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Business news from in and around East Durham
A mum of two has taken her first steps into entrepreneurship to launch her own party business during the months of lockdown. Amy Speckman, 28, from Murton in County Durham has set up Sweetie Treats, which offers services to make your wedding, birthday party or...
Issue four of East Durham Business magazine is available to read online, with a new website for the publication due to launch in the next few weeks. Themed around ‘bouncing back from COVID-19’ the magazine features businesses from across the area, which are dealing...
Businesses are set to benefit from a new £5 million grant funded by Durham County Council to help them implement recovery plans to overcome the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The COVID-19 crisis has had a significant impact on the economy and recovery is likely...
Innovative modular housebuilder, CoreHaus, is opening its first UK manufacturing site at a County Durham business park as part of its scale-up plans. CoreHaus has secured its new 20,000 sq ft unit at Jade Business Park, in Murton near Seaham, and recruited a highly...
The Peterlee and Seaham business park groups are hosting their first virtual Network with your Neighbour event of 2021 and individuals and firms across the area are invited to attend. The event, on Thursday, January 21, at 11am, will shed light on the support...
The fourth issue of the area's flagship magazine, East Durham Business, is available to read in full online. Themed around ‘bouncing back from COVID-19’ the magazine features businesses from across the area, which are dealing with the challenging climate in many...
The Finance Durham Fund has invested over £1 million in five businesses to grow in or move to County Durham over the last twelve months. Established by Durham County Council in 2017, Finance Durham is a £20m investment fund overseen by Business Durham and managed by...
An experienced design engineer is looking towards a positive future and rebuilding his three businesses after being left in an induced coma following a near fatal hit and run. Jim Box was successfully running Be Smart Solutions, Be-Recycled.com and 3D Printing when he...
More than 1,000 families in County Durham and Sunderland have benefited thanks to the generosity of a firm’s Christmas appeal. Seaham-based Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) ran a December community campaign to distribute gifts, food parcels and donations totalling...
John Delanoy and Julie Stout are passionate about the funeral industry and giving people the send-off they want – their best final farewell. East Durham Business magazine Editor Leanne Fawcett finds out more. Two things are immediately evident when I down with John...
This time of year is usually filled with festivities. From Christmas parties to the legendary Secret Santa gift exchange, there is normally no shortage of reasons to get together with friends, family and co-workers during December. But after a difficult year...
An experienced publican and restaurateur launched a new food place with a difference earlier this year – despite the obvious Covid challenges. But now their Mediterranean dishes are proving hugely popular at their newly-refurbished outlet near Peterlee – creating...
Plans to create a major business park with the potential to create thousands of new jobs and boost County Durham’s economy by £400 million have been approved by councillors. Durham County Council’s planning committee voted in favour of developing the site at Aykley...
HR expert Alison Schreiber, who works with many businesses in the East Durham area, offers some useful advice to employers who are preparing for a busy few weeks in the run up to Christmas. The HR Dept Durham representative is urging businesses to properly manage...
Global automotive technology leader ZF has proven its commitment to investing in young talent after promoting one of its former apprentices into a permanent technician role. Lewis Charlton, 21, joined the Peterlee company two and a half years ago as a quality...
Issue four of the area’s flagship publication, East Durham Business magazine, is out now. Themed around ‘bouncing back from COVID-19’ the magazine features businesses from across the area, which are dealing with the challenging climate in many different ways. Featured...
A business centre for new and growing SMEs has welcomed a string of new tenants despite the tough economic conditions. Novus Business Centre in Peterlee, which is managed by East Durham Business Service, offers flexible office space for sole traders and expanding...
Eligible businesses affected by local and national coronavirus restrictions are being encouraged to apply for the latest round of Government grants. Following the recent publication of a number of new Government grants, Durham County Council is contacting businesses...
A specialist retail marketing company has completed the seven-figure acquisition of a fellow North East business who are experts in retail gift cards and loyalty schemes. Seaham-based Redu Group, which has developed a range of tech-savvy operations that offer money...
Issue four of the area's flagship publication, East Durham Business magazine, is due out this week. Themed around ‘bouncing back from COVID-19’ the magazine will feature businesses from across the area, which are dealing with the challenging climate in many different...
