Aycliffe Today Business Aycliffe Today Business issue 32 | Page 6

6 | Aycliffe Today Business BOOK NOW FOR GROWTH WORKSHOPS The Durham Business Opportunities Programme, in partnership with Aycliffe Business Park Community, is delivering a programme of business growth workshops during 2018 exclusively for SMEs based on Aycliffe Business Park. The growth workshops have been developed to meet the needs of growing businesses on the park, which were identified by the recent Aycliffe Business Park survey, and will provide tailored business support delivered by experts. The survey was carried out by the Durham Business Opportunities Programme (DBOP), a three-year programme for SMEs which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivered by Business Durham. It’s aimed at engaging with businesses that haven’t previously engaged and taken up business support services. We’ve designed the new series of workshops for Aycliffe to be specifically focused around business growth, as a result of our recent survey. Ultimately we want to help businesses in County Durham grow, by linking them with tangible opportunities, which could be a new contract, a new supplier or perhaps some investment. Our aim is to simplify and help increase take up of regional and national business support if appropriate to the business and the team will also offer intensive follow on support through the procurement of a number of strands of expertise tailored to a business. This exclusive programme has limited places and booking early is highly recommended. For more information and how to get involved, you can contact me by email at [email protected] or give me a call on 01207 291 268. We look forward to hearing from you! Lisa Wall Business engagement officer, Business Durham Durham Business Opportunities Programme (DBOP) £4m Digital Durham drive to help businesses A £4m programme will help small businesses in County Durham thrive in a digital world by gaining a competitive edge and maximising their growth. Digital Drive County Durham, the first of its kind in the county, will also help companies become more resilient and improve their productivity by providing funding and practical support to help them make better use of digital technology. Business Durham, the economic development organisation for County Durham, has appointed business services company BE Group to deliver the three- year programme and companies are being encouraged to register their interest now. Sarah Slaven (pictured), business development director of Business Durham, said: “A great deal is being invested in the infrastructure at the moment, providing super-speed fibre broadband to businesses and residents across the county. Companies need to exploit this connectivity to its full potential and that’s where Digital Drive County Durham comes in. “With its vast experience and reputation, BE Group will work with businesses throughout County Durham to help them make the most of digital technology in order to succeed and grow. It’s a fantastic opportunity which has not been available in the county before.” The support given by BE Group to eligible companies will include digital health checks, practical workshops, one-to-one assistance and funding towards equipment, consultancy or broadband projects. Nicki Clark, chief executive of Seaham- based BE Group, said: “We’re really excited about this project. It has huge potential to make a tremendous and long-term difference to businesses in the area. “Durham is working hard to put the infrastructure in place so businesses have great connectivity but that’s only part of the solution. It’s proven that businesses that use digital technology are more efficient and more resilient which can only be a good thing.” Digital Drive County Durham is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Business Durham, which works on behalf of Durham County Council, and private investment, and forms part of the wider Digital Durham initiative to transform broadband speeds for residents and business across the North East. To find out more about the programme, email info@digitaldrivedurham or visit digitaldrivedurham.co.uk Council invests almost £1m in small businesses A children’s clothing store has become the 150th venture in the last five years to benefit from a scheme set up to support small businesses in County Durham. Since 2012, Durham County Council has awarded almost £1m to independent businesses and retailers through its Targeted Business Improvement scheme, helping create 34 new enterprises and 199 new jobs. The scheme aims to support businesses, bring derelict or underused retail space back into use and encourage business growth by offering funding and advice. The latest business to benefit is children’s designer clothing store Minni & Me, which has been trading in Chester-le-Street for six months. Co-owner Angela Clennell approached the council for help with digital marketing and customer service training for herself and her staff. She was also interested in redesigning the shop’s exterior to create a more appealing and accessible entrance. The council is now working with Angela, her landlord and the shop’s staff to provide marketing and customer service training and progress with work to the shopfront. The Targeted Business Improvement scheme is open to businesses operating in a number of locations across County Durham. For more information, contact the economic development team on 03000 267 967, email [email protected] or visit www.durham. gov.uk/helpwithbusinessfunding