Tag: small business

Boro Taxis Saves French Skiing Holiday

By on 9th March 2016in Local Biz

Boro Taxis came to the rescue to save the holiday of a woman who had left her passport 250 miles away by driving to London and back…

Christine Gordon, 27, had travelled up to her parents’ home in Osmotherley, North Yorkshire, from her home in London for a family skiing holiday in the French Alps.

She had journeyed from Kings Cross to Northallerton by train arriving at her parents’ home at 10pm on the evening before her flight.

Christine, a dentist, 27, explained: “I arrived at my parents’ quite late in the evening and it suddenly dawned on me that I couldn’t remember having packed my passport.

“I frantically emptied my bags and couldn’t see it anywhere. I called my boyfriend, who was back at my flat in London, and he saw that it had slipped down the side of the bed where I had been packing. I couldn’t believe it as I’m normally so organised.”

Christine and her family realised there were a few options; drive to London and back, arrange a courier collection, change Christine’s flight to the following day from London, or Christine could miss the holiday all together.

Christine added: “It was such a stressful start to the holiday as it was, without the thought of a mission back to London or missing the start of the holiday. Then my dad had a brainwave and wondered if Boro Taxis could do it.”

Her father Ian called Boro Taxis, one of the largest firms of its kind in the North East, and the company quickly accepted the job and dispatched a driver who travelled through the night to London and then back to Osmotherley.

Christine was reunited with her passport in time to catch her flight.

Christine said: “I was in a real state when I realised I had forgotten my passport. Boro Taxis didn’t just save the day, but saved my holiday thanks to its fabulous customer service.

“It’s great to know that there are firms able and willing to step in when people are in a crisis. I can’t thank Boro Taxis enough – the company and its driver were my saviours!”

Boro Taxis regularly is called upon to transport people from the region to destinations throughout the UK, but picking up and delivering a mislaid passport is among its more unusual bookings.

Mohammed Bashir, Boro Taxis founder, said: “We strive to meet the needs of our customers whatever their transport requirements.

“We’re proud that Christine’s father felt that Boro Taxis had the ability to come to the rescue. We are delighted that we were able to reunite Christine with her passport.”

SOL Announce Series Of Spring Offers

By on 8th March 2016in Local Biz

One of the North East’s leading venues is springing into action with a seasonal offer for corporate events…

SOL, the brand behind conferences and celebrations at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, has announced a limited availability day delegate rate for bookings made before the end of March.

The offer, valid for events involving more than 40 people, includes full day hire of any of the stadium’s purpose built function rooms, including the signature Montgomery Suite, capable of seating up to 1000 people.

It also incorporates food for a working lunch, use of a flipchart, LCD projector, conference stationery, welcome signage and three servings of tea and coffee throughout the day.

As with all SOL events at the Stadium of Light, those booking the special spring conference package will also benefit from a dedicated duty manager, housekeeping staff, ample free parking and complimentary WiFi access.

Gary Hutchinson, Commercial Director for SAFC, said: “The Stadium of Light has played host to a wide range of events over the past 20 years, including product launches, exhibitions and conferences for large multi-nationals.

“This spring offer is designed to reward our loyal customers and open our doors to companies who may not have used our facilities before.”

SOL’s spring conference offer at the Stadium of Light is priced at £20.16 per person and subject to availability.

It is one of a number of tailored packages being introduced by SOL to cater for specific sectors, including charity events and personal celebrations.

For more information, or to book, call 0871 911 1555, email conf&banq@safc.com or visit www.safc.com.

Further details about SoL, which also incorporates catering and events at the National Glass Centre, Sunderland and specialist subsidiary 1879 Events Management, can also be found by visiting www.1879events, calling 0871 911 1269, emailing info@1879events.com or following @1879Events on Twitter.

North East Housebuilder Collects Easter Eggs For Charity

By on 7th March 2016in In & Around

MILLER Homes North East is looking to bring smiles to the faces of disadvantaged and poorly children across the region with the launch of the Miller Homes Easter Egg Drop this March…

The leading housebuilder is collecting chocolate Easter eggs to donate to local children’s charities which will help to provide a special surprise to youngsters who may not otherwise receive a treat this Easter.