East Durham College is asking businesses in the area to consider an industry placement as a way of supporting their own growth. The placements are designed to offer young people extended periods of work placements so they can gain the skills employers look for. At...
North East chartered accountancy firm Mullen Stoker is celebrating its tenth year in business with a string of new client wins and workforce expansion – despite the challenging economic climate. The firm, based at Mandale Business Park in Durham, was founded by Neil...
A North East council has been acknowledged as one of the top employers in the country for its apprenticeship opportunities. Durham County Council was awarded a place in the government’s Top 100 Apprenticeships Employers list announced last week, joining ten other...
A ground-breaking partnership in County Durham will boost job prospects for young people through a new education and employment pathway. Seaham-based Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) has joined forces with East Durham College (EDC) in an agreement to deliver bespoke...
A strategy which envisages more than 30,000 jobs and 25,000 new homes has been endorsed by the North East’s largest council. Durham County Council has today agreed to adopt the County Durham Plan, through which it seeks to ensure the county is a successful place to...
Business Durham is helping companies across County Durham manage and deal with the current economic challenges by signposting them to the help they need in order to adapt and thrive. The COVID-19 crisis will continue to affect businesses in different ways and at...
An independent financial adviser with more than six years’ industry experience has launched her own company. Aimee Watson has set up Aimee Financial, which provides bespoke financial planning and pension advice to clients. Although specialising in retirement planning,...
A new partnership has been launched which is changing the face of the funeral industry, enabling people to give their loved ones a unique and memorable final farewell. Delanoy Funeral Services has been launched by John Delanoy and Julie Stout, who are from Easington...
A business support organisation is encouraging firms in the area to take advantage of its meeting space as social distancing remains in place. East Durham Business Service, which manages Novus Busines Centre in Peterlee, has several rooms available for external hire....
Dowen Estate Agents, which has a head office in Hartlepool and seven additional branches along with a bespoke Auction Department across the North East, has been acquired in a management buy-out funded by HSBC. The full-service estate agency offers a wide range of...
A new scheme designed to get young people on Universal Credit into the workplace to gain experience has launched. The government’s Kickstart Scheme is now active is also aimed at those at risk from long-term unemployment, With many businesses looking to benefit,...
Finance Durham Fund, which was established by Durham County Council and overseen by Business Durham, has invested £250,000 in Power Roll, a developer of ultra-low-cost and lightweight flexible film for energy generation and storage. The investment through Finance...
A North East council has teamed up with a local housing developer to deliver affordable homes for residents. Durham County Council contributed almost £250,000 from money raised via housing developments to seven affordable properties, which Chapter Homes is putting the...
Over 50 people are working towards careers with Husqvarna thanks to a successful partnership between the lawnmower manufacturer and GEM Training. The Peterlee-based company, which provides tailored training and apprenticeships specifically developed for its clients,...
A mum of two has used the months of lockdown to launch her own dreadlock business. Aiysha Homer, 40, from Peterlee was working as a lunchtime supervisor at a local school, a job she loved, but money was so tight she wanted to put her creativity to something that could...
A development of high-quality family homes with large areas of open spaces and commitments to local school improvements are on the way for a County Durham village. National planning and development consultancy Lichfields secured permission from Durham County Council...
Businesses from across East Durham are invited to attend a virtual networking event next week. The Peterlee and Seaham business park groups have organised the event to give businesses the chance to updates and learn more about the support available to help them during...
CyberWhite, a Seaham-based cyber security firm, has delivered strong results for the financial year 2019-2020. Highlights of the year-end report include: An increase in the total turnover of 286 per cent Gross profit increased by £196,000 New clients increased grew by...
A national financial planning firm has increased its workforce as business continues to boom following a rebrand. Former Independent financial advisor (IFA) Tony Slimmings started offering freelance paraplanning services in early 2017, before scaling up and launching...
A County Durham food business has worked to reduce its carbon footprint with the help of a scheme to make businesses more energy efficient. Charltons, a well-known food business in Peterlee, significantly increased its food delivery service during lockdown when it was...
A North East company has made a multimillion-pound investment to quadruple its office space and create hundreds of new jobs. Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) has agreed a lease on a new building on Spectrum Business Park, Seaham, taking its total office space to...
