Retail and Town Centre Study telephone survey

We have appointed planning specialists, Urban Shape to undertake a ‘Retail and Town Centre Study’ to inform the preparation of the new County Durham Plan.

The study will help shape the future role of our town centres across the county area, to ensure they are successful, vibrant centres which respond to the needs of current and future populations.

As part of the study, residents in the county and surrounding areas may be contacted by a market research company called NEMS to participate in a telephone survey about where they visit for shopping and leisure activities, and what their views are on the town centres across Durham.

NEMS will be undertaking the telephone survey during December and January 2025. The survey should take less than 7 minutes to complete. Participation is entirely optional. NEMS will not be requesting any directly identifiable information as part of the survey questions.

We will receive the feedback from the surveys which will be included in the wider Retail and Town Centre Study.

County Durham Plan scoping consultation

Note we are currently consulting on the County Durham Plan scoping document (open until 17 August 2026).

The scoping stage marks the first formal step in preparing the new Local Plan and is the first opportunity for you to have your say on topics and issues which will help shape its foundations. It is your chance to help shape future decisions about housing, jobs, transport, the environment, town centres, and community facilities.

If you have any questions about the telephone survey, contact StrategyandDelivery@durham.gov.uk.