Tag: business

Sunderland Shopping Centre Expansion Plans To Be Exhibited

By on 15th October 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

Sunderland shoppers will be able to get the first look at the exciting new expansion plans for the Bridges, with an exhibition of the proposed development going on display this weekend (October 17th).

The new scheme includes a new large store for an as-yet-unnamed leading retailer adjacent to the centre, and will provide improved public spaces and new parking facilities.

As part of the planning process, local people are being given the opportunity to share their views, and with that in mind, an informal exhibition showcasing the plans will be on view on Saturday 17th October from 10am to 4.30pm, and on Sunday 18th October from 11.30am and 4pm.

Visitors to the exhibition, in Central Square at the Bridges, will be invited to give their feedback, or alternatively they can view the plans and give their feedback online at www.thebridges-shopping.com from Oct 17th.

All feedback and comments are welcomed by Nov 2nd 2015.

“This is a very exciting time for the Bridges,” said Andy Bradley, Centre Director, “and we hope as many people as possible will come and view the plans and let us know their thoughts.”

Alnwick Garden Recognised As Outstanding Wedding Venue

By on 15th October 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

A popular Northumberland wedding venue has been recognised as one of the most outstanding locations in the region…

The Alnwick Garden received the prestigious “Outstanding Wedding Venue Judges’ Choice” Award at The North of England Wedding Awards 2015  – the first time it has entered.

Along with being praised for the excellence of their service, the product quality, value for money and outstanding commitment, the venue win was supported by glowing testimonials from happy couples.

Since opening, The Pavilion Room at the Garden has been hugely popular for weddings, giving couples the chance to celebrate while overlooking the gardens and the grand cascade water feature.

The food operation (which was also praised by the judges) is run for the venue by Ramside Event Catering, which has a long history of providing catering for a huge range of external events.

“This award pays homage not only to the garden itself but, also to all the hard work that everyone – including the team at Ramside Event Catering – put in to making every couples’ wedding day as special as possible,” said Arthur Piszcz, Events Sales Executive.

“The Alnwick Garden is such a beautiful venue, which makes it incredibly popular all year round, and we are delighted it has been recognised in this way.

“It’s a real tribute to what we have here that we are the first venue to take the major award the first time we’ve entered.”

The North of England wedding Awards are organised in association with The Wedding Guide UK, and are Yorkshire and North East England’s most prestigious awards for client service excellence. The awards recognise businesses which go the extra mile for their customers, providing outstanding service and inspiring their customers to want to actively and positively promote them.

The Alnwick Garden runs a number of all-inclusive wedding packages throughout the year with the option of special added extras and bespoke wedding packages.

For more information about weddings at The Alnwick Garden visit www.alnwickgarden.com, or contact the wedding team on 01665 511081. You can also email weddings@alnwickgarden.com.

Dr Twist: Reviving Traditional Sepia Portrait Photography

By on 13th October 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

Charles Twist and Caed Parker are bringing classic portraiture back to life with their traditional, hand-crafted approach to photography. Read on for their story in their own words…

 

Started by photographers Charles Twist and Caed Parker in 2014, Dr Twist’s Photographarium offers the experience of traditional photography, creating beautiful and timeless, sepia portraits.

Our big plate cameras are fitted with historical lenses, some as old as the 1850s, and are perfectly complemented by a Victorian developing process which delivers real sepia prints. The resulting images have a quality and charm that is not easily mimicked by any modern methods, and along with the physical feel of the print (like a vinyl record over an mp3), the photographs possess a unique presence and character.

The experience transports you to another world. Sitting for a plate camera is a luxury to be enjoyed slowly, and is a process that involves both the photographer and the sitter. This interaction translates in to a portrait that is both warm and truthful.

We bring with us an assortment of vintage props and accessories. Some are genuinely old, while some are quality, modern counterparts. The costumes add great depth to the portraits. Plus, they’re great fun!

A common misconception is that the sitter must remain still for long periods. In reality, while composing the picture can take a few minutes, you only have to stay steady for half a second. We’ve even photographed children and animals with great success.