Easter egg donations from members of the public, as well as a donation from Miller Homes, will be shared between the Sunshine Fund in Newcastle, Action for Children in Bedlington and Home Start in Teesside, to be distributed to children who benefit from the services of these charities.

Donations of chocolate Easter eggs can be dropped off at any of Miller Homes’ sales centres in the North East until 5:30pm on Monday 21 March 2016.

Andrew Somerville, regional sales manager at Miller Homes North East, said: “We are committed to supporting the local communities which surround our developments and we’re excited to be launching the Miller Homes Easter Egg Drop in support of the Sunshine Fund, Action for Children and Home Start.

“To help our campaign, we’d very much appreciate if local members of the community would be so kind as to buy just one extra Easter egg which we will donate to these great causes, who do fantastic work in the North East.”

Easter egg donations can be dropped off at the sales centres at any of Miller Homes’ North East developments. Sales centres are open Mondays from 12:30pm to 5:30pm and Thursdays to Sundays from 10:30am to 5:30pm. All donations must be made by 5:30pm on Monday 21 March 2016.

With prices starting from £95,960, Miller Homes’ North East developments include Park View in Gateshead, Heritage Green in Backworth, The Acres in Bedlington, Wheatfields in Seaton Delaval, Portland Wynd in Blyth, The Meadows in Framwellgate Moor, Wheatlands Chase in Redcar, Acklam Woods in Acklam and Clairville Grange in Middlesbrough, and also coming soon, Scholars Gate, in Sunderland, in spring 2016.

For more information on Miller Homes and its North East developments call 0808 250 6426 or visit www.millerhomes.co.uk.

Award-Winning ‘Best Bar None’ Scheme Returns To Durham

By on 2nd March 2016in Local Biz

An award-winning initiative which aims to ‘raise the bar’ in Durham City’s pubs and clubs is back…

Best Bar None,  a national Home Office supported project delivered locally by Durham County Council and Durham Constabulary, is an accreditation scheme which seeks to drive up standards, encourage good practice and improve customer experience at bars, pubs and clubs.

The local initiative has won national praise and helped establishments increase their turnover and footfall, while also contributing to a drop in violence.

The scheme was set up in Durham City in 2008 and sees bars, pubs and club applying for accreditation on an annual basis.

At the end of each year, participants compete for much sought after awards.

The Durham project had early success when crowned the Most Innovative Best Bar None scheme in the UK, just a year after being established.

Participants last year reported an average 26.8 percent rise in turnover and 15 percent increase in footfall on 2014 figures, while crime data for Durham City for October 2015 showed a 9 percent drop in violence against people compared with before Best Bar None was introduced in 2008.

The Durham scheme was also Highly Commended in the Best Overall scheme category in the latest national Best Bar None awards.

Now back for its ninth year, there has been a rush of establishments signing up to take part, with 42 coming forward.

The 2016 scheme sees a number of changes on previous years.

The accreditation process will for the first time take place over the whole year via a combination of assessment on the premises with management and then three mystery shopping visits across the 12 months.

Also new for this year, licensees will be awarded either a gold, silver or bronze level of accreditation, with them needing to earn a score of at least 90% from their mystery shop to earn the top ranking.

Cllr Simon Henig, county council leader, said: “The Best Bar None Scheme has been extremely successful for everyone involved over the last eight years and receiving Highly Commended in the Best Overall Scheme in the UK recently demonstrates the high regard in which we are viewed nationally.

“But we haven’t rested on our laurels. We have made significant changes to the scheme this year and I would like to thank the trade for their continuous efforts to improve working practices for the enjoyment of all visitors to Durham City centre.”

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Mick McDonnell, national Best Bar None coordinator, said: “The Best Bar None scheme in Durham has in the past received national recognition and always been considered one of our flagship schemes.

“Best Bar None strives to raise operating standards in the pubs and clubs by working in partnership with the statutory authorities and the venues.

