Three years to the month since East Durham Business Network was launched, we chat to co-chairmen Ranj Gill and Gursh Kahlon about plans to expand the network’s geographical reach, while East Durham Business magazine editor Leanne Fawcett discusses what the future holds for the flagship publication.
Back in 2021, a decision was made to launch a business support group for the East Durham area, building on the success of the Peterlee and Seaham business park groups which had been set up in 2014 and 2016 respectively…
Three years on, East Durham Business Network is firmly established. It’s membership includes companies and organisations from across the region, which attend quarterly events in locations including Seaham Hall, East Durham College and Spectrum Business Park, while the brand is instantly recognisable thanks to it website, social media platforms, email newsletter, and of course, East Durham Business magazine.
Now, plans to expand the network’s reach, taking in business communities elsewhere in County Durham including Belmont, Bowburn, Integra 61 and Durham city centre, are being discussed, while the future of the magazine is also up for debate.
Co-chairmen of the network, Ranj Gill and Gursh Kahlon, who own property development company Clearwater Developments, shed light on what might lie ahead.
Gursh said: “Myself and Ranj have been co-chairmen for over a year now and in that time have seen real growth in terms of the network’s reach.
“The number of businesses and organisations that attend our events has grown, and every time we’re seeing new faces as well as those people who attend regularly.
“The feedback we get from our members is so positive, and that has led to conversations between myself, Ranj, Leanne and Business Durham as to how the network might evolve over the coming months.
“We’re looking at expanding the geographical reach of the network, so it would also cover other areas of County Durham that up to now don’t have a dedicated business support group, aside from the help they can tap into through Business Durham.
“However, any decisions have to be driven by businesses, not the council, so that is something we’re looking into.”
To gauge what appetite there’d be from the likes of Belmont Business Park, Bowburn North and South Industrial Estates and Integra 61, an event will be held to discuss the possibility of expanding East Durham Business Network.
Ranj added: “We have got so much value from being part of the network, and would love to welcome businesses from other areas who perhaps haven’t yet been part of it.
“The county is home to so many successful businesses which would gain a real benefit from joining our membership. It’s the perfect way of meeting potential clients and suppliers and sharing best practice which can not only improve your business but also enhance our already thriving community.”
As part of plans to extend the network, the team is also looking at gaining more support for East Durham Business magazine. Due to rising print and production costs, the magazine cannot continue unless more sponsorship and advertising revenue is generated.
Leanne Fawcett said: “After four years and 13 high-quality issues, our magazine is firmly secured within the region’s business community, and is highly regarded as one of the leading business publications in the North East.
“However, to produce it to our exacting standards is very costly and we therefore rely on contributions from businesses and organisations to fund it.
“We love the magazine and we know businesses do too, however, we’re at a crucial stage with it in terms of its future. We must secure additional revenue if it’s to have any future. And quite simply, if the desire isn’t there from businesses to support it, we won’t be able to keep producing it, certainly in its current form. It cannot be down to LEC to fund it.”
The magazine and network’s future will both be discussed at an event taking place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Durham on Wednesday, October 2. If you wish to attend, please email guy.bashford@durham.gov.uk to book your place.