 

The plates are processed on site in our specially constructed darkroom. Small and self-contained, it is the modern equivalent of the erstwhile developing carts which would have been used a hundred years ago, allowing the studio experience to travel to your home (or the beach!). Ours is designed so that the whole process is on view. You can look in and see your plate go from a blank sheet of paper to a one-off sepia portrait in the space of a few minutes.

Witnessing this in our modern digital world conjures up a by-gone age when things happened slowly and deliberately. It is enthralling and educational in equal measure.

Each print is totally unique. The piece of paper which is processed in our darkroom-on-wheels is the self-same sheet that is exposed in camera and later handed to the sitter. There are no other copies, no negatives, and (of course) no digital files. The portrait is as unique as an original pencil drawing – quite a rare occurrence in photography, and one that gives the portrait very strong, personal value.

Quite apart from that, nobody else offers this service in this country (maybe even in the world), making it even more special!

 

We’re available for private sittings to create stunning sepia portraits of your family, your children, your pets, your home, your friends. It may be for a special occasion – a birthday, a wedding, a christening, an anniversary, a Christmas party – or simply because you like to know that your portrait has been created with love and care in the traditional, hand-crafted way. A unique print makes a perfect memento of an important day.

With Christmas coming up, a studio session would create original entertainment at your party, at home, at the pub or at the office. Each guest would sit for a portrait that they could take away on the day. A unique sepia portrait is a great gift which tells your family, friends and colleagues how much you value their companionship.

A sepia portrait of the children or the family is also a brilliantly original Christmas present for the grandparents. In this circumstance, we encourage people to be photographed without our props and accessories, simply because the prints are so beautiful and charming in themselves. Pet photography is also a favourite. Our portraits reveal your furry friends at their best!

We’re also hired by businesses and event companies to entertain on their special occasions – a launch, an important visit, a conference, an office party, a festival. Our portraits are impressively presented in card mounts which we can personalise with your company logo.

 

Dr Twist’s Photographarium is ideal for a range of periods from the 1880s to the 1940s, and for a range of styles, such as Victorian and Art Deco, to Steampunk. We can modulate our setup to adapt itself to your circumstances. We can even prepare your very own painted backdrop!

Would you like your own unique sepia portrait? You can find more details on Dr Twist’s website, follow them on Facebook, or email them at info@drtwists.com.

Want to discuss your portrait further? Call 07975 945 884 for Charles, or 07738 740 160 for Caed.

Dr Twist’s Photographarium
30-32 Marske Road
Saltburn-by-the-Sea
TS12 1QG

All images are copyright of Dr Twist’s Photographarium, except DrTwist_Festival.jpg which is copyright of Tracy Kidd. This image shows Charles Twist (left) and Caed Parker (right).

The images may only be used with our permission.

Vintageous Rags: Outfit Of The Week #1

By on 10th October 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

Grace Stringer, owner of Middlesbrough’s hottest vintage and retro boutique, Vintageous Rags, shares this week’s favourite outfit…

 

Everyone needs a little black dress, and especially for Autumn and Winter.

It’s a safety net for us girls. Super easy to glam up, but never over the top. This week’s dress (UK12 £16) is especially great, because not only can you jazz it up, but you can also use it for layering. Plus, sleeves are definitely a bonus when it’s chilly!

Here I’ve added a splash of colour to the outfit by using a head scarf (£4), 80’s belt (M £12), and an evening handbag (£12) to brighten it up. You can do whatever you like with it though… with an LBD, anything goes!

You can find this outfit in our Baker Street store, Middlesbrough, or you can shop online at www.vintageousrags.com. See you soon!

Follow Vintageous Rags on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

7 Ways To Get (And Stay) Motivated

By on 7th October 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

Andy Knowles, MD of Jak Inc, shares the advice that keeps him going…

Sometimes we all need a bit of extra motivation.

Whether it’s with a new diet, business venture, or just getting out of bed in the morning, it doesn’t always come easy, so the next time you need to top up your tank, think of these helpful tips…

1. Get Serious

Stop fooling around. Time, as they say, is getting on, so take action now. Sooner or later, you’re going to have to take the first step to reaching your goals and aspirations… so why not now?

2. Know Your Limiting Step

What’s stopping you? What’s the one skill area that holds you back? Ask for honest feedback from people you can trust. What can you improve in areas of your life and work?