“Durham continually demonstrates that partnership working has a positive effect on the night-time economy and because crime is being reduced, footfall and trade are improving year on year. More people are going out at night, and spending more money. Having professionally run, safe venues clearly contributes to that success.

“The commitment by the trade and the support given by the council and the police to this scheme offers much to celebrate, and long may it continue.”

Graeme Draper, manager of The Half Moon Inn which scooped an impressive double in last year’s local awards, said: “The Half Moon team are still beaming with pride after being awarded ‘Overall Winner’ and ‘Best Pub’ in the 2015 awards.

“The team work hard to ensure we operate legally and safely, following policies put in place to maintain these standards.

“In addition to these efforts, we work closely with the council and licensing authorities, to maintain our standing as a traditional English pub that has stayed true to its roots and with a long standing family history and real pub atmosphere.

“We are proud to help make Durham a great place to visit.”

The values of the Best Bar None scheme also support the wider work of Durham’s City Safety Group.

Newcastle Bar Introduces Menu For Doggy Visitors

By on 2nd March 2016in Local Biz

An award winning Newcastle bar has created a special menu for its four legged clients – which even includes a doggy beer…

City Tavern on Northumberland Road is renowned for being dog friendly, and has come up with a menu of dog treats to complement the food offering that is available to its human visitors.

Dogs can enjoy a range of biscuits, flavoured with everything from Scottish salmon to country game, venison chews, and fruit and vegetable flavoured snacks.

And there’s also the option to wash it down with a pint of Belgian Snuffles Dog Beer, which is non-alcoholic and made with beef and chicken, along with malt barley extracts, minerals and vitamins.

Bar owner David King is a dog lover, and his own pooches – three Irish terriers – also have pride of place at the bar.

David said: “We have three ales which have been specially created for us, and one of our dogs, Dillon, appears on one of the logos.

“We’ve also named our Hector’s Cloudy House cider after another one of our dogs.”

The rareness of Irish terriers means that other Irish Terrier owners have also travelled from far and wide to see David’s dogs.

He said: “We’ve had people ring up to check if the dogs are in, as they want to come especially to see them.

“But of course, we welcome any breed, and we find people really appreciate a city centre pub where dogs are also valuable customers.”

City Tavern, widely recognised for its Tudor style façade, was taken over by Mr King early in 2014, and then enjoyed a £450k refurbishment to create a state-of-the-art bar, while still retaining the venue’s historic features.

North East Solicitor Backs Calls For Funeral Payment Reforms

By on 1st March 2016in Local Biz

A North East solicitor has backed calls for grants towards funeral costs to be increased for low income families, as the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee hears evidence on the matter…

Andrew Simpson, Lead Panel Solicitor with Seaham-based Ensure Inheritance, supports a reform of the present system of the Department for Work and Pensions’ Funeral Payments scheme which provides help to anyone on a low income. He has added his voice to calls from funeral directors for the system to change.

Mr Simpson says: “The Funeral Payments scheme is simply ineffective at present. Applicants are not told how much they will get until after the burial or cremation, and often the money is not enough to cover the deposit of a funeral.

“The average grant is £1,375 towards individual burial and cremation costs, plus up to £700 for further expenses. But a basic burial costs at least £3,000, providing worry and money problems for low income families.”

According to Mr Simpson, many older people on pensions can struggle to meet the costs of a funeral, which is becoming more expensive.

He says: “The average cost of a basic funeral has increased by 65% in the last eight years, particularly as the prices for cremation services and burial plots charged by local authorities have gone up, making it even more expensive to give a loved one a proper send off. One way around this is to plan for funeral costs in advance through a pre-paid funeral plan or to make regular payments into a savings account.

“People generally do not like to think about their funeral and how their life will be celebrated, but taking time and trouble to do this, and paying for their funeral in advance can remove money worries and bring peace of mind to them and to their loved ones,” says Mr Simpson.

As part of its estate planning service, Ensure Inheritance provides advice on pre-paid funeral plans. They can be contacted on 0191 338 5143, via email at info@ensureinheritance.co.uk or via www.ensureinheritance.co.uk.

