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Features

At Your Leisure: The Royal George at Old Shotton

At Your Leisure: The Royal George at Old Shotton

It is just over three years since editor Leanne Facwett visited The Royal George in Old Shotton (in an official capacity at least). This time around there’s a new team at the helm and the popular restaurant and pub is going great guns – not only attracting locals but...

At Your Leisure: Radisson Blu Durham

At Your Leisure: Radisson Blu Durham

Since opening nearly 20 years ago, the Radisson Blu in Durham City Centre has provided the perfect base for guests who are visiting the city for business and pleasure. Ideally located on the banks of the River Wear, this 200-plus bedroom hotel has become one of the...

My Working Day: Donna Baker and Rebecca Rutter from Seaside Travel

My Working Day: Donna Baker and Rebecca Rutter from Seaside Travel

In this issue’s My Working Day feature, editor Leanne Fawcett chats to Seaside Travel’s Regional Sales Managers Donna Baker and Rebecca Rutter about their roles overseeing the company’s 13 North East branches, managing a team of over 30 people each and what they love...

Five Minutes With… Ranj Gill, Clearwater Developments

Five Minutes With… Ranj Gill, Clearwater Developments

  In this new addition to East Durham Business magazine, Five Minutes With, we chat to Ranj Gill, who is co-director of commercial property company Clearwater Developments and co-chairman of East Durham Business Network. Here Ranj tells us more about the benefits...

At Your Leisure: Harmonic Egg North

At Your Leisure: Harmonic Egg North

East Durham Business editor Leanne Fawcett is fully embracing her 40s. Having recently undertaken a weight loss and lifestyle improvement journey, she is now more aware than ever about what goes into her body, and the way she treats it. So, when the opportunity to try...

Business Park Vision Is Now A Reality

Business Park Vision Is Now A Reality

Sitting down with Andy Rothwell and Brian Thompson to chat about Traynor Business Park in Peterlee, it’s clear these are two men who, whilst working in very different ways, share a mutual commitment and desire to create a business park and community that supports...

At Your Leisure: Chilli Padi at Aykley Heads in Durham

At Your Leisure: Chilli Padi at Aykley Heads in Durham

Durham’s international food scene is thriving with cuisines to suit every taste bud now on offer. And the latest to join the party is Chilli Padi, an authentic Malaysian restaurant that recently opened it doors at Aykley Heads. East Durham Business editor Leanne...

Five Minutes With… Gursh Kahlon

Five Minutes With… Gursh Kahlon

In another new addition to our features suite, Five Minutes With, we chat to business figures for a quick fire Q&A to learn more about their areas of business.

My Business Journey

My Business Journey

EDB Design Director Alan Sawyers sits down with Leanne Fawcett to find out about her business journey, from launching LEC back in 2012 to her plans for the future following a change of approach.

The Perfect Solutions

The Perfect Solutions

Last year experienced recruitment specialists Heather Croft and Vanessa Slater undertook the biggest challenge of their career when they completed a Management Buy Out of their employer’s business, KES Solutions UK.

Open For Business… And Growth

Open For Business… And Growth

For almost 40 years Berger Closures has been a mainstay in Peterlee, manufacturing clamping rings for the drum barrel market, and more recently ducting closures for ventilation and tubing systems in factories and office buildings.

Health And Wellbeing

Health And Wellbeing

In this issue’s What’s Trending Now feature, we chat to George Bowden and Sally Jameson from Seaham-based telecommunications company L3 Optics, who tell us more about their staff health and wellbeing programme, and in particular the mental health support offered to the team which is driven by alarming suicide statistics within the construction industry.

Meet The Tray Cafe Team

Meet The Tray Cafe Team

In this issue’s Meet the… feature, we chat to Megan Larcombe, Cafe Manager at Tray Cafe in Peterlee, who tells us more about the food served at the popular café, why using local suppliers is something the team is incredibly passionate about, and why she believes the restaurant is a hidden gem within East Durham’s thriving food scene.

