Durham County Council has welcomed news that funding for town centre regeneration will move forward, following confirmation from the Chancellor that the long-term Plan for Towns fund will be incorporated into a newly formatted national regeneration strategy.

Since last October, Durham County Council has been consulting on regeneration plans for Spennymoor, one of several towns set to benefit from the £1.1 billion fund dedicated to town revitalisation. This funding is earmarked for projects over the next decade, focusing on high street revival, curbing anti-social behaviour, improving transportation, and boosting the local economy. The council has already invested over £7 million in Spennymoor, with projects such as the redevelopment of Festival Walk shopping centre and upgrades to the town’s leisure centre.


A Spennymoor Town Board has been established to guide the initiative, incorporating feedback from residents, stakeholders, and businesses to shape priorities. Revised guidelines from the government, detailing strategic objectives and updated timelines, are expected soon, with further community engagement sessions planned in the coming months. Project implementation under this program is set to begin in 2026.