Bringing Aycliffe Business Park Together | 3
Hi and welcome to the fifth issue of Aycliffe Today Business . It gives me great pleasure to write this foreword .
For those who don ’ t know me , I manage the Xcel Centre and have the privilege of being Chair of the Aycliffe Business Park ( ABP ) steering group .
We officially launched the Aycliffe Business Park group in January , and I ’ m extremely pleased with the way it ’ s panning out . It ’ s great to see the enthusiasm in people as the word has spread around the park .
So far this year we have hosted six events and we ’ re getting some great feedback from people who are finding it hugely beneficial to just get to know their neighbours and , in some cases , do business with one another .
It has reaffirmed to us what we thought was a good idea , is actually a great idea !
People are genuinely keen to be involved , which is so encouraging as there are no individual agendas here , but an overall interest in seeing the park improve and businesses succeed . The idea is that we all pitch in to make the park a better place , to
WELCOME
FOREWORD By Kerina Clark
AYCLIFFE TODAY BUSINESS
improve us as a group , and that we would all benefit from that in the long-run .
We ’ ve been challenging businesses to think beyond themselves . There ’ s an old saying , when the tide comes into the harbour , all of the boats rise together . The profile of the park has been raised a lot recently with lots of new businesses coming to Aycliffe - not just Hitachi - and it ’ s important for us to have a reputation for businesses succeeding , and hopefully the group is helping in that way .
I also think the strength of the group is its diversity . There are businesses from all walks of industries which enables us to have a balanced view of what needs to be done .
We have an initial 12-month plan which we ’ re working towards , which was to establish the group and get as many businesses involved as possible and the early signs are hugely encouraging .
I ’ ve been impressed by coverage in the local media and this very magazine is also providing a fantastic platform for us all to communicate with each other .
I hope you enjoy this issue , and I look forward to seeing you at future ABP events .
Kerina Clark Manager , The Xcel Centre Chair , Aycliffe Business Park steering group
Aycliffe Today Business is Newton Aycliffe ’ s first and ONLY specific Business-to-Business magazine , distributed across Aycliffe Business Park .
We provide companies with a unique platform to tell everyone about their services in what is a classy , business-like magazine as well as a handy reference and marketing tool .
Our next issue will be out in September , and we ’ re taking orders for advertising now , so get in touch .
We ’ re also keen on carrying good editorial content , as well as advertisements .
Our trained journalists can write your copy , while our professional designers can help to put your ads together , so we can help you every step of the way .
Aycliffe Today Business … a quality magazine for a quality Business Park .
Aycliffe Today Business | www . aycliffetoday . co . uk
Produced by : Mantis Media , www . mantis-media . com Designed by : NEON , www . youareneon . co . uk Printed and distributed by : HPM Group , www . hpm . uk . com
Editor : Martin Walker | Tel : 01325 728024 | Mobile : 07826 525907 For editorial & advertising , email : martin @ aycliffetoday . co . uk
Contributors to this issue : Martin Walker , Kerina Clark , Gary Collinson , Paul Hargreaves Photography : Martin Walker
Included in the July-August issue of Aycliffe Today Business …
/ 03 WELCOME
Xcel Centre boss Kerina Clark pens our special guest foreword for this issue …
/ 04 NEWS
Merchant Place Developments boss Geoff Hunton guests Aycliffe Business Park meeting
Finley Structures turnover up 36 % to $ 15m
Plus , an exclusive guest column from Linden Group CEO Gary Collinson
/ 05 NEWS
Soccer Factory work set to start Football club appeal to firms
Plus , Hewitts Solicitors partner Paul Hargreaves gives some useful advice for employers
/ 06 NEWS SPECIAL FEATURE :
Business Durham chief Stewart Watkins talks about retirement
/ 07 NEWS
Probation Trust get to work on Aycliffe Business Park
/ 10 CITY SLICKERS
An innovative new education programme has finally landed in the UK , laying roots on Aycliffe Business Park
/ 13 NEWS
Where businesses Xcel in Newton Aycliffe …
/ 15 NEWS
Health and safety expert joins Aycliffe steel firm
Social Media seminar success
/ 17 COMPANY FOCUS
With talk to fire place experts Katell
CONTENTS
/ 18-19 BUSINESS DIRECTORY
A useful guide to who ’ s who on Aycliffe Business Park …
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