Peterlee business receives grant to replace compressor at its factory
Aldona Seals, which are based in Peterlee Industrial Estate, has received a grant from BEEP to help fund the install of a replacement compressor at its factory. Aldona are specialists in compression and injection moulding of rubber and plastics, including...
HR Blog: Are staff entitled to the extra bank holiday in 2022?
Have the darker days and winter weather got staff thinking about their next summer holiday? It’s not unusual for some employees to want to get their leave requests in early, especially to tail end the bank holidays for an extended break if they can. In fact, some may...
New restaurant ‘On Coarse’ to open in Durham in the new year
Plans for a new restaurant, offering diners an affordable six-course tasting menu using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, have been unveiled. Coarse will be based in the heart of Durham city centre and will open in the new year. Ruari Mackay, former chef at...
Seaham fitness instructor wins prestigious national award for community contribution
An experienced fitness instructor has won a prestigious national award for the contribution she has made to Seaham’s community. Andrea Tweedy-Dixon has been in the fitness industry for over 10 years and was working as an instructor at Seaham Leisure Centre. However,...
HR Blog: What has and hasn’t changed for the work Christmas party?
Are you hosting a staff Christmas party this year? After a compulsory virtual affair in 2020, and almost two years of pandemic related ifs and buts for events, a Christmas get-together could be just what’s needed to reunite your team. If your workforce has been...
Network with your Neighbour: January 26, 2022
East Durham Business Network is delighted to announce the date of its first networking event of 2022. Network with your Neighbour will take place on Wednesday, January 26, at East Durham College. Businesses from around the area are invited to attend. Updates will be...
Bereavement tech start up launched by Seaham mum and daughter targets growth
A tech start-up that eases the administrative burden left with bereaved families has set its sights on rapid expansion, after receiving support from a team of North East innovation experts. Settld has secured over £800,000 for its end-of-life admin platform, which...
Investment in IT department sees former apprentice Stuart promoted
A former apprentice is moving up the career ladder at TMD Friction in Hartlepool thanks to investment from the company to strengthen its IT department. Stuart Gallagher joined the global automotive manufacturer four and a half years ago and in that time has completed...
County Durham start-ups eye growth through accelerator programme
A group of eight entrepreneurs are set to benefit from an incubator programme designed to accelerate the growth of fledgling businesses in County Durham. Durham City Incubator (DCI) was launched in 2018 as a joint programme between Durham University, New College...
HR Blog: What to do when an employee keeps forgetting things
Forgetfulness. It happens to all of us at one point or another. From forgetting to call someone back to defrosting the food you had planned for dinner or even missing an important anniversary. Causes of forgetfulness are varied, and there are different ways in which...
Peterlee’s ZF gives 21 agency workers permanent contracts
Global automotive technology leader ZF has rewarded 21 temporary workers with permanent contracts, starting as of November 1. The staff, who were initially brought in to meet a demand in orders, were appointed through the Peterlee company’s recruitment partner,...
Seaham company helps manufacturing firm save £65,000 on energy bills
Thanks to the collaborative culture that runs throughout the North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA), member company, ElringKlinger, has achieved £65,000 of savings on its energy costs. Through a long established relationship, Seaham-based, Great Annual Savings Group...
New eatery opens at Dalton Park creating 11 new jobs
A brand new eatery has opened its doors at Dalton Park and is already welcoming guests in with a tempting range of hot and cold drinks, a delicious brunch menu, tasty artisan cakes and authentic Italian Gelato. Etto Caffé is part of the Massarella Catering Group, a...
Family run East Durham Funeral Service celebrates 50 years in business
A Durham-based family-run funeral service are this month celebrating 50 successful years in business. East Durham Funeral Service, headed up by owner Philip Maddison intend to mark the occasion by giving their clients some special deals on pre-payment funeral plans in...
£15m boutique hotel in Durham City reopens with the help of Business Durham
Global boutique hotel chain, IHG Hotel Indigo successfully reopened its prestigious £15million hotel and restaurant in Durham City over the summer with help from Business Durham the Business Support Service for Durham County Council. Hotel Indigo’s 4-star boutique...
Lucy Wood Q&A: The Peterlee teenager and MS sufferer on career aspirations and the business community
You're currently at college aren’t you. What are your career aspirations? I aspire in the future to work within media. I particularly aim to work in social media management. Social media management is the process of analysing social media audiences creating a strategy...
EDBS announces 2022 line up of business support workshops
East Durham Business Service is holding a series of workshops in 2022 which are designed to help people make the move into self-employment and grow their business when they do. The workshops are being delivered by Hina Joshi. Subject and dates below: Finance Workshops...
Jade Business Park’s Power Roll raises £2.5m investment to support global growth
Power Roll, the developer of ultra-low-cost and lightweight flexible film for energy generation and storage, has raised a further £2.5m from existing investors. The investment will support continuing growth and the establishment of a pilot solar film production plant...
HR Blog: Can I ask an employee to come to work on their day off?