A football team in Easington has been able to invest in new kits for its players after securing a new sponsor. Easington Under-15s, which plays in the Russell Foster Tyne and Wear Youth Leagues, has announced Harry’s Fish and Chip Shop has become its new sponsor. The...
Plans for a major new business park in Durham City are progressing thanks to £6 million of government funding. Durham County Council has secured the money from the government’s Getting Building Fund, which aims to deliver jobs, skills and infrastructure across the...
CyberWhite, a cybersecurity firm based in Seaham, is welcoming two new Business Development Managers to its team as part of its continued growth. Charlotte Topping and Jemma Cavana-Cole join the firm, bringing with them a wealth of sales and customer service...
More businesses are set to benefit from a financial support scheme set up to help them deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Durham County is widening the eligibility criteria for its local Discretionary Grants Fund so that hundreds more businesses can...
Construction companies across County Durham are being offered professional support to help them grow and secure new business. Durham Business Opportunities Programme (DBOP) is a European Regional Development Fund (EDRF) programme offering business support to SMEs in...
Budding entrepreneurs across East Durham are being encouraged to seek advice from business support experts as the country continues to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic. East Durham Business Service helps people throughout the area to turn their business dreams...
A Seaham company has set an ambitious target to double its headcount this year. Seaham-based Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) has been on a rapid growth journey since its inception in 2012, reaching 300 employees at the start of 2020. After a 2015 move to Spectrum...
Digital Drive County Durham has been awarded an additional £2,340,000 of funding to continue supporting small and medium enterprises across the county until June 2023. Initially, the programme was a £4m initiative to help SMEs in County Durham to maximise their growth...
A site manager, who is building new homes in Seaham, has won a prestigious national award for his work at a local housing development. Site manager at Bellway’s Byron Heights, Geoff Ward, has been named as the winner of a National House-Building Council (NHBC) Pride...
Japanese corporation, Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems Europe, is gearing up for growth after becoming the first tenant at a new County Durham business park. Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems Europe (SEWS-E), is expanding and relocating its workforce from its base at...
The Peterlee and Seaham business park groups are hosting the next virtual Network with your Neighbour event tomorrow (Thursday, June 18) from 11am. Via Zoom, the event is the second of its kind, and replaces the usual quarterly events organised by the group which are...
The Peterlee and Seaham business parks’ group is delighted to announce the appointment of Terry Jones onto its steering committee. Terry, the new Operations Director and Business Development Manager at the Steadfast Group, is the latest figurehead to join the group....
Two newly-independent County Durham engineering firms are aiming to scale up their operations after securing six-figure investments from the North East Growth Capital Fund Supported by the European Regional Development Fund. Alpha Process Controls and Aldona Seals...
Businesses in County Durham are being invited to seek financial support following the extension of grants schemes. Durham County Council is extending the business rates grants schemes it has been administering on behalf of the government during the coronavirus...
The County Durham Growth Fund has been awarded an additional £4,000,000 of funding to continue supporting businesses across the county until June 2023. Established in April 2019, the fund was initially a £4.9m capital grant scheme providing grants to small and medium...
Businesses across East Durham are being asked to complete a survey on the impact COVID-19 has had on their company. The Durham & Darlington Covid-19 Business Impact Survey aims to gather data which can be used to help the economic recovery in the coming weeks and...
More than 160 water company employees have volunteered to support their local communities during the Covid-19 period. A total of 167 Northumbrian Water employees have already signed up to donate their time to supporting great causes, including the NHS and St John's...
The Government’s world-leading scheme to support the self-employed has opened for claims – weeks ahead of schedule. From 8am yesterday (Wednesday) self-employed individuals or members of partnerships whose business has been adversely affected by coronavirus will be...
East Durham businesses are being given the chance to network with fellow companies as the coronavirus lockdown continues. Following the success of their first virtual networking event, Peterlee and Seaham business park groups are once again bringing people together...
North-East manufacturer BTS Facades and Fabrications hasn’t let Covid-19 halt its work with a local trust by paying upfront for future services, ensuring the continuation of The Employability Trust. The trust, which has helped 234 people gain sustainable employment...
Coronavirus and your business – with HR expert Alison Schreiber. In these challenging times as lockdown continues to impact the day to day running of many of our businesses, we want to ensure our members have access to the most up to date information that could affect...
