Durham locals and visitors soon to see The Light

Council gets keys to new venue

Inside The Light: Councillor Karen Allison with, from left, Ben Kelsey, senior projects and performance manager at Durham County Council, Councillor Joe Quinn and Ian Lamming of Willmott Dixon

Another milestone has been reached in the transformation of the old DLI Museum & Art Gallery into new Durham cultural venue The Light.

The building has been formally handed back to the city council by construction firm Willmott Dixon.

The firm has spent the past two years stripping the place down to its basic structure and almost rebuilding it.

Now, say the council, the building at Aykley Heads is capable of staging world class exhibitions – although it will also have a dedicated DLI gallery, telling the story of the Durham Light Infantry, known as the ‘Durhams’.

Officially it is being described as a multipurpose cultural space and a sister venue to The Story which is the permanent home of the DLI Collection.

Councillors Allison and Quinn, the latter cabinet member for planning, investments and assets, outside The Light last year

The plan is for it to open to the public in the summer with around 18 members of staff (there will also be opportunities for placements, residence schemes, volunteering and fixed-term paid employment).

Councillor Karen Allison, the county council’s cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “It’s been fantastic to witness the transformation of this building into a venue that will not only provide enriching experiences for our residents but will attract tens of thousands of visitors each year, strengthening the county’s tourism offer and boosting our economy.

Sister venue The Story, which opened in June 2024

“With construction now complete, we can begin to kit out the building’s interior.

“We will also be installing our first temporary exhibition which will be the first of many showcasing world class creativity from the North East, the UK and across the globe.

“Light will play a prominent role, inspired by County Durham’s deep-rooted connection to light – from the creation of Bede’s lunar calendar 1,300 years ago and Joseph Swan’s pioneering lightbulb to Durham University’s involvement in the James Webb Space Telescope.”

The Light, conceived as an ‘anchor institution’ of Durham’s Innovation District, will incorporate a café and facilities for private events and conferences.

Click here to find out more about career opportunities at The Light.