Why corporate partnerships matter to Durham's future.
As Durham prepares to glow once again under the lights of Lumiere 2025, Stuart Lloyd, General Manager at Radisson Blu Durham reflects on how a decade-long partnership with Artichoke helped illuminate not just the city’s November nights, but its visitor economy, community connections and corporate identity.
A cultural event that sparked a legacy
Few events captured the spirit of Durham quite like Lumiere, the UK’s largest light art event. Produced by Artichoke, commissioned by Durham County Council and supported using funding from Arts Council England, it has drawn more than 1.3 million visitors since 2009 and generated over £43 million in economic impact for the region.
For Radisson Blu Durham, situated on banks of the Wear, in the heart of the city, the event represents more than a tourism boost. It’s a partnership that brings together hospitality, culture and purpose and one which showed how local businesses can play an active role in the region’s creative and economic regeneration going forward.
“Hosting Lumiere has been about more than accommodation, it’s about being part of the creative heartbeat that powers Durham, during those unforgettable November nights. And we’re proud to have been part of it.” says Stuart Lloyd, General Manager at Radisson Blu Durham.
A template for corporate hospitality partnership
The collaboration goes back to the very first Lumiere in 2009. Every two years, the hotel becomes a logistical hub for the event, accommodating over a hundred technicians, artists and organisers as they prepare installations across the city.
In addition to being the official accommodation partner for thousands of new and returning visitors to the event, the hotel also hosts the Sponsor’s Preview Night. An exclusive event that thanks local and national backers from across the business community from Prima Cheese and Durham University, New College Durham, Swinburne Maddison to host of trusts and foundations who support the event’s learning and participation work, including Point North and the Gillian Dickinson Trust. An opportunity to network, share and celebrate the city.
“It’s a great example of how cultural events bring public, private and creative sectors together.” adds Lloyd.
Investing in infrastructure for the future
As part of a £5 million refurbishment, Radisson Blu Durham’s conference and event facilities have been redesigned to meet growing demand from both cultural and corporate clients.
The Auger Suite, which hosts the Lumiere Sponsor’s Supper, now offers advanced AV technology, including InstaShare connectivity and reconfigurable layouts that make it ideal for hybrid events, workshops and creative showcases.
“Our refurbished spaces are about flexibility,” Lloyd explains. “They can transform from boardroom to gala dinner, from business summit to arts reception. This perfectly reflects Durham’s evolving identity as a city where culture and commerce work together.”
Beyond the event: year-round impact
While Lumiere will light up three nights this November, the partnership’s benefits have and will endure year-round. The event has contributed to stronger local recognition, new client relationships and repeat business from visitors who first discovered the city during the festival.
Durham’s hospitality sector has benefited from the increased national profile that Lumiere has brought. Data from Durham County Council shows sustained visitor growth and a broader range of business tourism since the festival began.
Speaking about the partnership Artichoke’s Development Director Ma’ayan Plane said: “Radisson Blu stands out because they truly feel like part of the Lumiere family. Their team understands the festival’s scale and spirit, and they go above and beyond to make every guest, artist, and visitor feel welcome. They bring energy, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to everyone staying at the hotel during Lumiere. Their involvement is heartfelt, it’s clear they care about Lumiere and what it brings to Durham as much as we do.”
Shared values: sustainability and community
Both organisations have shared a strong sustainability ethos. Artichoke works with A Greener Festival to measure and reduce carbon impact, while Radisson Blu Durham continues to embed sustainability into its operations from Culligan refillable water systems throughout guest areas and plastic-free meeting amenities to locally sourced menu items and smart energy management.
“It’s about leaving a positive mark on the city, environmentally, socially and culturally.” says Lloyd.
Lighting the way forward
As Durham continues to develop its cultural and business offer, the Radisson Blu-Artichoke partnership offers a model for how local business can align commercial success with civic pride.
The Radisson Blu Durham’s role as a civic venue has grown beyond Lumiere. Each year, it provides meeting space for the Durham Miners’ Gala organisers and hosts major trade union gatherings, including GMB and USDAW conferences.
“We’ve become a natural home for the city’s large-scale events,” Lloyd explains. “Whether it’s a cultural festival or a community celebration, we’re proud to provide the space, the hospitality and the infrastructure bringing the organiser’s vision to life in a way that helps Durham shine.”
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