Tag: business

£3m Investment Secured for City Centre as Businesses Vote Yes to Sunderland BID…

By on 4th December 2018in Business
Business Improvement District

Sunderland Business Improvement District will continue for a further five years, after city centre businesses voted yes to secure its future.

The results of the ballot for the BID to continue for a second term was announced this morning (29 November) with an overwhelming vote in favour.

72.7 per cent of votes cast by businesses supported the BID, which amounted to 77.1 per cent of businesses by rateable value.

More than 51 per cent of businesses voted – way above the national average.

And that means the BID will now be able to turn into reality its long term strategy to make the city centre a welcoming, safe, clean and attractive environment for businesses and visitors.

Sharon Appleby, Head of Business Operations at Sunderland BID, said the organisation now has the opportunity to build on the foundations which had already been laid.

“This is a great vote of confidence in the work that has already been done and we can build on those successes to help Sunderland city centre become the vibrant and prosperous place it deserves to be,” she said.

“Going forward it is about continuing to work in close partnership with leading organisations, the council and of course the levy payers so that we can turn the vision for the city into a reality.

“We’d also like to thank all the businesses who have given their support and who have put their confidence in us.

The BIDs plan for the next five years is built on three main priorities – City Pride, City Promotion and City Voice – with the bid already unveiling some of its ideas for each of these areas.

This includes strengthening its street ranger team as part of City Pride, along with plans for a food and drink festival and the continued Christmas programme under its City Promotion pledge

The BID is also planning to take an active role in bidding for a share of the High Street Fund, recently announced by the Chancellor.

“We can bid for up to £25m and the BID will be playing an important part in ensuring that Sunderland gets a share of this fund,” said Sharon.

Today’s good news has also been welcomed by chair of the BID board, Alan Patchett, who said it was great news for the city.

“We are absolutely delighted the BID has won the support of the city centre businesses, who see its value and have given us the opportunity to work on their behalf going forward,” he said.

“I’d also like to thank the BID team for their hard work over the last five years. They have played an important part in us achieving this great outcome.”

Cllr Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Centre, added that it was a good day for the city.

“We’re delighted that city centre businesses have agreed to a second five year term for Sunderland Business Improvement District,” he said.

“The BID has played a key part in helping increase the vibrancy of Sunderland city centre in the last few years by introducing popular attractions like the twice yearly restaurant weeks, the Fanzone, Hadrian’s Tipi and the Christmas ice rink at Keel Square that help bring people into the heart of the city.

“Voting the BID in for another term will allow them to carry on this good work at the same time as trying some new things like the introduction of street rangers as well as continuing to give city centre businesses a voice.”

The BID’s new term will begin in April 2019.

North East’s Encore Envelopes Secures Future in Yorkshire

By on 4th December 2018in Business
Encore envelopes business

Washington-headquartered business and the UK’s largest independent manufacturer of printed envelopes, Encore Envelopes Limited, has secured the future of its Leeds operation with a 10-year property deal.

After acquiring Great Northern Envelopes from administrators in February 2018 and safeguarding a significant number of jobs, Encore has moved production from Morley to a better-suited, 25,000 square foot site in Dewsbury offering high quality facilities to futureproof its growth.

Russell Croisdale, managing director of Encore Group, said: “The acquisition was a difficult period, but we are in a stronger position now and saving so many jobs is something we are proud of.

“The new site on Shawcross Business Park is just what we have been looking for and provides us with everything we need to develop the business further.”

Encore is investing in the new premises with a full refurbishment of the offices and installation of LED lighting throughout the property. The company is also recruiting both qualified and trainee printers to help shape the thriving business.

Paul Mack, director at Gent Visick who negotiated the transaction on behalf of the landlord said: “We are clearly delighted to see Encore Envelopes acquire GNE out of administration and safeguard so many jobs. On behalf of the landlord we were very pleased the company selected this building, which looks to be ideal for its needs.”

“The transaction was particularly complicated given the timescale in which Encore needed the premises, whilst at the same time having to negotiate an early surrender with the outgoing tenant.”

Langleys Solicitors, which has offices in York and Lincoln and acts on behalf of private individuals, owner managed businesses and large national organisations, have assisted and worked closely with the management team at Encore on a number of projects and transactions.

