£1million boost to help save Seaton Delaval Hall

Sep 12 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

Key role in tourism awaits

TOURISM experts believe the hall’s location has huge potential for public benefit.

Close to the coast in South East Northumberland, the hall would play a key role in economic and social regeneration and as a place of cultural, heritage and tourism excellence.

Chris Little, tourism and culture investment manager for One North East, said a conservative estimate was that if taken in by the National Trust, the hall would attract 50,000 visitors a year who would spend around £850,000 a year.

This would create about 30 jobs at the hall and in the surrounding area.

But a wider benefit would be the value of the hall in improving the image of the North East.

"The National Trust is an important, respected and recognised organisation and the hall would really add to the depth of the region’s tourism offer," said Mr Little.

"It would give South East Northumberland something which it does not have at the moment and would boost the local economy.

"In our tourism strategy we recognise the importance of heritage, not least in attracting visitors to the region, and the National Trust acquiring the hall would conserve this heritage and deliver jobs at the same time. It’s a win-win."

If the trust is successful, it hopes to open the hall next spring. A trust spokesman said: "We aim to have a team of volunteers in place to help ensure that we can move swiftly to open the hall to the public when we know the outcome of our grant bids and fundraising. There will be a huge variety of opportunities available, whether people are into gardening, conservation or working with visitors."

Email seatondelavalhall@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 0191 2557614 for more information.