Aycliffe Today Business Aycliffe Today Business Issue 42 | Page 3

The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 3 INCLUDED IN THE OCTOBER- NOVEMBER ISSUE OF AYCLIFFE TODAY BUSINESS… WELCOME FOREWORD: from Martin Walker A /15 FORGING AHEAD Welcome to the 42nd issue of Aycliffe Today Business s we approach our seventh anniversary, it gives me great pleasure to bring you the 42nd issue of the magazine for Aycliffe Business Park. It’s hard to imagine it’s been 84 months and 42 issues since we launched in November 2012. We’ve featured dozens of companies from across the park since that first 16- page production hit the business park boardrooms. We’ve included a small review of the last seven years – including a look back on some of our front covers over the years – on page 27. The cover star for this issue is, arguably, our most famous to date, not least for her role on the TV programme Dragons’ Den. We’re grateful Sara Davies afforded us some of her precious time to do the feature, when (due to her hectic schedule) she hasn’t been able to accommodate all media requests. You can read our exclusive interview with Sara on pages 18-19. Aycliffe Business Park continues its good form as a hub of activity for businesses, with more new ventures popping up as well as different retail and leisure offerings – some well-known, some not so. Anyone who enjoys axe-throwing in their spare time (I gave it up years ago) can find out about a new centre offering that service with a brand new facility on the business park (see page 9). You could always take a poster of your boss along for practice? Meanwhile, for the pasty lovers out there – or the vegan sausage roll buffs among us – there’s a new Greggs outlet (see page 5). Some of the high-profile businesses continue to boom, of course, and we can read about the ongoing developments of GT Coatings, Stiller Warehousing and Distribution, Tekmar, Roman, BTS Facades and Fabrications, Finley Structures and CPI in this edition. And if you want to find out who once won a fancy dress competition dressed as Freddie Mercury – see our Coffee Break feature on pages 32-33! We hope you enjoy this edition – we’ll be back soon with issue #43. Two firms team up to launch an innovative new product /18-19 SUCCESS WITH A SMILE Exclusive: Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies talks to Aycliffe Today Business /21 FINLEY STRUCTURES Office block adds metal to Feethams development Martin Walker Editor, Aycliffe Today Business. Aycliffe Today AYCLIFFE TODAY BUSINESS Aycliffe Today 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. The magazine for Aycliffe k | ISSUE 40: MAY-JUNE Business. Aycliffe Today Business Park 2019 aycliffetoday.co.uk | [email protected] COMPLIMENTARY The magazine for Aycliffe Business aycliffetoday.co.uk | martin@aycliffetoda y.co.uk | ISSUE 41: JULY-AUGUST WAKE-UP CALL Businesses take ‘leap of faith’ during unusual networking event… BRIGHT SPARKS Little gems win entrepreneur competition with jewellery idea… TOP THAT We meet Aycliffe Business newest creative agency… Park’s /24-25 LONG-TERM VISION Park COMPLIMENTARY 2019 15.6-metre trailers part of Stiller’s £380k investment SENSITIVE SOUL The personal reasons why Aycliffe Business Park entrepreneur John Finley created a sensory room for children with autism… new ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: SARA DAVIES We hear from the Dragon’s Den star… JOINING THE DOTS Aycliffe Optimum Skills is helping heights… joinery firm reach new COFFEE BREAK Brian Archer Business Durham boss over a cuppa… answers our 20 questions ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: WALK IN THE PARK New hotel part of £140m business park plans approved by councillors DEAD CERT Publishing company proving print hasn’t had its day A WORTHY CAUSE Welfare officer provides vital support for young apprentices 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. Our next issue will be out in December – to get involved in the next or any future issues, email [email protected]. /31 WEAR BUSINESS Publishers team up to launch new business publication Aycliffe Today Business | www.aycliffetoday.co.uk Units 8-9, Parson’s Court, Welbury Way, Aycliffe Business Park, Newton Aycliffe, Co. Durham DL5 6ZE Published & distributed by: Mantis Media Ltd, www.mantis-media.com Editor: Martin Walker | Tel: [phone] | Mobile: [phone] Email: [email protected] Designed by KINSHIP: Call 07846186220 | Email [email protected] Contributors to this issue: Martin Walker, Paul Carbert, Sarah Burns. Photography: Chris Both (including cover), Martin Walker. /32-33 COFFEE BREAK Lemon Top Creative boss Steve Gill