James Bradley, senior associate at Langleys Solicitors commented: “We have a long-established relationship with Encore and have acted on a number of property and corporate transactions for the firm. The company has seen impressive growth during this time and clearly has an exciting future ahead.”

The new site will enable the envelope overprint and sales operation to thrive. Between Leeds and Washington, the company is now able to offer a diverse range of products and quality of service which cannot be matched anywhere else in the UK.

For more information on Encore Group, see www.theencoregroup.co.uk.

Sapere Develops Teesside University Startup Sessions

By on 7th November 2018in Business
Software Partnership

Stockton-headquartered software development company, Sapere, is building on its partnership with Teesside University to offer free, informative seminars designed to make software more accessible to businesses in the North East and beyond.

With the company having started through the university’s business incubator at Teesside Launchpad, Sapere is developing its relationship with the scheme by rolling out its ‘Sapere Sessions’, advisory seminars focusing on taking an idea for an app and turning it into a piece of software that can underpin a business.

Lizzie Dixon, enterprise coordinator at Teesside Launchpad, said: “We are always keen to support growing businesses in the Tees Valley, so working with Sapere in this way enables us to help each other, with Sapere sharing knowledge and expertise and Launchpad hosting the workshops.”

Taking place at Teesside University’s Victoria Building on Friday November 23rd, Sapere is teaming up with Endeavour Partnership, covering topics such as monetising an app, marketing considerations and development timescales.

Endeavour Partnership will provide free legal advice on intellectual property and terms and conditions.

Martin McKinnell, senior associate and technology associate at Endeavour Partnership, said: “We’re excited to work on this project again with Sapere following the first successful session back in July. There are many creative minds in the North East that we want to offer a helping hand to; it would be great to see some of their ideas come to life.”

Free to attend, there will be two sessions to choose from; 10am to 12pm, and 5pm to 7pm.

Sapere continued its partnership with Teesside University with a tenancy at the university-managed Fusion Hive on Stockton’s North Shore, which offers a state-of-the-art workspace, as well as access to the university’s significant business networks, expertise and training provision, and help in sourcing potential funding.

Paul Drake, operations director at Sapere, said: “We are honoured to be hosting the sessions at the Launchpad, and to be able to give back to businesses that are beginning their journey.

“These sessions are a gateway for the creative minds that the university is cultivating, and businesses in the area. It’s not the sort of advice found in a textbook – we’re pooling over 30 years of bespoke software development experience within our business to pass on to others.”

 

To book a free place on this Sapere Session, see the following links:

 

Morning session: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sapere-software-startup-sessions-in-partnership-with-endeavour-morning-tickets-52217719605

 

Evening session: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sapere-software-startup-sessions-in-partnership-with-endeavour-evening-tickets-52220378558

For more information on Sapere see www.sapere.co.uk

North East BIC launches new round of innovation funding

By on 11th October 2018in Business

A programme designed to unlock the innovative potential of North East SMEs has been relaunched by the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC).

The new programme will build on the success of the BIC’s previous SME Innovation Programme and will assist businesses in the region to become more innovative, enabling them to increase their competitiveness and exploit more opportunities – bringing huge benefits to the region.

The BIC has received £899,250 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.

And over the next three years, the programme will support over 70 SMEs by providing the advice and funding required to outsource innovation experts who will help SMEs to develop new products, services or processes and / or help bring them to market.

Innovation Manager at the North East BIC, Elizabeth Shaw, said: “North East SME’s have a growing appetite to invest in research and development so I’m delighted that we have the opportunity to continue putting the region on the innovation map.

“In order to prosper, businesses must innovate and whilst most would agree with the sentiment, it can be difficult to know where to begin.

“We take pride in the relationship we build with SMEs and partners and, as a result, gain a deeper understanding of the knowledge and skills required to take ideas from concept to reality.

“We’ve already engaged with so many diverse sectors and there’s certainly an upsurge of businesses reinventing their core activity to innovate and think differently.

“Over the last six years we have worked with a plethora of clients who have gone on to launch innovative products or services ranging from antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) development and DNA-based technology, to digital engineering solutions, clean energy and seaweed-based technology.