Ask the Expert: Ranj Gill and Gursh Kahlon, Clearwater Developments

Ask the Expert: Ranj Gill and Gursh Kahlon, Clearwater Developments

In this issue’s Ask the Expert feature, we chat to Ranj Gill and Gursh Kahlon from commercial property company Clearwater Developments about the current landscape within the sector, why mixed use developments are becoming increasingly popular and their latest...

Meet the… Office Manager, Angela Kirby

Meet the… Office Manager, Angela Kirby

Angela Kirby is Office Manager at Lighthouse Workspaces, a 75,000 sq ft mixed-use development at Spectrum Business Park in Seaham, which was recently acquired by commercial property company Clearwater Developments. Having been responsible for its upkeep and supporting...

My Working Day: Dawn Jarvis, North East Combined Authority

My Working Day: Dawn Jarvis, North East Combined Authority

In this issue’s My Working Day feature, we chat to Dawn Jarvis from the North East Combined Authority about her role as Business Connector, the importance of networking and the help available through the organisation to support growth and encourage job creation…  ...

At Your Leisure: Mateo Mediterraneo in Castle Eden

At Your Leisure: Mateo Mediterraneo in Castle Eden

EDB editor Leanne Fawcett popped along to East Durham’s newest restaurant, Mateo Mediterraneo, to put their tapas and dessert menu to the test. Let’s see what she thought…. It’s fair to say East Durham’s food scene is going through something of a renaissance. Where...

The Many Chapters of Josh

The Many Chapters of Josh

We’ve charted Josh Cockburn’s journey into the world of work since he started working for EDB design firm AS Design in 2022 at just 15.

Jacky Stansfield Smith Reimagining Inclusion

Jacky Stansfield Smith Reimagining Inclusion

Following its standout debut earlier this year, Neuro North Forum returns on 19th March 2026, bringing together professionals, advocates, and individuals with first-hand insight to explore the power of neurodiversity at work. We spoke with founder Jacky Stansfield Smith about what’s next.

Kat Sykes: Minding My Businesses

Kat Sykes: Minding My Businesses

Kat Sykes is a co-founder of the pioneering Mind Your Business course, developed with research led by a professor at Durham University. The programme was piloted with business owners from across the North East, ensuring it was shaped by real-world insights and challenges faced by founders.

Seaside Travel Branches Out – Interview with Nicola Evans Park

Seaside Travel Branches Out – Interview with Nicola Evans Park

Twenty-two years ago Nicola Evans Park opened her first branch of her ‘family’ business, Seaside Travel. Today, the business employs over 80 people, has 13 branches across the North East and North Yorkshire and recently launched a new homeworking division.

Ask the Expert: Delanoy Funeral Services

Ask the Expert: Delanoy Funeral Services

Planning a funeral can be a stressful time, both for the individual who is preparing for their final journey and the loved ones who have to finalise it when their family member or friend has passed away. John Delanoy and Julie Stout from Delanoy Funeral Services talk...

At Your Leisure: Afternoon tea at Humbles Cafe, Seaham

At Your Leisure: Afternoon tea at Humbles Cafe, Seaham

EDB editor Leanne Fawcett popped along to Humbles café on Seaham sea front with her mam, Margaret, to sample afternoon tea. Let’s see what they thought… Nestled in the heart of Seaham’s thriving café and restaurant district, right on the seafront, sits Humbles café....

Back to Where It All Started: Leanne Fawcett, LEC

Back to Where It All Started: Leanne Fawcett, LEC

Communications consultancy LEC was launched by experienced journalist and public relations professional Leanne Fawcett 13 years ago. And although the business has grown by offering a full suite of PR, marketing and web services, Leanne is now looking back to where it...

My Working Day: Michelle Mann, Business Durham

My Working Day: Michelle Mann, Business Durham

In this issue’s My Working Day feature we chat to Business Durhams’s business engagement officer (East), Michelle Mann, who tells us more about her role with the organisation, the recently expanded Durham Business Growth Fund, and how she’ll be supporting East Durham...

What the FUTURE HOLDS…

What the FUTURE HOLDS…

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...