3. Get Around The Right People

To stay motivated you need to avoid the negative people, and surround yourself instead with the positive ones. Those who are already achieving their goals are the people who can inspire you.

4. Take Care Of Yourself

A good diet and exercise does more than keep your weight down. A healthy body is a healthy mind, and isn’t something you should be putting off until New Year.

5. Appreciate Yourself

If you see yourself as being the best at what you do, the results can be amazing. Before you even start your journey, first believe that you can do it.

6. Talk Nicely To Yourself

Tell yourself I am the best in my field, I can do this, and I love my work. It won’t sound big-headed or boastful. You’re just vocalising what you want to achieve.

7. Get Going

Move fast! A sense of urgency is a great way to separate yourself from the rest of the pack. Most people are aware of what they should do, but only a few actually follow up and take action, so make every minute count.

For more of Andy’s advice, you can visit the Jak Inc Blog, or follow Jak Inc on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Your Recommendation: CBT Tests With Ace Motorcycle Training

By on 6th October 2015in Have Your Say, Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

Andy Knowles waxes lyrical about passing his Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) with Ace Motorcycle Training.

 

Passing my CBT is something I’ve always wanted to do, because I’ve always had a passion for Vespas. I just loved the idea of riding to the coast, taking in the scenery, grabbing a coffee, and socialising with other scooter riders who share the passion.

I’d previously dealt with Jimmy Rimmer and his company at Ace Motorcycle Training,
so booked in my CBT last year. They were extremely professional from the start, and the customer service I received on the telephone was extremely polite, talking me through everything I should expect on the one-day training course.

On the day of my test, my instructor explained all of the necessary safety information, including riding position, the correct helmets to purchase, protective clothing, and even choosing the right bike.

When it came to the practical side of things, the instructor took me through bike safety checks and maintenance advice, and then we took position and began doing some riding around Ace’s own circuit.

After lunch we took the bikes onto the public roads, and rode for about an hour. We were linked up to the instructor through radios so we could take instructions, meaning there was never a breakdown in communication.

I must admit that I was quite apprehensive before going onto the public roads, but the instructor’s knowledge and expertise helped ease my nerves. His advice was ongoing throughout.

At the end of the day, I was extremely pleased to be told I had passed, and was awarded my certificate. A fantastic end to a great day!

I went on to purchase a 2006 Vespa PX 125 in black, and I take it out most weekends. I find it very relaxing and love the freedom it gives me.

 

If you’re thinking about riding a scooter (or even something bigger), I’d highly recommend Ace Motorcycle Training. They have centres in Durham and Billingham, and the instructors are highly knowledgable in both.

Thanks, Ace!

Have you had a great experience with a North East business? Want to make your own recommendation?

Email online@inandaroundmag.co.uk and tell us all about it!

10 Essential Tips For Selling Your Home

By on 6th October 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

When it comes to selling your home, small details make a big difference in encouraging people back up the path for a second viewing. Thinking of selling yours? Here are ten tops tips for attracting buyers, courtesy of Estate Agents Brannen & Partners…

 

1. First Impressions

Stand outside your property. How would you rate it? Would it appeal to you as a buyer? Does it need repainting, the garden need tidying, and the path weeding? Initial impressions can stay with a potential buyer long after they’ve viewed a property, so the presentation of the outside is just as important as the inside.

2. A Room With A Purpose

In the current market, a property needs to clearly justify its value if a buyer is to offer anywhere near the asking price. Without expensive renovations or building works, one of the most straightforward ways to validate the asking price is to appraise each room as if it has a price tag attached to it. Some rooms have a much higher value than others, and ‘dual-use’ rooms in particular often don’t appeal.

A dining room may seem charming if doubling up as a playroom, but buyers attribute more value to a dining room than a child’s play area, so try and keep the toys elsewhere. If a spare upstairs room has become a home office, turn it back into a simple bedroom. Buyers rate the number of bedrooms very highly!

3. Let The Air In

Musty-smelling rooms are off-putting and make people want to get out before they’ve even noticed the stunning ceiling rose. Don’t forget to air rarely used rooms… and teenagers’ bedrooms!

4. Lighten Up

If you have a dark room or hallway, make sure all the lights are on. Table or floor standing lights can be particularly effective without emphasising the lack of natural light.

