Visitors are being encouraged to enjoy a “bonkers day out” in Bishop Auckland after The Auckland Project launched a major new advertising campaign under its public-facing brand, Bishop’s alive, on buses, roadside posters and digital media across the region and nationally.
The campaign, which features imagery showcasing the heritage, history and culture on offer in Bishop Auckland, has reached over 3.5 million people since launching in July, with proven results including website visitors up some 200%, new visitors to the website up 500% and an online ticket sales increase of over 60%.
The initiative forms part of the charity’s ongoing work to raise the profile of Bishop Auckland as one of the North East’s leading cultural destinations, encouraging more people to experience its attractions, events and unique heritage.
The advertising highlights the breadth of experiences available in the town, from Auckland Palace – once home to the powerful Prince Bishops of County Durham – and its historic grounds to galleries, gardens and Deer Park, inviting passengers to discover Bishop Auckland for themselves.
Stephen Reed, Director of Marketing and Communications at The Auckland Project, said: “Where else in the world can you find one of the world’s finest collections of Spanish art sitting round the corner from a Greggs, cross the Market Place to perhaps the largest collections of mining art, then visit the palace from where the Prince Bishops wielded their power and if that doesn’t sound enough stroll some extraordinary gardens and Deer Park? As a Times journalist recently said: “it’s ‘a slightly bonkers day out”! By taking our ‘bonkers’ story out into the street across the region, and onto the phones and screens of potential visitors further afield we’re rapidly changing how people think about Bishop Auckland and placing it firmly on their ‘must visit’ map.
“It’s about ensuring people in, and planning to, visit the region know that Bishop Auckland is alive with history, nature, art and good food.”
The campaign also supports the drive to make Bishop Auckland more accessible while encouraging greener ways to visit. Anyone travelling to the town by bus or train can receive 20% off a Bishop’s Key by presenting a valid same-day travel ticket at Auckland Tower.
Founded in 2012 by Jonathan and Jane Ruffer, The Auckland Project is a regeneration charity working to transform Bishop Auckland into a vibrant cultural destination. Through art, heritage and community engagement, it is creating new opportunities for residents and visitors alike, while celebrating the town’s rich and surprising past.
Alongside its attractions, the charity runs community programmes and partnerships with local schools and colleges, designed to boost the local economy, create opportunities, and inspire pride in the region’s rich history.
For more information or to book tickets, visit www.aucklandproject.org.
