With businesses currently focused on hybrid working and staff shortages, due to sickness and the Great Resignation, it can be easy to miss an HR issue like workplace loneliness. You’re busy tracking attendance for your hybrid team whilst also arranging urgent cover....
SHOWING ALL POSTS IN:
Leanne Fawcett
Recruitment sees automotive manufacturer’s engineering team reach full capacity
Automotive manufacturer TMD Friction has further strengthened its engineering capabilities with the expansion of a new department. The Hartlepool-based global manufacturer of brake pads created a new flagship engineering team last year, bringing together four existing...
Seaham’s Lickety Split recognised at environmental awards
County Durham’s green-minded residents and community groups have been celebrated at a virtual awards ceremony. The annual County Durham Environment Awards, which are run by Durham County Council on behalf of the County Durham Environment and Climate Change...
Climate Action North maps out North East BIC’s Net Zero path
Climate Action North, an award-winning social enterprise, has secured a contract to drive forward decarbonisation plans at the North East BIC in Sunderland and set them firmly on the road to achieving Net Zero. Work is currently underway to provide options and plans...
Queen’s Baton Relay to visit County Durham including a stop in Seaham
The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will visit County Durham during its final journey through England ahead of this year’s Commonwealth Games. Birmingham 2022 is hosting the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates...
A Hearty Affair… Food review of the Hearty Hedgehog at Hallgarth, the Manor House
Hallgarth, The Manor House, in Pittington has long been a firm favourite for happy couples tying the knot. But recently, thanks to a six-figure investment committed by its new owners, the venue is branching out. EDB editor Leanne Fawcett went along to see how the...
Peterlee’s Premier Tech announces key acquisition to support European growth
Premier Tech in Peterlee has announced the acquisition of Envirowise by its Water and Environment business group. This company, located in Camberley, England, specializes mainly in servicing and maintaining residential and commercial wastewater treatment plants. This...
UK City of Culture 2025 judging panel spend in day in County Durham
Ambitious plans to drive growth, spark creativity and celebrate the extraordinary people and places of County Durham have showcased to the UK City of Culture 2025 judging panel. An exciting and immersive timetable of activities was arranged for the judges’ eagerly...
EDBS teams up with East Durham College to deliver business start-up sessions
East Durham Business Service has teamed up with East Durham College to deliver three drop-in sessions aimed at people who are thinking about starting their own business The sessions will be held at: Houghall Campus – Monday, May 23, 10am – 12 noon Peterlee Campus –...
Winning logo for new Play Park at Dalton Park designed by eight-year-old Rhys Savin
Dalton Park’s new £60,000 Play Park has been affectionately named ‘Shop and Slide’ after a competition to design an official brand logo was won by eight-year-old Rhys Savin from Darras Hall Primary School in Newcastle. Rhys’s artistic flair and clever play on words...
eCommerce specialist moves to Seaham office to support growth
North East eCommerce Consultancy Rogers & Rogers have expanded their business by relocating from Peterlee to a newly opened office in Seaham. The move comes after the company, which delivers expert eCommerce and marketing advice, felt that Seaham would be a more...
HR Blog: Understanding hidden disabilities in the workplace
If you bank with HSBC, you may have noticed the roll-out of “Quiet Hour” in branches at the end of last year. For those who bank elsewhere or haven’t seen the posters, Quiet Hour is a dedicated time for customers with invisible or hidden disabilities to receive...
The Fat Hippo Group announces ambitious plans to grow across the UK
A successful independent North East restaurant group has revealed plans to more than double the number of restaurants it runs across the UK and create more than 200 jobs by the end of next year. The Fat Hippo Group is aiming to open up to nine new burger restaurants...
Durham law firm supports sustainable materials company’s move to Jade Business Park
Swinburne Maddison LLP (Swinburne Maddison), Durham City’s leading law firm, has concluded work in record time for sustainable materials company, Sphera, enabling its occupation of new premises at Jade Business Park in Murton near Seaham. From instruction, Swinburne...
Local lad Lewis helps get work started on new homes in Peterlee
Work to regenerate disused land on the edge of a County Durham town with almost 60 new affordable homes is underway. Housing association believe housing is working with Partner Construction to deliver 59 high-quality homes in Peterlee, an area where it sees some of...
Free swimming sessions to promote water safety
Families in County Durham can enjoy free pool fun as part of a campaign to encourage safer swimming. Durham County Council is offering free pool-based activities for children and young people aged 18 and under who live in the county, in support of national Be Water...