5. Don’t Forget Your Keys

Buyers will be entering through the front door, but they’ll want to see all areas of the property, including outside spaces and garages, so remember to keep all keys with you. A good viewing should be efficient, simple and friendly. If vendors are rushing around the house frantically searching for keys, the viewing can quickly seem disorganised and muddled, sentiments which can easily be applied to the house itself and put the buyer off.

6. Smell Of Success

You shouldn’t underestimate the power of the sense of smell and how it affects our other senses. A home that smells fresh and clean is more important than baking bread or brewing coffee.

7. Window Dressing

People are always drawn towards windows, so make them a real focal point. Apart from ensuring the glass is sparkling (well worth paying a window cleaner), clear junk off window sills and keep curtains pulled well back to make rooms seem lighter and bigger.

 

8. Floor Space

The tidier the better! It’s particularly important to take everything off the floor, as carpet clutter is the quickest way to make a room look smaller.

9. The Pets Have To Go

Remember that not everyone loves your pets as much as you do. Dishes of pet food in the kitchen, especially in warm weather, are a complete turn-off, as are little accidents left on the lawn. Try and take dogs out for walks during viewings, as barking and scratching at doors can be off-putting to someone visiting. Try and remove hair and smells as best you can.

10. Leave People To Browse

Viewers don’t want to be pounced on by owners and over-loaded with information. Allow people to look around the property and ask if they have any specific questions they would like answering.

Getting the basics right will often help make the property more sellable and achieve the best possible price. Don’t worry about spending a lot of money on a property prior to sale, as there’s no guarantee you’ll recoup the outlay, or that it’ll be to any potential buyer’s tastes. Instead, do all the little finishing off bits. Touching up paintwork and neutralising walls from bold colours can often be more cost and time effective, without the hassle.

Looking to buy or sell? You can visit www.brannen-partners.co.uk for more information, or call 0191 2578484 to speak to an advisor personally.

4 Things Exotic Animal Owners Need To Know

By on 5th October 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

Kevin Stevens, owner of Coast To Coast, the North East’s leading exotic animal dealer and breeder, shares five essential tips for first-time owners…

 

Reptiles, amphibians, tarantulas and invertebrates aren’t everyones cup of tea, but for many people they make an ideal pet or hobby. There are now more reptiles in UK homes than cats and dogs!

But education is paramount, and in no particular order, these are the five most important tips that we at Coast To Coast always give to budding exotic animal keepers…

1. Always Maintain Reptiles In Purpose-Made Vivaria

Housing your reptile correctly is critically important. By keeping them in purpose-made vivaria, you can be sure there are no rough edges to harm them, or to make cleaning out difficult. Plus, there are no means of escape!

Think about whether you’d like a vivarium made from glass, melamine or plastic. They all have various advantages and disadvantages, so choose the best for you.

2. Consider The Associated Foodstuffs

You’ll need a separate area in your freezer for frozen mice, and if you have a lizard (not all but most) you’ll need to look after live insects too. Make sure crickets and locusts are kept in a purpose designed plastic tank and fed correctly to ensure they are ‘gut loaded’. This means that added vitamins and minerals can be eaten via the insect’s stomach contents!

One bonus to using a purpose made livefood tank is that you don’t need to handle the insects. They have an ingenious hiding tube that enables you to move them from the tank into the vivarium! Plus, you’ll save money by looking after your livefood correctly because they won’t die quickly!

3. Don’t Handle Newly Acclimatising Reptiles Too Often

This is especially important for baby snakes and lizards. Handling too often can cause them to become stressed, stop feeding and ultimately become ill. For the first week, handling should be limited to once or twice for five minutes, with a gradual increase over the following weeks.

After handling, clean your hands with a good quality anti-bacterial soap, as like all animals, reptiles have been known to carry Salmonella. Likewise, don’t kiss your reptile!

4. Take Advice From The Experts…

…and not from a local ‘expert bedroom breeder’. For example, the correct heating and lighting is critical, and this kind of knowledge can only be gathered from years of contact with thousands of reptile keepers. Did you know that a heat mat is perfect for a Leopard Gecko, but detrimental to a Tortoise’s health? We do, because we have the experience to back up our knowledge.

