Balancing Heritage and Regeneration

The completion of the former Durham Light Infantry Museum in Aykley Heads marks a significant moment for County Durham’s cultural landscape, bringing new life to a site that has long held historical and emotional importance for the region. The transformed venue, now known as The Light, has officially been handed back to Durham County Council by contractor Willmott Dixon, ahead of its public opening this summer. 

Originally opened in 1968, the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery was established to preserve the story of the Durham Light Infantry regiment whilst also hosting touring art exhibitions. The Durham Light Infantry Archive and Collection belong to the Trustees of the Former Durham Light Infantry, a registered charity, with the collections cared for by Durham County Council under a Deed of Trust. 

The venue closed in 2016 due to low visitor numbers, meaning it was no longer financially viable. However, the future of the collection itself was never in doubt. Items previously displayed at the museum were moved to improved storage facilities at Sevenhills in Spennymoor, whilst artefacts continued to be showcased through a permanent exhibition at Palace Green Library, touring displays and educational outreach activities across the county. These initiatives generated higher levels of engagement than the former museum and enabled the collection to retain its accredited status. 

In 2024, Durham County Council opened The Story, which now serves as the permanent home of the DLI Collection and Archive, bringing the entire collection together for the first time since 1998. Together, The Story and The Light are intended to broaden public access to the regiment’s history through exhibitions, research facilities and cultural programming. 

The redevelopment has involved a substantial reconstruction programme, with Willmott Dixon stripping the original structure back to its core before undertaking an almost complete rebuild. Procured through the SCAPE framework, the £17 million  scheme has been designed to create a modern cultural venue capable of hosting internationally significant exhibitions and events while maintaining a connection to the building’s military heritage. The wider investment has also received support from Arts Council England and the North East Mayoral Combined Authority. 

Reflecting on the wider significance of the project, Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “In County Durham, we have a long-standing commitment to culture-based regeneration, as we recognise the transformational impact it has on our communities and our economy. We are a county with a rich heritage, a strong reputation for innovation and bold ambitions for the future, and this is all represented at The Light.” 

One of the central considerations throughout the project has been balancing modernisation with heritage. While the former museum site has never been an official remembrance location, Durham County Council recognised the emotional significance it holds for many veterans, former service personnel and local residents. The official DLI remembrance sites remain the DLI Chapel and DLI Memorial Garden at Durham Cathedral, alongside a number of statues and memorials across County Durham. 

Respecting this legacy formed an important part of the redevelopment process. The Inkerman Memorial Stone was relocated to Palace Green at the request of the Faithful Inkerman Club, whilst a time capsule containing soil from the grounds was buried nearby to represent the ashes of soldiers that had been scattered there. During groundworks, the top layer of soil from the site was also carefully removed and re-laid. 

Allison noted that “the utmost care has been taken to respect the heritage of the site – from design and construction to planning the exhibitions and activities that will take place there”. She added that the council has worked closely with the Trustees of the Former Durham Light Infantry, veteran organisations, partners and the local community throughout the redevelopment process. 

The completed venue seeks to balance remembrance with renewal through both its architectural design and future programme. Alongside a permanent Durham Light Infantry exhibition, The Light will feature gallery spaces capable of hosting contemporary exhibitions, immersive experiences and touring displays, as well as dedicated educational and community facilities, a café and retail space. 

Describing the vision for the venue, Allison explained: “The building has always been both a museum and an art gallery and this tradition will continue at The Light.” According to Allison, the cultural programme has been designed to complement the site’s history whilst bringing “Durham’s local heritage and contemporary life into dialogue with the ideas, events, and perspectives shaping our world today”. 

The Light is also expected to play an important role within Durham’s wider regeneration ambitions. Situated within the emerging Aykley Heads Innovation District, the venue has been positioned as both a cultural attraction and a civic hub capable of supporting economic growth, tourism and community engagement. 

The completion of The Light demonstrates the increasingly important role cultural assets can play within modern regeneration strategies. By combining contemporary exhibition space with a renewed commitment to preserving and sharing the story of the Durham Light Infantry, the project seeks to balance remembrance, community engagement and economic development within a single destination. As County Durham continues to invest in culture-led regeneration, The Light is expected to become an important focal point for residents and visitors alike when it opens this summer.