My Down Time: Michael Monkman / Orca Cleaning

My Down Time: Michael Monkman / Orca Cleaning

In this issue’s My Down Time feature, we chat to Michael Monkman, from Orca Cleaning Group, about his side venture, Wild Swimming, which was launched three years ago… EDB: Tell us more about Wild Swimming. MM: Wild Swimming has been a passion of mine since I was a...

Cleaning up in the NORTH EAST

Cleaning up in the NORTH EAST

It’s less than six months since national window cleaning company Your Local expanded into the North East. In that time over 30 jobs have been created with plans to grow the headcount to 50 by the end of the year. EDB editor Leanne Fawcett headed to the firm’s offices...

THE ‘SAS’ of EDC

THE ‘SAS’ of EDC

Meet Sam & Sara - the new Director of Apprenticeships and Work Based Learning and the new Business Development Manager respectively. Sam Treadwell and Sara Jolly tell us about the college’s thriving apprenticeship provision and how they’re working to bridge the...

THE ‘S’ FACTOR – An East Durham College Special

THE ‘S’ FACTOR – An East Durham College Special

In this spotlight on education, apprenticeships and business, we chat to some of the team at East Durham College. Leanne Fawcett met with new college Principal Scott Bullock, who is just a few weeks into the role; Sam Treadwell, the new Director of Apprenticeships;...

DELANOY turns four

DELANOY turns four

It’s been just over four years since John Delanoy and Julie Stout launched Delanoy Funeral Services, and what a journey it has been! Here’s a look at their inspiring journey to transform the way funerals are conducted.. Four years ago, a mutual friend introduced John,...

A new chapter begins at East Durham College

A new chapter begins at East Durham College

The new man AT THE HELM East Durham Business editor Leanne Fawcett chats to Scott Bullock, who is just a few weeks into his role as Principal and CEO of East Durham College. Scott tells us more about his unlikely move into the further education sector, his aims to...

At Your Leisure: Seaham Hall Hotel

At Your Leisure: Seaham Hall Hotel

EDB editor Leanne Fawcett popped along to Seaham Hall Hotel and Serenity Spa for her first solo spa experience, giving her the chance to recharge the batteries after having a baby boy seven months ago. Here’s what she thought… I LOVE spa days. They’re the perfect way...

My Down Time: Graeme Carter

My Down Time: Graeme Carter

Graeme Carter is Managing Director of Peterlee-based Shred Direct, which he founded in 2013 The former professional footballer (Graeme was on the books at Newcastle United) talks to us about his life away from work, his family life with wife Kay, his three daughters...

Sponsor Feature: Clearwater Utilities

Sponsor Feature: Clearwater Utilities

Rick Maughan and Mark Price on the newly launched Clearwater Utilities, which is based at Spectrum Business Park in Seaham. EDB editor Leanne Fawcett caught up with the businessman to find out more about Clearwater Utilities, why the company was launched and its plans...

Sponsor Feature: Sarah Slaven

Sponsor Feature: Sarah Slaven

Sarah Slaven from Business Durham on the economic landscape in County Durham, the new Durham Business Growth programme and her priorities for 2024. EDB editor Leanne Fawcett sat down with Business Durham Managing Director Sarah Slaven to find out more about County...

My Working Day: Courtney Lynn

My Working Day: Courtney Lynn

Courtney Lynn from Mullen Stoker on a typical working day with the accountancy firm. In this issue’s My Working Day feature, we chat to Courtney Lynn, who has recently been appointed office co-ordinator at Belmont-based chartered accountancy and IT firm Mullen Stoker....

Interview Feature: Delanoy Funeral Services

Interview Feature: Delanoy Funeral Services

As another year draws to a close, we chat to John Delanoy and Julie Stout about everything they’ve achieved since launching Delanoy Funeral Services in 2020, including recent investment in a new fleet of vehicles which is the icing on the cake for the business...

Ask The Expert: Alison Stephenson / AAA Caring Caretaker

Ask The Expert: Alison Stephenson / AAA Caring Caretaker

Alison Stephenson, MD of AAA Caring Caretaker, on her company’s equality and diversity ethos and their drive to employ people with disabilities. In this issue’s Ask the Expert Q&A, we chat to Alison Stephenson, Managing Director at AAA Caring Caretaker, on her...