The nerve-racking wait is almost over and the date has now been set for when County Durham finds out if it will be named City of Culture 2025.
The decision will be broadcast live on BBC's One Show on May 31 which starts at 7pm and is joint presented by former Newcastle United midfield player, Jermaine Jenas.
The region is in competition with Wrexham, Bradford, and Southampton for the prestigious award, with the winner enjoying a series of high profile cultural events over 12 months.
Read more: County Durham’s UK City of Culture 2025 bid remains on track
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.
As well as the cultural impact the award provides a huge economic boost to the local area. For example a previous winner was Derry in Northern Ireland which between 2011 and 2017 saw its overnight hotel occupancy increased by 7%.
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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