Register Office closure ‘a disgrace’

The closure of a County Durham town’s Register Office has been labelled “a disgrace” as residents launch a plea for it to reopen, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.

Chris Foote-Wood, county councillor for Barnard Castle, criticised Durham County Council’s decision to close the facility on April 1.

The building at 30 Galgate is still used for wedding ceremonies, but appointments for births, deaths, marriages, and civil partnerships have relocated to The Story in Durham City. 

“It’s a disgrace that the county council had already closed the office before asking people for their opinions,” said Cllr Foote-Wood.

Residents have been urged to sign a petition against the closure and respond to the council’s public consultation, which ends on April 30. 

Cllr Foote-Wood added: “While there are a number of alternative venues for weddings locally, people still want face-to-face meetings to discuss these and other important events in their lives.”

Durham County Council said the last registrations at Barnard Castle took place in 2019/20, when just 61 appointments were made to register births and deaths across the financial year

Registrations have since taken place at council offices in Aykley Heads, Durham, and Bishop Auckland before all appointments moved to The Story.

But Cllr Foote-Wood warned that some residents struggle to travel to Durham City.

He added: “Travelling 25 miles or more for an appointment is time-consuming for Teesdale people, especially if they do not have a car. There is a bus four times a day, but it takes nearly two hours each way. In particular, the cost of a short wedding ceremony will increase substantially.

“The closure of Barnard Castle Register office will cause particular problems for those needing to register a death, which must be done within five days and only by a face-to-face interview with a registrar by a close relative or common-law spouse. Personal interviews are also required to register a birth, marriage or civil partnership.

“One solution could be for the county council to rent office space elsewhere in the town a minimum of two days a week.”

Barnard Castle town council has also objected to the closure.

However, the county council has introduced new measures in response to the changes. 

Helen Bradley, director of legal and democratic services, said: “The Barnard Castle register office is not owned by the council and does not offer the same high standards as The Story. 

“Because of budget constraints and the low number of ceremonies held at that site, we’re unable to invest in improving the building or sustain its future running costs as a registration office, but we will work with the owners as they seek to bring forward other uses.

“All ceremonies booked to take place at Barnard Castle during 2026 will still go ahead. However, no new bookings will be taken, and future ceremonies will instead be offered at The Story.

“Legislation has also been passed to enable the registration of deaths by telephone. We expect this to be available from September, with online birth registration set to follow in the next couple of years.”