Based in Seaham in County Durham, Ensure Inheritance provides a range of legal and financial planning services which help protect financial assets to provide their clients and their loved ones with peace of mind. Services include long term care planning, funeral planning, will and estate planning, inheritance tax planning, powers of attorney, court of protection deputyships, and probate.

Lumley Castle Appoint New Director Of Sales

By on 29th February 2016in Local Biz

A former Barclays business leader has been appointed Director of Sales at a top North East hotel…

Tina Lowes, from Sunderland, who worked at director level for the bank as head of premier and small business for the North East, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, has joined the team at Lumley Castle Hotel, Chester-le-Street.

In her new role, Tina will be tasked with introducing the historic four-star venue to a wider corporate and leisure audience.

As well as consolidating the hotel’s reputation as one of the region’s favourite wedding and event venues, she will aim to raise its profile within the business community both regionally and nationally.

“Lumley Castle Hotel is not only magnificent; it’s unique,” said Tina, who has also just completed a six-month contract as Director of Partnerships and Commercial Development at Tyne Metropolitan College.

“With spectacular state rooms, opulent bedrooms and, of course, its renowned Black Knight restaurant, there really is nowhere else like it, and increasingly corporate clients are looking for places which offer something a little bit different.

“Lumley Castle is fast becoming a key venue for meetings, conferences, private lunches and large scale events and I shall hope to build on that.”

Christine Gott, General Manager at Lumley Castle Hotel, said: “Tina has a strong business background, along with great energy and enthusiasm, and we are delighted to welcome her to our team.”

For more information, call 0191 389 1111 or visit www.lumleycastle.com.

Award-Winning North East Bar And Distiller Join Forces

By on 29th February 2016in Lifestyle

Two of the biggest names in North East gin are joining forces to offer discerning drinkers even more choice…

Newcastle bar City Tavern, which currently stocks more than 80 gins from around the world, will now be serving spirits from Sunderland-based Poetic License.

The independent small batch distiller, established by entrepreneur Mark Hird, currently crafts two award-winning gins and a vodka using its own still at the Roker Hotel.

From this week, City Tavern, based at Northumberland Road, will be stocking the brand’s Northern Dry Gin and Old Tom Gin, which are both carefully crafted to be enjoyed as a stand-alone drink or as part of a cocktail.

David King, Owner of City Tavern said: “We pride ourselves on offering visitors a wide range of popular and unfamiliar drinks, including several that are brewed exclusively for City Tavern.

“Poetic License’s artisanal processes and unique flavours fit well with this philosophy, and I’m sure they will make an excellent addition to our collection.”

City Tavern, which benefitted from a £450k investment by Mr King in 2015, is the latest high profile venue to begin stocking products from Poetic License, which has only been operating for around four months.

While the brand’s handmade approach limits production to around 400 bottles per week, all three of its core products can already be found in a wide range of bars, restaurants and hotels around the region, as well as leading stores Fenwick, Newcastle and Lewis and Cooper Ltd, Northallerton.

“We’re absolutely thrilled with how well Poetic License has been received and what we have been able to achieve in a relatively short space of time,” said Poetic License’s owner Mark Hird.

“The staff and customers at City Tavern really know their gin, and we’re delighted that both our Northern Dry Gin and Old Tom Gin meet their strict selection standards.

“Our focus now is on targeting more state-of-the-art bars like this and extending our distribution on a national scale.”

For more information about City Tavern, visit www.citytavern.co.uk and for Poetic License log on to www.poeticlicensedistillery.co.uk. All trade sales enquiries for the distillery should be directed to Luke Smith on 0191 5103564 or luke@poeticlicensedistillery.co.uk.

Prototype Firm Enjoys Success Following Extensive Workforce Training

By on 28th February 2016in Local Biz

A prototype specialist is embarking on the next phase of its expansion by putting its entire workforce through an extensive training programme…

Paragon Rapid Technologies recently completed a two-year growth plan which saw turnover rise from £2.8m to £4.1m, and staff numbers from 35 to 53. During that period, the Durham Tees Valley Airport-based firm recruited a new senior management team, made a six-figure investment in new equipment, and streamlined operations to make the business more efficient.

