An important mosaic mural, which tells the story of County Durham's rich history, is facing potential destruction as its current home, Durham County Hall, prepares for demolition. Campaigners are urgently calling for the artwork to be preserved and moved, arguing that it holds immense cultural and historical value for the region.
The mural, located on the exterior of the council's headquarters, features pivotal moments and figures from the county's past, including the Venerable Bede and the establishment of Durham Cathedral. Professor Bennett Zon of Durham University, who is spearheading the campaign, describes the mosaic as 'irreplaceable' and believes it should be relocated to a prominent position where it can become a defining symbol for the city, as originally intended when the building was constructed in 1963. He highlighted its significance as one of the earliest examples of digital design in the UK, with imagery that foreshadowed the aesthetics of 1970s video arcade games.
However, Durham County Council has expressed significant reservations about the feasibility of moving the artwork. Dr Sarah Glynn, the council's strategic manager of culture, explained that the mural has developed cracks, making its relocation without further damage 'almost impossible'. She also raised concerns about potential health and safety risks due to the 'likelihood of asbestos' if the artwork were to be cut into sections for transport. Dr Glynn stressed the high complexity and considerable costs involved in such an endeavour, noting there would be 'no guarantee of achieving a sympathetic final result'.
Despite these challenges, a coalition of organisations, including the C20 Society, Durham City Trust, and the City of Durham Parish Council, are backing the rescue efforts. Campaigners are aiming to raise £250,000 to cover the costs of removing, restoring, and re-installing the mural. A petition directed at the council, urging them to protect the artwork, is currently active and will close on 27 July 2026.
Professor Zon has urged for a pause in the demolition plans to allow for expert assessments, stating, 'what we need to do is to just take a breath, stop the rollers from demolishing the mosaic, take stock of what we can do, have some reports from genuine specialists, and then move to the next phase.' The council has confirmed that a 'comprehensive' digital record of the mosaic, including high-resolution photography and detailed documentation, has been created and will be made publicly available at The Story, a local cultural venue.