The Auckland Project was established by Jonathan Ruffer with an ambitious vision: to transform a 900-year-old bishop’s palace from an unknown private dwelling into a world-class art, faith and heritage destination of international significance. The desire to reinvigorate the town of Bishop Auckland and the wider region through social and economic regeneration is at the heart of this plan. Within five years this project should attract over 200,000 visitors and inject £4 million per year into Bishop Auckland and the surrounding area. When this plan is realised it will give the people of County Durham new opportunities through employment, volunteering and participation, and stimulate opportunities for local enterprise. Work is already underway on several of the ground-breaking developments, both at Auckland Castle itself and around Bishop Auckland’s Market Place. This will continue over the next two years to bring the vision to life and reinvigorate the local community through art and heritage projects. Sign up to our e-newsletter here: http://bit.ly/2ehQqIU