Hundreds of businesses back County Durham bid to be UK City of Culture 2025
Hundreds of businesses from across the North East have backed County Durham’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2025. Almost £500,000 in sponsorship has also been pledged towards the Durham 2025 campaign, while other businesses have volunteered their skills and time to...
30,000 people attend this year’s record-breaking Bishop Auckland Food Festival
Bishop Auckland Food Festival returned to its original spring date this year and was a roaring success, as people travelled from County Durham and beyond to celebrate all things food. The Durham County Council-run festival saw record-breaking visitor numbers this...
Believe Housing pledge to plant almost 600 trees around the region
Almost 600 trees are being planted in North East England, as part of a housing association’s environmental pledge. This Earth Day (Friday, April 22, 2022), believe housing is paying for a native tree to be planted on behalf of each of its 568 employees. The trees will...
Peterlee company Auxillis to hold recruitment open day
Peterlee based accident management operation, Auxillis, has announced it is holding a recruitment open day on Thursday, April 28, at its Bracken Hill Business Park contact centre. Following a significant new business win and further growth with new partners set for...
HR Blog: Outsourcing, insourcing, or changing a contractor? You need to know about TUPE
If you employ people and have recently won or lost a contract to provide outsourced services to a client, or you are thinking of bringing an outsourced service in-house, this is known as a Service Provision Change. The likelihood is that TUPE applies. What is TUPE?...
Lifesaving mother and community advocate receive prestigious award
A young mum whose quick thinking and first-aid skills saved a man’s life, and an activist dedicated to improving his community, have been honoured for their actions. Megan James and David Kinch accepted the Chairman’s Medal, the highest accolade that Durham County...
North East Bi-Folds targets growth after securing County Durham Growth Fund investment
A manufacturing company of bi-fold doors is targeting continued expansion after taking on additional space and investing in new machinery with the support of the County Durham Growth Fund. North East Bi-Folds, based at Cold Hesledon Industrial Estate, was set up in...
Council and university partnership going from strength to strength
Two of County Durham’s most influential institutions have committed to strengthening their already successful partnership, by making their joint working agreement even more ambitious for the county’s economy and communities. Durham County Council and Durham University...
Dalton Park welcomes new Centre Manager
It’s all change at Dalton Park, as the North East’s largest outlet shopping destination bids a fond farewell to Centre Manager Jerry Hatch after 16 years at the helm. New centre manager Richard Kaye is excited to take over the role. Having spent over 5 years managing...
100 apprenticeships on offer at Durham County Council
Almost 100 new apprenticeships are on offer with the North East’s largest council. Durham County Council is recruiting apprentices across a wide range of occupations from entry to degree level, offering people the chance to earn as they learn. The scheme is the...
Peterlee landmark cited as major inspiration by sculptor Sir Antony Gormley
A bold example of public art, which features within County Durham’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2025, has been cited as a major inspiration by a Turner prize winning artist. To mark its 90th anniversary in 2021, the Building Centre invited 90 leading figures to...
Community groups urged to apply for their share of Believe Housing pot
Community groups in County Durham can apply for up to £20,000 to support projects which have the power to change lives and communities. Housing association believe housing has £40,000 up for grabs, through its Large Community Capital Grants scheme. Applications for...
Climate Change Committee visits County Durham
Representatives from a committee that advises the government on climate change have visited County Durham. The Chairman and Chief Executive of the independent Climate Change Committee (CCC) found out how Durham County Council is working towards its net zero carbon...
HR Blog: No offence! What happens when jokes and pranks go wrong in the workplace?
An unexpected turn of events at this year’s Oscars ceremony put a spotlight on how “it was just a joke” can go horribly wrong. Best Actor winner Will Smith walked on stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife Jada’s medical condition,...
Anticipation builds for reimagined County Durham cultural venue
A first glimpse of an exciting new cultural venue for County Durham has been revealed. Durham County Council has released a visualisation of what the former DLI Museum and Gallery will look like after it is transformed into a vibrant exhibition centre, gallery and...
Solar power innovator Power Roll urges businesses to have their say on economic strategy
A pioneering North East company which creates cutting-edge green technology is urging businesses across County Durham to have their say on consultation that will shape the area’s economic future. Solar power firm Power Roll has created an ultra-thin solar film which...
Electric vehicles take centre stage in County Durham
Electric vehicles, their many benefits and the importance of introducing more charging points were the focus of a special showcase event in County Durham. Rev Up the North – Electric Vehicle Charging in the North took place at Durham Town Hall and provided an...