“These innovators – on the back of our support – have made a great start in changing the perceptions of the innovative potential of SMEs across the North East.”

The previous SME Innovation Programme ran until August this year.

More Than 2,000 People Sign Up For DurhamWorks help

By on 12th January 2017in In & Around

More than 2,000 young people have now signed up to a £17 million project designed to develop their skills, increase opportunities and help them into work.

The DurhamWorks programme is aiming to improve the prospects of County Durham’s 16 to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training.

And just six months into the more than two year project it is well on course to put almost 6,000 people on the path to employment by summer 2018.

Cllr Ossie Johnson, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services said: “In only a few months DurhamWorks has successfully signed up over 2,000 County Durham 16 to 24-year-olds  who were not in employment, education, or training.

“Unfortunately due to issues including the late introduction of increased requirements by the Department of Work and Pensions, and a delay in the payment of funding from the Government, we have had to request that our original target for sign ups in 2016 be reduced.

“Yet the overall target of involving 5,830 people in the DurhamWorks programme by July 2018 remains unchanged and, having now introduced a system to gather and verify eligibility, we expect the numbers of participants to increase significantly in the coming weeks.

“We are working with employers and Business Durham to make sure there are jobs and apprenticeships for people to progress into, and we remain confident that the project will be a success.”

Already more than 300 small firms are working with the project to help create new job opportunities for the county’s young people, with businesses saying they appreciate the support they are receiving  to help them recruit the most appropriate people.

And more businesses are being encouraged to find out about working with the project, to help find the young staff they need.

The council’s Cabinet will receive an update on the programme on Wednesday January 18.

For more information about DurhamWorks, and how to get involved, visit www.durham.gov.uk/durhamworks

Baldwins Enhances Northern Presence Through Formation Of North East Board And Significant Team Expansion

By on 5th January 2017in Lifestyle

Baldwins Accountants has formed a North East board out of three local firms, in a bid to enhance its northern presence to better serve the region’s businesses.

The board, made up of Evolution Director, Martin Barber, Rowlands Director, Andrew Little, and Dawn Walton, Director of Alnwick Accountants, will oversee the running of the existing combined firms and expand expertise in order to build an exciting and dynamic accountancy practice fit for the future.

Combining 75 years of industry practice between them, the new board will benefit companies around the North East by combining talent, experience and expertise across the region.

“We’re excited at the prospect for the firm within the North East and as likeminded individuals, we feel we are well placed to deliver excellent career opportunities,” said Martin.

Andrew added: “Through this new, combined larger approach, we will be able to help more businesses, who will benefit from enhanced expertise and top quality, local service.”

Establishing a North East board is just one of the ways the firm, headquartered in the West Midlands, is increasing its profile in the area.

A recent recruitment drive, which saw 11 new starters added to the Baldwins North East group, takes its current team of staff to over 200.

The new members, four of which are apprentices, cover a range of roles within the company and are based all over the North East.

About the new employees, Dawn said: “It’s fantastic to see the North East team expanding so rapidly and with such an eclectic mix of talent and experience.

“We feel it’s important to employ apprentices alongside more experienced members, because we like to give talented youngsters a real career opportunity and our strong links to local education establishments have made this possible.”

With over 10,000 clients and a turnover in excess of £10m in the North East alone, Baldwins is regarded as one of the fastest growing accountancy practices in the UK, a factor which attracted Accounts Senior, Andrew Harrison.

He said: “The chance to work for such a progressive and expanding firm was too good an opportunity to overlook.

“The fact Baldwins keeps growing, yet retains the local accountants’ office feel, really interested me.”

This is a sentiment echoed by Sarah Hale, newly appointed director in audit, who said: “I love the vision and the progressive attitude the firm shows and I also like the idea of working with customers who really need us and value us.”

Tax apprentice Ben Harrison added: “Baldwins jumped out as a great firm to work for when I was applying for apprenticeships, from doing original research on the company website, right down to interview process.

“I was delighted when I was offered a position here and knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”

Baldwins Accountants is one of the largest, independent accountancy firms in the UK with 33 offices and over 800 staff. The firm specialises in accountancy and business advisory services, including corporate finance and specialist tax advice to all businesses from start-ups to mature companies, across a broad range of business sectors.

