I
’ m thrilled , as an Aycliffe lad , to provide the guest foreword for this fantastic publication . As many who know me across the business park , I ’ m hugely passionate about Newton Aycliffe .
I went to school on the town , I was brought up here and I ’ ve had a variety of roles in and around Aycliffe over the years .
We ’ re super proud to have a vibrant office at the heart of the business park on Durham Way South , and we love working , meeting and socialising with our neighbours . The kettle is always on .
I ’ m a massive advocate of promoting the Aycliffe Business community , with so many inspirational leaders and businesses on the park . You don ’ t have to look far to find a great story .
I ’ ve recently joined the Aycliffe Business Park Community board , which has opened my eyes to the amount of voluntary work the board members have been doing for almost 10 years .
I ’ m relishing being involved and , after a few changes , which you ’ ll read more about in the coming months , I ’ m looking forward to seeing where we can take the ABPC initiative and our regular events .
HELLO
GUEST FOREWORD FROM IAN PROCTOR
Welcome to the 64th issue of Aycliffe Business .
We all have a stake in the success of the business park and my door is always open to discuss how we can make things even better .
I can ’ t stress highly enough the value of getting involved with the Aycliffe Business Park networking events , whether it ’ s simply to meet up with your neighbours every other month , or to make new contacts . In some cases , you may even win new business !
We at Digital Edge continue to work with companies locally , but we have found a real niche in website design where we are exporting our services right across the world .
We ’ re ambitious and we ’ re excited at what the future holds .
And , as always , we ’ re super excited about the future prospects of Aycliffe Business Park .
The Aycliffe Business magazine has always been a mainstay for the reading digest in our office and we always look forward to it being pushed through the letterbox .
I hope to see you at an ABPC news and networking event soon – and I hope you enjoy reading the latest issue of Aycliffe Business .
Ian Proctor Director , Digital Edge
CONTENTS
Included in the 64th issue of Aycliffe Business …
5 JOHN WADE SOLD
Hull-based Ashcourt Group acquires Aycliffe firm
12 GETTING TO KNOW YOU
BTS Fabrications boss Phil Atkinson asnwers our 20 questions over a cuppa
14 TO BOLDLY GLOW
Major investment gives Glow venue a new lease of life
18 PRIME LOCATION
Developers plan exciting new 80,000 sq ft units for Aycliffe Business Park
AYCLIFFE BUSINESS
Aycliffe Business is Newton Aycliffe ’ s only business publication , which is mailed exclusively to companies on Aycliffe Business Park .
Launched in November 2012 , we provide firms with a unique platform to tell everyone about their services and success stories in our prestigious , high-quality publication .
With an estimated readership of more than 8,000 , copies are mailed direct to every company on our database , and the rest are distributed by hand across the park as well as nearby hotels , restaurants and conference centres .
To book space in future issues of Aycliffe Business , email martin @ aycliffetoday . co . uk .
Aycliffe Business Units 8-9 , Parson ’ s Court , Welbury Way , Aycliffe Business Park , Newton Aycliffe , Co . Durham DL5 6ZE
www . aycliffetoday . co . uk
Published & distributed by Mantis Media Ltd : www . mantis-media . com
Tel : 01325 728024 Email : martin @ aycliffetoday . co . uk Director / editor : Martin Walker .
Contributors to this issue : Ian Proctor , Peter Barron , Sarah Walker , Kat Howe ,
Our photographers : Chris Booth , Tom Banks .
Designed by KINSHIP : Call 07846186220 Email sarah @ designbykinship . co . uk .
22 FAMILY VALUES
Ramsey ’ s still going strong as it celebrates 30 years in business
27 EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIPS
Former city high-flyer is loving life back in the North-East
32 INSPIRATIONAL !
New event reveals Teesside ’ s most inspiring business leader
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 3