Redhills – Durham Miners’ Hall
Durham Miners Hall opened in 1915 as the purpose-built headquarters of the Durham Miners Association (DMA). Known as Redhills, the hall houses ‘The Pitman’s Parliament’, the seat of the Durham Miners Association democracy that shaped the lives of the people of County Durham for generations.
Elected delegates from across the county met at Redhills and created a pioneering social system, providing medical care, libraries, welfare halls, retirement homes and sports grounds before the introduction of the welfare state.
In late 2022, a multi-million-pound refurbishment and extension began, following a successful grant secured from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2021. The overall cost of the project will be £7.25 million, with Durham County Council also providing support along with funding from trade unions and community supporters. The Association recently handed over the running of Redhills to the community, establishing a new charity in 2021 – Redhills CIO – to take on the management of the building.
The major milestones for funding the Redhills capital project were realised during the Pandemic and the team came to Rebuilding Heritage amid the uncertainty of Lockdown. Their Stage 1 successful application to National Heritage Lottery Fund was received nine days before the national Lockdown in March 2021.
The team needed to make rapid adjustments to plans, moving consultation online to make use of a workforce at home with higher engagement within digital platforms, using research to inform likely visitor behaviour once Lockdown lifted.
They approached Rebuilding Heritage before their Stage 2 submission to NHLF.
A major challenge for the organisation was the sustained lack of visibility caused by the Pandemic and the potential impact this may have on audience numbers. Ahead of reopening in Spring 2023, they were keen to develop strategies for engaging audiences to maintain a presence during capital works.
This case study was produced as part of The Heritage Alliance’s ‘Rebuilding Heritage’ Programme, adapted from those included in the Rebuilding Heritage External Evaluation by Antrobus & Armitage.