For more information, please visit: http://www.baldwinsaccountants.co.uk/index.php

Twitter – @baldwinsandco

Landlord Accreditation Scheme Racks Up Century

By on 5th January 2017in What's New?

A scheme to support landlords and protect tenants across County Durham has reached a new landmark.

Durham County Council’s Landlord Accreditation Scheme has welcomed its 100th member, Paul McFarling, bringing the total number of properties covered by the scheme to well over 2,000 across the county.

The project sees landlords working with the council to ensure they offer quality accommodation and gives tenants peace of mind that their landlord is registered with the local authority.

Paul said: “Being accredited means that people looking to rent can see that I’m a reputable landlord who offers good quality, well managed accommodation. There are so many programmes on television these days showing rogue landlords using dodgy practices that it’s a brilliant and easy way to reassure people looking to rent.

“By working with the council I also get a range of support and advice, like being kept up to date with all of the latest changes to legislation, so it’s something I’d definitely recommend all landlords consider joining.”

Landlords who sign up to the voluntary scheme agree to work in line with a code of practice which ensures that tenants can rent with confidence. In return their properties are advertised on the Durham Key Options website – the online portal for social housing – giving them access to a waiting list of potential tenants. They also get access to a tenancy referencing service, receive updates on changes in landlord legislation and can apply to the council’s empty property loan scheme, which has so far provided nearly £1.5 million to bring long-term empty homes back into use across the county.

Cllr Eddie Tomlinson, Cabinet member for strategic housing, said: “Our Landlord Accreditation Scheme is making a real difference in County Durham and we’re delighted to welcome Paul as our 100th member.

“It provides help and support to ensure landlords can offer quality homes but it also gives tenants peace of mind, knowing they’re renting from someone who adheres to a code of practice enforced by the council.”

“With landlords also getting access to our empty homes loan scheme it’s helping to bring hundreds of long term empty properties back into use, improving housing and entire communities across the county.”

Prospective tenants can rent with confidence knowing that the council inspects the properties on offer, that their tenancy is protected by a written agreement and that they may qualify for a deposit guarantee scheme.

Landlords can find out more about the scheme and how to sign up by visiting www.durham.gov.uk/landlordaccreditation

Tenants looking for accredited landlords can find properties at: www.durhamkeyoptions.co.uk.

New framework Targets Business Boost

By on 11th December 2016in In & Around

Durham County Council’s Cabinet will be asked to endorse a new framework to help grow the county’s private sector when they meet next week (14 December).

The Business and Enterprise Framework will focus on supporting the private sector to improve the county’s economy as a whole. Created by the County Durham Economic Partnership (CDEP), it aims to create an online portal that the private sector, and organisations which support it, can use to maximise resources to add further value and productivity. In doing so, the CDEP hopes to help increase the number and quality of jobs, improve access to the market and encourage more innovation across the county.

Set up in 1994, the CDEP is the strategic partnership for regeneration and economic development in County Durham, comprising over 60 public, private and voluntary sector organisations, including the council.

Analysis has been carried out to identify eight specific industrial sectors across the county as well as mapping to determine geographical clusters of businesses and employment hotspots. Alongside work to recognise competencies that are key to the sector, such as financial awareness and management skills, this will allow the information and resources made available online to be specifically tailored to the needs of the private sector.

Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “The new Business and Enterprise Framework is taking an innovative approach with the aim of creating more and better jobs for the people of County Durham.

“Historically the county has had a smaller private sector than the rest of the country so by providing an online resource specifically targeted at supporting the sector we hope we can not only create jobs and add value to those that already exist, but improve the economy for everyone.”

Cabinet will be updated on the work carried out on the Business and Enterprise Framework and be asked to endorse the creation of the portal when they meet at County Hall at 10am on Wednesday, 14 November.

Tarmac Sending Trainees To Sim Academy Simulation Training Event

By on 3rd October 2016in Local Biz

Tarmac, the UK’s leading building materials supplier, will join forces with Sim Academy to send two of its trainees to an innovative simulated training scheme…

The organisation, which currently employs 6,000 people at over 400 locations across the UK, is working with the Academy to road test the new scheme before an official launch later in the year.