Now the company, which makes rapid prototypes and components for the automotive, motorsport and medical sectors, has kick-started an 18-month programme to upskill all of its employees with the help of Peterlee-based KF Training.

All 53 staff will benefit from the training, which will cover strategic management and leadership, sales and marketing, business improvement techniques, and store and warehouse management. It is hoped the skills boost will trigger further growth at Paragon, which is aiming to ramp up turnover to £7m by 2018.

Paragon General Manager Ian Jobling, who will undergo leadership and management training, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with KF Training on this exciting project. As a company we’ve expanded rapidly in recent years, but to achieve the next phase of our growth plan we have to improve the skills base of our business.

“This training scheme will allow us to do that, and if we meet our turnover projections, we’ll be able to create more jobs at Paragon.”

Sara O’Brien, Commercial Director at KF Training, said: “We work with fast-growth companies that require extra skills to help them become more competitive. We are finding that many of our clients, including Paragon, are asking for leadership and management training to help improve the performance of their staff.

“It’s great to be working with Paragon and playing a key role in its expansion plans.”

KF Training delivers business-focused skills programmes and consultancy services across the North of England.  Headquartered in Peterlee, County Durham, the fast-growing business was launched in 2011 by managing director Kelly Lee and now employs 52 people. With four specialist training divisions covering innovation, leadership and management, continuous improvement and business skills, KF Training has helped dozens of clients build strong, dynamic businesses and develop a highly skilled workforce.

For further information about KF Training, visit www.kftraining.co.uk, call 0191 518 6830, or e-mail info@kftraining.co.uk.

For further information about Paragon Rapid Technologies, visit www.paragon-rt.com or e-mail info@paragon-rt.com.

Lawson To Perform At Sunderland Style Awards

By on 27th February 2016in Entertainment

One of the UK’s most exciting pop rock bands will be heading to Sunderland to appear at a major awards event…

Lawson, whose hits include Taking Over Me, Juliet and When She Was Mine, are to headline at the city’s Retail and Style Awards, which will take place at the Bridges shopping centre on April 23rd.

The event, organised by Sun FM and the Bridges, and supported by Sunderland BID, will celebrate the city’s top businesses and individuals across sixteen categories. The appearance by the band is part of a full evening of entertainment, which includes a three course dinner, fashion show and the awards ceremonies.

Plus, there is still time for nominations for the awards to be made before the closing date on February 29th.

“It’s a massive coup for us to get a band with the status of Lawson at our awards, and shows what progress the city is making,” said Julian Carter, MD of Sun FM.

“It will make what already promises to be a fantastic night even more spectacular.”

Other acts are already lined up to appear at the event, with further announcements to be made in the near future. Tickets are on sale for the night at £39, and are available from customer service at the Bridges, from the reception at Sun FM and via Eventbrite.

Andy Brown, lead singer of Lawson, said: “When we played the Stadium of Light a couple of summers ago, it was one of those gigs you never forget, and we can’t wait to come back to Sunderland to perform at the Retail and Style Awards.”

Ken Dunbar, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID and the main sponsors for the awards, said attracting a top band to appear showed the calibre of these awards.

He said: “The appearance by Lawson won’t just add another dimension to the night, but it will also turn the spotlight on Sunderland to a national audience, and showcase what an exciting and dynamic city it is.”

This the first year that the city’s Retail and Style Awards have joined forces, with businesses and individuals able to enter in a range of categories. Nominations are still being accepted via the Sun FM website at www.sun-fm.com/rsawards2016.

Categories in the retail section include awards for large, medium and small retailers, best customer service, employee of the year, manager of the year, up and coming business, and the Experience It Here award for the best city centre experience.

In the style section, nominations are being sought for the Most Stylish Mackem, along with sections for top bars, restaurants, salons and individual awards for top bloggers and the city’s most glamorous mam.

“We’ve already seen a fantastic number of entries for the awards, which is what we would expect given the excellent year 2015 was for the retail sector,” said Andy Bradley, Centre Director at the Bridges.

“And now, with an amazing band providing the entertainment on the night, it will be a memorable evening for a whole host of reasons.”

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