An innovative envelope manufacturer has become the only company in the UK to offer the latest technology to help its clients stand out from the crowd. Encore Envelopes, which has its headquarters in Washington and a site in Dewsbury, has invested in a state-of-the-art...
A business support organisation is encouraging people to turn these challenging times due to the coronavirus pandemic into an opportunity and to think about starting their own business. While Britain is on lockdown and people are working at home, on ‘furloughed’...
North East firm Redu has launched a new benefits app to reward brave front line workers with small acts of kindness from the public. The Seaham-based tech company created Front Line Rewards as a gesture of thanks to the selfless heroes caring for us in our time of...
HR expert Alison Schreiber is urging employers to consider the mental health and wellbeing of their staff during the coronavirus pandemic. In her latest blog, Durham-based Alison, who is the Peterlee and Seaham business park groups' resident HR partner, offers some...
Tomorrow's Peterlee and Seaham business park groups' Network with your Neighbour event at Seaham Hall Hotel has been cancelled. The groups, led by chairman Paul Wellstead, took the decision following advice from Business Durham and the Government as the coronavirus...
A talented musician who worked for studios in London before returning to his native North East is seeing his dream project finally hit the right note. Dave Brown from Peterlee recently opened Big Foot Studios in the former Parkside Club at Horden Welfare Park, having...
Sarah Slaven has been appointed Interim Managing Director at Business Durham following the departure of Brian Archer. Sarah will hold this position while recruitment for a replacement Managing Director takes place. She was part of the management team that established...
Peterlee IT company Protech has donated a laptop to a resident at Barchester Hawthorns Care Centre. The donation is part of its ‘Pay It Forward’ programme to support local charities and organisations in the area. Ian Murphy, COO at Protech, said: “The most rewarding...
A business support organisation which helps people to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams is holding further sessions for employed individuals who are keen to become their own boss. Last year East Durham Business Service (EDBS), based in Peterlee, held the evening...
A fast-growing financial advice company has agreed a partnership with a regional charity which will see the family firm become its flagship sponsor. Wealth of Advice has announced an initial year-long sponsorship of the Bringing Back a Smile charity, which helps...
A north-east asset finance brokerage has helped businesses throughout the UK gain access to over £10m in funding throughout 2019. Peterlee-based Dealer Net Finance has arranged bespoke financial plans for businesses in a wide range of sectors including agriculture,...
Following a successful pilot of the Bitesize Business Sessions, NBSL are now bringing their workshop programme to East Durham. Based in the new Enterprise House at Seaham, a series of short sessions has been developed exclusively for County Durham SME businesses to...
One of the largest, long term lettings in the North East out-of-town office market in the last 12 months has been confirmed for a business park in Seaham. Paul Wellstead, the developer behind Spectrum Business Park, has agreed a 15-year lease of the three-story,...
Steadfast Security has come a long way in the last eighteen months, securing contracts worth over two million pounds, purchasing another security firm and according to Business Development Manager Mike McGaun a lot of that success was born from a seed planted at the...
A business support organisation which helps people to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams is holding further sessions for employed individuals who are keen to become their own boss. Last year East Durham Business Service (EDBS), based in Peterlee, held the evening...
‘ParkingPerx’ businessman Chris Reed has announced the appointment of a highly experienced Board of Directors for the company, including an entrepreneur from East Durham. The appointments come after the founder of ProxiSmart Ltd secured co-investment from Mercia...
A North East training company has confirmed it has saved 11 jobs. Durham-based Learning Curve Group (LCG), which also includes the former Peterlee company Profound, has taken on the Hartlepool branch of Total Training Limited. LCG, which also runs a Beauty Academy in...
A man who spent two years living on the streets of the North East has now moved into his own home thanks to the support of a homelessness support worker and a financial advice company. Earlier this year Wealth of Advice, run by Peterlee businessman Chris Breward, was...
A leading business figure who champions apprenticeships and training for the engineering sectors has been appointed to a group which spearheads East Durham’s business growth. Andy Buckworth, who is centre manager at TTE in Peterlee, which specialises in fabrication,...
County Durham training provider, Learning Curve Group, has been successful in their retention of the gold accreditation from Investors in People. The accreditation awards organisations that provide top class people management and keep staff at the centre of their...