Ensuring that you have adequate staffing for your business to operate day-to-day takes some planning. However, if the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that things don’t always go to plan. Finding yourself short-staffed, whether due to sickness absences or an...
Key County Durham figures meet to sign climate pledge during COP26
As world leaders gather in Glasgow over the next two weeks for the crucial COP26 summit, key figures in County Durham got together to pledge their own efforts to tackle climate change. More than 70 attendees, including representatives from Durham County Council,...
Little Mix star and North East illustrator team up to design charity shirt
Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall has enlisted the help of a Newcastle based illustrator to design a football shirt inspired by her home town. The singer, who comes from South Shields, first met James Dixon in April when he provided artwork, based on icons from around the...
Automotive manufacturer launches global academy to support growth
Automotive manufacturer TMD Friction is bringing together employees from facilities around the world, including its Hartlepool plant, after launching a global learning and development academy. The International Training Network has been created to support the...
Durham County Council names new Director of Corporate Resources
A new Corporate Director of Resources has been appointed at the region’s largest council. Paul Darby, who has been interim Corporate Director of Resources at Durham County Council since December, has been appointed to the role on a permanent basis following a...
Redu Group’s Reward Me Now app acquired by Latus Health
Latus Health is targeting several business acquisitions as part of its three-year strategy to become the UK’s first fully remote occupational health services provider. The first acquisition made by the Hull-based business is the Reward Me Now employee health and...
Sunderland to lead low-carbon production with Nissan solar expansion
Ambitious plans to install a further 37,000 solar panels at Nissan’s Sunderland plant have moved a step closer as Engenera Renewables Group, the company delivering the project, formally submitted the planning application to Sunderland City Council. If approved, it...
HR Blog: Excuses, excuses: Are you challenging them in your business?
“I’m running late because my pet snake has escaped, and I need to find it.” “I accidentally got on a plane.” “A fortune teller told me I shouldn’t leave the house through fear of a brain haemorrhage.” Believe it or not, these have all been genuine excuses from...
Barber Shane’s new salon goes from strength to strength
An experienced barber who followed his dream of opening his own business is proving he’s a cut above as his salon continues to grow. Shane Brown has worked in the industry for six years and after spells with a number of salons across the region, he decided to go it...
Seaham-based technology firm launches international partnership
CyberWhite, a North East cybersecurity specialist with offices in Sunderland and Middlesbrough, has brought onboard a new vendor, RiskXchange. RiskXchange helps companies of all sizes defend against cyber threats by providing risk ratings for any company across the...
HR Blog: Beware the banter in your business
Banter is defined as an exchange of light, playful teasing, and is also often accompanied by a declaration of “only joking”. However, as harmless as it sounds, it runs the risk of causing actual damage to a business and the people within it. Banter is often used as a...
HR Blog: What can employers learn from Strictly Come Dancing?
Glitz, glamour, dancing, and a side of drama can only mean one thing, Strictly Come Dancing is back. Grabbing front page storylines since it started last month, this season is sure to provide some entertaining viewing as autumn and winter draw in. Even those not...
TMD Friction launches new health and safety team, creating three new jobs
Three new appointments have been made to form a new dedicated Environment, Health and Safety team at TMD Friction in Hartlepool. The team is spearheaded by manager Shaun Wilson, who joins the global automotive manufacturer from Caterpillar in Peterlee. He was brought...
Delanoy Funeral Services mark first anniversary with investment in office and fleet
A funeral services company which launched during the coronavirus pandemic has marked the end of its first year in business with significant investment in a new Jaguar fleet of hearses. John Delanoy and Julie Stout have also achieved their pledge to reinvest all money...
HR Blog: Has the return of the commute raised HR issues in your business?
The BBC has reported that rush hour trips on the underground are at their highest since March 2020. This suggests that more elements of pre-pandemic life, such as commuting to work, have returned. Some people will be pleased about leaving their home office and...
Thousands of people flock to County Durham food festival
People across County Durham and beyond came to Bishop Auckland to celebrate all things food, when a popular festival returned at the weekend with extra flavour. Thousands of people attended this year’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival, laid on by Durham County Council,...
College students and staff enjoy success at Peter Jones Enterprise Academy awards
A trio of talented Peter Jones Business and Enterprise Academy students and their lecturer from East Durham College are celebrating after success at this year’s Peter Jones Enterprise Academy Award Ceremony. With over £7,000 worth of business investment up for grabs,...
Get your copy of Issue 6 of East Durham Business magazine now
The latest issue of the area’s flagship business magazine, East Durham Business, is out now. Issue six features news and updates from companies across the region, including Peterlee firm Central Doorset Manufacturing, Delanoy Funeral Services, East Durham Business...
Senior appointments for Peterlee-based vegan gelato manufacturer Beau’s
Following Beau’s £400,000 investment round in early 2021, the ethical vegan gelato manufacturer has appointed three senior figures to help it grow the business further and help bring the brand closer to its customers. As well as confirming former Onist Food founder...
HR Blog: Could term-time working benefit your business and staff?