Coast to Coast Exotics is one of the UK’s finest and oldest exotic animal stores, and has been providing excellence in their field for the last three decades. It is owned by Kevin Stevens, well known herpetologist who sits on the committee of the IHS, FBH and REPTA – the three main organisations involved in the reptile hobby and industry.

Find Coast To Coast at 122-124 North Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 2EJ. Call on 01325 283 756, or email info@coasttocoast.co.uk.

Durham Pilates Instructor’s Inspiring Road To Recovery

By on 5th October 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

Denise Ord is channelling her vibrant and positive mission into ‘CanDoPilates’, her
new business venture in Carrville, Durham.

A year ago, Denise was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Following a brief period of illness, she underwent surgery to have it removed, and believes that her swift post-operative recovery and rehabilitation is largely down to the practice of Pilates.

A qualified instructor since 2012, she firmly believes that Pilates can be practiced by anyone, regardless of age, gender or physical ability. Denise wants her journey to inspire those who believe that they are incapable of physical achievement due to health issues or injury.

“It strengthens core muscles and helps to protect the spine,” she says. “Anyone with health issues can do these exercises. If I can do it, anyone can.”

“As I lay in hospital recovering from the operation, I was determined to do everything I could to get back to full health. I couldn’t do anything for the first few months, but as soon as I was told by doctors that I could exercise, I drew up a plan to get fit through Pilates and Yoga. I’ve practised Pilates for over ten years, and knew it would be key to my recovery”.

Pilates can help to improve posture, muscle tone, balance and joint mobility. It increases flexibility, and relieves stress and tension. Many GPs, physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths recommend Pilates to patients requiring support in their rehabilitation, or to improve posture and body alignment.

Denise says that the beauty of Pilates is that it can be individually tailored to wherever you are in your health and exercise journey. It is relevant to all ages, and is becoming more and more popular with both men and women.

 

Her CanDoPilates studio offers a range of Pilates, Yoga, stretch, tone, and relaxation classes to suit each client’s individual preference.

Group classes are run for those wanting to work out with others and benefit from the social aspect of working together. To make sure each client receives individual attention, the group sizes are kept to a maximum of eight. Clients wanting an exercise plan tailored to suit their own needs and fitness level can benefit from private one-to-one sessions.

The studio can be found on Front Street, Carrville, Durham, and Denise also runs classes from Framwellgate Moor (FWG) Community Centre on Friday mornings. She says, “When you join us, you will receive an individual assessment which provides a pilates health plan for you to follow, either in a class, one-to-one session at the studio, or at your home”.

To contact CanDoPilates, you can call 07939 538044, email denise.candopilates@gmail.com, or visit www.candopilates.com.

5 Animals You Need At Your Kids Party

By on 3rd October 2015in Local Biz, Uncategorised, What's New?

Keeping guests at a kids party entertained is never an easy task, but Pet Parties North East are making it a lot simpler…

At Pet Parties North East, and we bring a host of mammals, insects, and reptiles to parties and events. Our animals range from scorpions to bunnies, and mice to snakes.

Wondering which animals will always go down a treat at your kids party? Here are our top five…

1. Chameleon

The Chameleon’s colour changes with its environment and mood, and is renowned for its beauty. Its tongue is the length of its body, and its can look forwards and backwards… at the same time!

2. Tarantula

Love them or hate them, spiders are always a talking point when they turn up at an event. Funnily enough, we find it’s usually the three year old girls who like to hold them, and the six foot blokes who run from the room screaming!

3. Rat

Rats get a bad press, but they make great pets. Each one has its own personality, and you can even teach them their names and a few tricks. Did you know that they’re cleaner than household cats?

4. Frog

 

I’ve yet to see a frog turn into a prince, but our White Tree Frog always goes down a storm at parties. He’s called Squidge, and is usually to be found hopping from hand to hand. 

5. Millipede

Ours is of the Giant African variety, and hundreds of little legs running up your arm is certainly an experience you’ll remember. Don’t be scared, though; these creatures are as friendly as they are placid.

Interested in booking Pet Parties for you next party or event? You can visit their website, or email them at petpartiesnortheast@hotmail.com.

You can also pop in to see them on Saturday 17th October, and stay for a cuppa at their Macmillan Coffee Morning, taking place at Middlestone Moor WMC!

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