HR Blog: Employee grievances and how to manage them in your business
Although every employer hopes that their staff are all extremely contented and that no one will ever have a complaint, the reality is that all employers need a grievance procedure that meets the Acas code of practice. Once it is written, the first step is to ensure...
County Durham bids for Great British Railways headquarters
County Durham’s illustrious rail heritage, thriving train building industry and pioneering cultural and economic ambitions make it the ideal home for the Great British Railways (GBR) headquarters. That is the message from Durham County Council, which has submitted a...
IPS Flow Systems backs Wapping Burn clean up campaign
Seaham company IPS Flow Systems has given its support to a campaign to clean up the tributaries that feed into Castle Eden Dene. Rhys Donald and Mark Atkinson from IPS joined the team from the Wear Rivers Trust to help improve the water quality of Wapping Burn, which...
Levelling up funding is crucial for County Durham
Council leaders have pledged their absolute commitment to securing more levelling up funding after a previous successful bid was held up as an example of best practice. Last week, the Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed the second round of the £4.8 billion Levelling...
More than 60 people registered to attend next week’s networking event
Over 60 people from businesses and organisations around the region have signed up to attend next week’s East Durham Business Network event. The event, at Seaham Hall Hotel, will also include updates about the progression of the County Durham Economic Strategy, which...
Hetton artist hopes to paint a brighter future for Ukraine
A North East artist is helping raise money for the victims of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine through the magic of art. Kelsey Wilson, 29, is selling prints of a painting of Ukraine’s national flower ahead of Mother’s Day, with all proceeds being donated to the...
Primary school pupils do their bit for Dalton Park’s landscape and habitat
More than 100 saplings are now taking root in the landscaped habitat surrounding Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination thanks to a little bit of help from local pupils. Children from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Murton helped plant more than 100 trees as...
Community comes together to celebrate artistic and historical significance of Seaham’s coastline
This weekend will see the culmination of the project, which involved former Durham miners, academics and local artists, as the 40-minute film is screened for the first time. Blast Beach: Digging Deeper has been created from a series of interviews with the communities...
Two new additions to TMD Friction’s senior management team announced
TMD Friction has announced the appointment of two senior managers, boosting its leadership team as it continues to implement ambitious plans for growth. The Hartlepool-based global automotive manufacturer has appointed Sam Kirtley into the role of UK Finance Director,...
County Durham makes UK City of Culture 2025 shortlist
County Durham is now a step closer to being named UK City of Culture 2025 and securing the colossal social and economic benefits this would bring. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced the county was one of just four locations from across the...
County Durham community leader urges residents to join ‘our big econ-versation’
A respected former headteacher is urging people from all walks of life across County Durham to join a consultation on issues which matter to them most – including everything from jobs to opportunities available for our children. Retired headteacher and Chair of...
Housing development of 250 new home in Wingate progressing well
Construction work is progressing well at a new Bellway development in Wingate, where more than 30 homes have been built. Wellfield Rise will eventually extend to 250 homes, on land off Wellfield Road in the village. Bellway will create a 20-acre public open space and...
Horden scholar supported on path to career in games design
A career in computer games design beckons for the first recipients of a new scholarship created by a leading games development studio in partnership with Teesside University. The Creative Assembly Legacy Scholarship has been awarded to Daniel Gething and Rebecca...
Go Green Training Academy opens its doors in Peterlee
A new training academy has opened its doors in Peterlee. The Go Green Training Academy will deliver qualifications in the installation, servicing and maintenance of Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs), helping trades people in the area take advantage of growing demand for...
HR Blog: Supporting employees through uncertain times
Russia’s devastating invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing humanitarian crisis have sent shockwaves worldwide. Employees with links to Eastern Europe will need support, whilst those who are not directly affected may also be feeling anxious or helpless during these...
Employees of company with site in Peterlee considering legal action after cyber attack
A group of current and former employees of a major UK-based convenience food manufacturer - with sites in Peterlee and Consett - are considering legal action after it emerged that the company had been affected by a data breach. In a letter issued last month, Greencore...
Innovative Murton-based housebuilder urges businesses to join ‘econ-versation’
A North East housebuilder is encouraging businesses of all sizes across County Durham to have their say on a wide range of issues from jobs to wages, to help shape Durham County Council’s new Inclusive Economic Strategy. Innovative modular housebuilder CoreHaus opened...