Sim Academy is offering simulated training exercises using its state-of-the-art machinery to achieve realistic and engaging experiences across the agriculture, construction and mining sectors.

The scheme negates the need for on-the-job training in dangerous industries, meaning that employees and machinery can remain in operation while new recruits are trained off-site.

The equipment can be adapted to simulate a range of industry machinery such as track excavators, wheel loaders, tower cranes and articulated hauliers, delivering a safe and environmentally-friendly alternative to on-the-job training where one-on-one vehicle time can be limited.

Simulation training is already used in industries such as air travel and medicine.

Speaking of the new training scheme, Mr X, a spokesperson for Tarmac UK, said: “Bringing simulation into the construction industry is a really interesting concept, and we’re excited to be sending two of our trainees to experience the simulators first hand.

“Training new recruits on-site can be demanding – not only for our employees who have to take time out of their schedules, but for our existing fleet which has to be taken out of operation during training exercises.

“A simulated, off-site alternative is a great idea, and we’re excited about what this means for the future of training at Tarmac”.

Mick Gray, who is an experienced educational facilitator, will head the Sim Academy project.

With decades of experience working with organisations such as Caterpillar, UK Coal and managing his own training solutions firm, Competency Training Solutions, Mick will be able to offer his skills and expertise to trainees looking to meet the industry’s competency requirements.

Speaking of his new venture, Mick said: “I’ve always been interested in finding new ways to improve the safety and efficiency of training employees in using machinery, so simulation makes sense.

“It’s great to see businesses such as Tarmac take an interest in our brand new simulation training. We’ve already had a lot of enquiries regarding our open days, but we still have spaces available if you want to see what Sim Academy can do.”

Sim Academy is holding open days between 10th and the 14th of October to showcase its innovative training solutions. To find out more or to book a place, visit simacademy.co.uk.

Lord Lieutenant Commends Newly Qualified F. Jones Apprentices

By on 7th July 2016in Local Biz

Apprentices at Teesside’s award winning specialist work surface manufacturers, F Jones Cleveland, received distinguished approval for their hard work, when they were awarded their vocational certificates by the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire…

The Lord Lieutenant, Mr. Barry Dodd CBE, Her Majesty’s representative in the County and charged with upholding the dignity of the Crown, visited the Middlesbrough based company to present 16 members of staff with their Intermediate Level Apprenticeship qualifications.

Mr. Dodd CBE, who is also Chairman of GSM Group Ltd, spoke highly of the accomplishments of the young F Jones apprentices.

“You should all be incredibly proud of yourselves”. He said: “It takes great determination to go out there, find a job and then push yourselves to study and do further training. Your achievements here clearly illustrate the practical value of learning and I’m sure this experience will be of enormous help in ensuring you have the right tools to go on to even greater success in your chosen careers”.

In the three decades since its foundation in 1982, the Company has developed into the largest and most successful of its kind in the UK; a genuine market leader, pioneering many of the logistical and fabrication techniques that are now considered industry standard.

Chairman, Mr. Fred Jones, credits much of this success to the highly skilled and motivated workforce and the company’s close links with local government learning organisations. “Our aim is to give young people access to a pathway to employment through training”, he said. “F. Jones Cleveland has been running successful training courses since 2007 with all but two of our current team having come through an apprenticeship or training to work schemes”.

The Company prides itself on creating and maintaining strong community links, working with local organisations and people to build its workforce and goes the extra mile for apprentices by supporting and providing literacy, numeracy and IT training, private healthcare, banking, and in-house financial support schemes to ensure young people have the best possible opportunity for success.

Speaking about the event which took place at F. Jones Cleveland’s state-of-the-art, 60,000 square ft factory in Riverside, Mr. Fred Jones said: “It was a privilege to have the Lord Lieutenant visit and join us in support of the young apprentices here at F Jones Cleveland.  The presence of the Lord Lieutenant gave emphasis to the value of their achievements and made the occasion even more significant and memorable for us all. Everyone has worked incredibly hard for these qualifications, and what better recognition than to have our honoured guest present their certificates to them.”

To find out more about F. Jones visit www.fjonesltd.com/.

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