We're bringing a major new cultural venue to the North East called The Light

Once the site of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) Museum and Art Gallery, in Aykley Heads,on the edge of Durham City, the building is undergoing significant works, which have seen it stripped down to its basic structure and almost completely rebuilt.

The new venue will be called The Light and will bring together art and science in an engaging space where visitors will be able to view internationally significant exhibitions; artists will be able to create and collaborate, and communities can gather.

Run by Durham County Council, the new venue’s name has been inspired, not just by the building’s history, but also its future use.

While its new design will transform The Light into a multipurpose cultural space, the venue’s links to military history will be retained through a dedicated DLI Gallery telling the story of the ‘Durhams’ through objects, documents and film footage from the DLI Collection.

The new name also reflects County Durham’s many associations with light – from the creation 1,300 years ago of Bede’s lunar calendar to Durham University’s involvement in the James Webb Space Telescope.

Housing the county’s only contemporary art gallery, The Light will also provide a beacon for creativity, arts and culture when it opens, with light art also set to play a prominent role.

As well as housing exhibition space, The Light will also offer facilities to host private events and conferences, as well as a ground floor café.

Cllr Karen Allison, Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street at Durham County Council, said: “The transformation of the site in the past few months has been amazing. It’s been fantastic to see the venue taking shape and, now that we’re able to announce its name, it really feels like we are getting closer to opening day.

“I’m sure The Light is going to provide a fantastic place for local residents, people in our wider communities and visitors from near and far to enjoy – all bringing a financial boost the city and county.

“County Durham has a long history of culture-based regeneration, and we are committed to building on its reputation as a culture county.”

The Light, which is due to open next year, will be a sister venue to The Story, which provides the permanent home to the DLI Collection.