The second issue of a new magazine which celebrates East Durham's thriving business community is out now. East Durham Business features a four-page interview with VBites entrepreneur Heather Mills, plus features with Andy Laundon from Enterprise House Seaham, Graeme...
National training provider Learning Curve Group - which acquired Peterlee's Profound Group last year - has announced a new partnership with gym chain Xercise4Less. The partnership will offer four exceptional Level 3 qualifications to develop the next generation of...
Great Annual Savings Group has been presented with two awards for its contribution to local charities. Seaham-based Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) has become the first recipient of the Winskill Award, after recently receiving the Payroll Giving Quality Mark highest...
Homefair Blinds, which has head offices in Seaham and Manchester, has been acquired in a management buy-out led by Steve Ellithorn, Claire Ripley and Shaun Welsh. The trio acquired the company from retiring director, Jonathan Fitton. The County Durham retailer and...
Employed people with aspirations to work for themselves have sought advice to pursue their business dreams. East Durham Business Service (EDBS), as part of the North East England Enterprise Agency (NEEAL) and the Enterprise Support in the North East 2 Programme, has...
Financial advice company Wealth of Advice has made another key appointment as it continues to add to its client portfolio. Cristina Duran Alvarez has been appointed to work within the client administration team. The 29-year-old was offered the job just 15 days before...
A business centre which provides high quality accommodation for new and growing SMEs has been officially opened. Enterprise House Seaham was opened by the Mayor of Seaham, Councillor Linda Willis, who cut the ribbon to declare the facility ready for business, and...
Employed people with aspirations to work for themselves are being given support to make the leap from secure work to running their own business. East Durham Business Service (EDBS), as part of the North East England Enterprise Agency (NEEAL) and the Enterprise Support...
A Peterlee company which refurbishes old computers and laptops for redistribution back into the community has launched a new charity campaign. Protech has started the “Pay it Forward” campaign, which aims to level the IT playing field, helping people with a 'if we...
A North East training company is aiming to scale up its operations with the help of a six-figure investment from the North East Growth Capital Fund Supported by the European Regional Development Fund. Positive Futures (NE) works with a range of local authorities and...
Record numbers of people attended this year’s EMCON as Heather Mills took to the stage to give the event’s keynote address. Ms Mills, whose vegan food empire is the biggest producer of vegan-based food in the world, took to the stage to share her entrepreneurial...
Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems Europe, part of a global Fortune 500 corporation founded in 1615, is the first tenant to sign up for a new business unit at Jade Business Park in Durham. Jade Business Park, which is now under construction, is a 55 acre employment site...
Ray Lonsdale, the man behind the famous ‘Tommy’ sculpture of a soldier from the First World War, which is an iconic attraction within Seaham, will officially open a business centre offering high quality, flexible accommodation for new and growing businesses. Ray’s...
A man who was made redundant from the former Walkers crisps factory in Peterlee has turned setback into opportunity by launching his own business. Neil Harrison found himself unemployed when he lost his job after 32 years of employment. The 52-year-old father-of-two...
ZF, the Peterlee-based leader in the production of specialist safety camera equipment for vehicles, has been confirmed as a ‘VIP company’ at this year’s EMCON. The company is the one of several regional big hitters to be announced, all of which will be taken around to...
A leading North East supplier of print and packaging solutions is celebrating a significant boost to its team with the announcement of eight new appointments to drive forward plans for future growth. The Encore Group is strengthening the teams across its divisions at...
An organisation which has led the way in supporting the development of the Asian business community in the North of England is celebrating its tenth anniversary by launching two new inspirational campaigns. Asian Business Connexions (ABC), which is supported by...
Three regional business leaders who have embraced innovation, social media and digital technology to grow their business will join Heather Mills on this year’s EMCON Industry Leaders’ Panel Debate. The theme of the event will be ‘Transforming Business and Embracing...
Battery manufacturer Alexander Technologies Europe Ltd (ATEL) has been acquired by its incumbent management team in a transaction part-funded under a £9.2m senior secured unitranche facility provided by Shard Credit Partners. The transaction, which has been completed...
Businesses are urged to book their place at the final Incubator Zone programme at this year’s EMCON event, with only a few stands remaining. The programme, one of five strands of the Durham Business Opportunities Programme (DBOP), is aimed at companies within County...