A DATE for when County Durham will find out if it has become the City of Culture 2025 has been set – with the moment streamed live on the BBC for everyone to see.

The region is currently battling it out with Wrexham, Bradford, and Southampton for the esteemed title in three years’ time, which will see the winning location given an unrivalled cultural programme of events.

Earlier this month, the judging panel of the City of Culture were treated to a tour of Durham Miners’ Hall, Durham University, and other cultural landmarks across the region in a bid to bring the title to County Durham.

Read more: UK City of Culture 2025: Everything you need to know

But it’s now been revealed that the county will find out its fate live on BBC One next Tuesday (May 31).

The whole of the county will be holding its breath when The One Show broadcasts at 7pm – and will contain the decision of the judging panel.

The effects of this accolade have been transformative for previous winners: between 2011 and 2017, Derry’s overnight hotel occupancy increased by 7 per cent.

In 2017, Hull’s year as UK City of Culture, the city welcomed an estimated 1.3 million more visitors than in 2013, when it submitted its bid.

It also attracted £220m of investment in Hull and created 800 new jobs in the area - with over 130 new businesses starting up during its year as City of Culture.

County Durham will be hoping a similar impact will be felt if it is successful in its bid.  

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