council-run venue has been inspired not just by the building’s history, but also its future use.

Once the site of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) Museum and Art Gallery, the building is undergoing significant works, which have seen it stripped down to its basic structure and almost completely rebuilt.

While it’s new design will transform The Light into a multipurpose cultural space, the venue’s links to military history will be retained through a dedicated DLI Gallery telling the story of the ‘Durhams’ through objects, documents and film footage from the DLI Collection.

The new name also reflects County Durham’s many associations with light – from the creation 1,300 years ago of Bede’s lunar calendar to Durham University’s involvement in the James Webb Space Telescope.

Housing the county’s only contemporary art gallery, The Light will also provide a beacon for creativity, arts and culture when it opens, with light art also set to play a prominent role.

More than just an exhibition space, The Light will also offer facilities to host private events and conferences, and a ground floor café will provide a place for visitors and passers-by to stop for refreshments. The stunning natural grounds will be an oasis in the centre of the city and a place for reflection.

Cllr Karen Allison, Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “The transformation of the site in the past few months has been amazing. It’s been fantastic to see the venue taking shape and, now that we’re able to announce its name, it really feels like we are getting closer to opening day.

“I’m sure The Light is going to provide a fantastic place for local residents, people in our wider communities and visitors from near and far to enjoy – all bringing a financial boost the city and county.

“County Durham has a long history of culture-based regeneration, and we are committed to building on its reputation as a culture county.”

Situated at the heart of Aykley Heads, The Light will be an anchor institution of Durham’s Innovation District, which took a major step forward just last month when Durham County Council signed a Collaboration Agreement with Muse and Durham University to accelerate its development as a hub for investment and innovation.

Acting as a meeting place and a creative hub, The Light will support the game-changing ambitions of the new district and play a key part in the sustainable growth of the site.

Cllr Allison added: “The innovation district will revitalise the Aykley Heads area, creating a new employment district and thousands of new jobs. To have a cultural venue such as The Light at its centre can only enhance its appeal.

“The café will be a great place for an informal meeting, while the opportunity to host a corporate event in the surroundings of a contemporary art gallery really is something pretty special.”

The Light, which is due to open next year, will be a sister venue to The Story, which provides the permanent home to the DLI Collection. The two venues will work together, along with other attractions across the county, to support a local, regional and national visitor offer that celebrates our heritage and highlights our ambition.

Col Ted Shields MBE, chair of the DLI trustees, said: “The trustees have been following closely the council's plans to regenerate the former DLI Museum and Art Gallery site at Aykley Heads.

“The redesign of the building, including the dedicated DLI Gallery, is truly impressive and will surely put The Light - and The Story - at the very forefront of the culture and heritage sector.

“The branding is stunning – communicating vision and innovation as well as tradition. ‘Durham’ or civilian, young or old, local resident or visitor from afar - all will be inspired. Our congratulations and thanks to the council and all involved.”