Durham Cricket is delighted to announce that planning permission has been approved for a proposed 152-bedroom, four-star hotel with associated parking facilities at the Banks Homes Riverside ground.
The development represents a monumental milestone for both Durham Cricket and the wider county, creating a significant opportunity to drive economic growth, support local employment, and enhance the region’s visitor accommodation offering.
Ideally situated close to Durham City and the A1(M), the hotel will provide much-needed high-quality hotel room capacity for County Durham, helping to meet growing demand from business and leisure travelers alike. The development will also feature a bar and restaurant, creating an attractive new destination for local residents and visitors to the area.
A unique aspect of the hotel will be a number of pitch-facing rooms overlooking the cricket ground, which will provide exciting new hospitality opportunities and a premium matchday experience for guests and supporters.
Importantly, the development will help secure the long-term future of Durham Cricket by creating a sustainable and consistent revenue stream for the club, strengthening its financial position while supporting future investment both on and off the field.
Commenting on the approval, Durham Cricket Chief Executive, Tim Bostock, said: “This has been a long process with a few issues to overcome, mainly around environmental and flooding concerns.
“I’d like to thank my team behind the scenes and everyone at the council who worked tirelessly to get the application approved. I’d also like to thank all of the regional bodies and businesses who have offered their support for the development.
“We will now progress with finalising funding, which will likely be a mix of private funding and investment from the club.
“It’s a great day for the club and will help secure our long-term future without risking the club’s financial position. There is still some way to go, but this is a major hurdle that has not previously been passed.
“We will continue to keep all members, supporters and local residents updated on progress as we move into the next phase of the process.”
The project is expected to generate significant economic benefits for the local area through job creation, increased visitor spending, and wider support for businesses across County Durham.
Durham Cricket looks forward to working with partners and stakeholders as the project moves into its next stage and towards delivery.