Did you know that term-time only working isn’t just for educational establishments? Term-time only working is a type of flexible working that, if suitable for a business, can widen its prospective pool of talent. As the name suggests, an employee on a term-time only...
Food producers showcase their goods at North East trade fair
A County Durham collective of producers is making it simple for businesses to buy and source local to help boost the region’s economy. Discovering Durham brought together the best local producers from across the North East to its trade fair on Tuesday 21st September...
Redu Retail confirms partnership renewal with Greggs
Greggs has reappointed retail marketing and branded payments provider Redu Retail to lead its Corporate Gift Card provision. The agreement marks the continuation of a collaborative partnership intended to facilitate further growth for the UK’s leading bakery food...
HR Blog: Is the four-day working week closer than we think?
At a time when many business owners are focused on bringing employees back to work, and with some also dealing with a severe shortage of staff, proposals for a four-day working week have once again hit the headlines. Except this time, it’s a little closer to home....
Further boost for Jade Business Park as ARGLA creates manufacturing facility
Architectural facade manufacturer ARGLA, is relocating to a County Durham business park as part of its scale-up plans. Architectural Glass and Aluminium (ARGLA) specialise in the design, manufacture and installation of architectural aluminium glass facades, aluminium...
East Durham Business Service welcomes four new tenants to Novus
Support organisation East Durham Business Service has welcomed four new tenants to Novus Business Centre. Team Evolve, Claire McPhail Counselling, Galaxy Letts and East Durham Counselling have all moved into the Peterlee facility, which provides office space to new...
NETPark earmarked for expansion with £50m of investment
The North East’s premier science and technology park looks set to expand, with councillors being asked to support a near £50m investment in its growth. NETPark at Sedgefield will be extended with a new third phase, should Durham County Council’s Cabinet agree to...
Wellbeing specialist offers mental health workshops to SMEs recovering from the pandemic
Wellbeing specialist Bethany Ainsley, who started her business in East Durham, has stepped up to support the Open North Foundation, by offering a series of wellbeing workshops to SMEs recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and targeted mental health and wellbeing...
Apprentices on the right track for careers at TMD Friction
Three young apprentices are working towards potential careers with TMD Friction after being given the opportunity to learn while they earn. The global automotive manufacturer, which has its only UK production facility in Hartlepool, has been making parts for the...
Turtle Bay begins recruitment auditions for 50 jobs at new Durham city restaurant
Turtle Bay, the popular Caribbean restaurant and bar group, is holding auditions for jobs at its new Durham venue. Work is underway on a two-storey 4850 sq ft restaurant at The Riverwalk Durham and Turtle Bay hopes to recruit up to 50 people before opening its doors...
HR BLOG: Are you aware of the risks surrounding promotions and demotions?
Promotions in the workplace should be positive. They create new and exciting opportunities for employees and the businesses that they work for. They are however, like all aspects of people management, subject to complications. Are you aware of the risks involved when...
Six-figure investment supports Wingate engineering company’s growth
A Wingate-based civil engineering and groundworks business has received more than £194,000 in research and development (R&D) tax credits across two claims, thanks to the innovation demonstrated in its projects. Founded in 2015, N&T Civils Ltd carry out...
County Durham entrepreneur Keith Gill to appear on national TV after penning his memoirs
North East entrepreneur Keith Gill, one of the founders of the snack brand Phileas Fogg, has written his memoirs, detailing his life and career spanning five decades. The memoirs are in two parts. Taking It Head On: Memoirs of a County Durham Miner’s Son is Part 1 and...
Power Roll to create ‘first of its kind’ manufacturing facility at Jade Business Park
Power Roll is creating a first of its kind solar film manufacturing facility at a County Durham business park as part of its expansion plans. The company, which is currently based in Washington, is moving its manufacturing and head office to the new unit at Jade...
Production underway at Corehaus at Jade Business Park
Production of the first steel-framed modular homes is now underway at a County Durham factory. The milestone – along with the announcement of significant initial contracts – has been marked by CoreHaus with an official opening of its 20,000 sq ft unit on Jade Business...
Peterlee company Auxillis to create 40 new jobs
Peterlee employer Auxillis is creating 40 new jobs after two major business wins during lockdown. The first, a brand new partner and the second, a significant extension of services with an existing insurance partner. This growth means that Auxillis is already looking...
Third site for ResQ to support continued growth
ResQ, the leading outsourced contact centre specialist, has opened a new office in the iconic Hammonds of Hull building, which has been part of a major refurbishment programme for the past two years. This will be ResQ’s third site, with the business retaining its...
ZF Peterlee celebrates International Women in Engineering Day
Global technology leader ZF is marking International Women in Engineering Day (Wednesday, June 23) with the appointment of another female engineering apprentice. Beth Parodi started earlier this year as a Level-3 SQA apprentice. Having completed her probationary...
Seaham businesswoman Helen Golightly of the North East LEP awarded OBE
One of the region’s most respected leaders has been awarded an OBE for services to business and the regional economy. Helen Golightly, chief executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP), has been recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours...