The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 23
Businesses get the legal lowdown
More than 30 people gathered for a useful employment law seminar , hosted by Aycliffe law firm Greystone Legal at The Work Place on Aycliffe Business Park .
The short seminar , which included free breakfast , included guidance on employment references , when and what to provide in a reference and what are the potential pitfalls for employers .
There was also important information about recent changes in holiday pay , as well as many other useful employment law updates and some amusing legal anecdotes .
Greystone director Paul Humble said : “ It was good to see so many local businesses attending , both from the business park and further afield .
“ The format seemed to work well for everyone since it allowed time for networking as well as delivering the seminar .
“ We were pleased to receive positive feedback from the attendees and we have plans to provide further seminars in the New Year using a similar format .”
Nancy Radford , a mediator and conflict management coach who attended the event , added : “ The presentation gave useful information in an engaging way , and Greystone ’ s legal expertise really came across .
“ So many of these seminars use scare tactics or spend a lot of time saying how wonderful the law firm is , which is usually counterproductive .
“ But I spoke to several others after the presentation and they all concurred that it
was so much better than the usual fare – and there was also a good mix of networking and information .”
Greystone Legal can provide advice , assistance and representation on the full range of employment law issues , including disciplinary and dismissal procedures , grievance procedures , performance management , managing long-term illness and capability , redundancy and restructures as well as business sales and transfers .
If you wish to discuss any employment law issues you can contact Greystone Legal on 01325 787007 or email paul . humble @ greystone . legal
Hundreds flock to Aycliffe for 10th Oktoberfest
Hundreds of businesses are following up leads after the tenth Durham Oktoberfest , held on Aycliffe Business Park .
The engineering and manufcturing expo attracted record exhibitors and foot fall as companies large and small aimed to meet new contacts and potential customers .
The event was opened by County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network ( CDEMN ) Chairman David Land and Phil Wilson MP .
Land said : “ We went all out to make to make the tenth Oktoberfest the best yet , both in terms of numbers and the event line up , and I think we certainly achieved that .
“ Feedback from exhibitors and attendees has been fantastic and we know many of them have forged new links with companies that they will be following up which we hope will lead to contracts being signed . That ’ s what Oktoberfest is all about .
“ The addition of the Incubator Zone proved particularly popular and we ’ re confident many of those involved for the first time will return next year as filly-fledged exhibitors .”
The Incubator Zone was a dedicated space for companies who have never before exhibited at Oktoberfest , and was delivered in partnership with LEC Communications and Design and the Durham Business Opportunities Programme with ERDF support . Twenty companies from across
Training expert Lee Childs answered questions during a debate which also involved Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson .
County Durham took part and all are now pursuing promising new leads which they hope to convert to new business .
Over lunchtime there was a panel debate looking at the challenges and opportunities around Brexit . Participants were David Land , Phil Wilson MP , Abi Broadley from Aquarius Rail , Lee Childs from Sora , Richard Hogg
from Jackson Hogg , Michael Smith from Tait Walker and Kevin Maloney from Muckle LLP .
The popular Education Zone with New College Durham , Hartlepool College of Further Education , South West Durham Training / Bishop Auckland College , Newcastle College Rail Academy and the University of Sunderland also returned .