Durham Developments

The Neptune statue was originally sited in the Market Place in Durham in 1729. It symbolised an ambitious, and ultimately failed plan to turn Durham into an inland sea port.

It has had a troubled history. Most of its life, some 270 years, has been spent atop a pant or water pump in the Market Place, presented to the city by George Bowes in 1729.

Whilst providing an important source of water for the community, the pant was also a popular meeting place in the eighteenth and nineteenth-century. 

In 1923 Neptune was removed to Wharton Park up by the railway station and remained there until 1979 until it was stored by the Council.  In 1986 it returned on display in the Market Place/Claypath area (in the old gas board showrooms) and in 1991 - after 68 years from its original site it was returned to the Market Place.  

Today’s Blip shows the activity behind Neptune,  building more student accommodation on prime City real estate, comprising 445 rooms, retail, cinema and gym.

I have to wonder why more rooms are needed when there is, by all accounts, already a surplus of student accommodation.  Even the University declares that projected student growth is not expected to be significant.  Pro-build lobbyists claim the new accommodation will bring much needed footfall to the City.  Many disagree.

From my own experience, most students using the retail in the City are to be seen with a cup of coffee which they make last for hours, head buried in a lap top and hogging the tables in most of the coffee shops!