Bringing Aycliffe Business Park Together | 17
Reilly and Holly,
baristas at
Jackson’s coffee
shop in the Xcel
Centre
COFFEE SHOP FULL OF NEW BEANS
There’s a new scent of coffee in
the air at Aycliffe Business Park’s
only boutique coffee shop.
Jackson’s, situated within the Xcel Centre, has
made the bold move to switch its providers of
coffee from Starbucks to exciting Dutch brand
Pelican Rouge.
For those not in the know, Pelican Rouge is a
fast-growing Dutch brand seen more in city
centre coffee shops, including Newcastle.
Xcel Centre manager Kerina Clark says their
decision to move brand was taken after much
deliberation. Coffee-tasting can take hours if
done properly.
“When we set out four years ago, places like
Starbucks and Costa Coffee were few and far
between, so it was an attraction to come to the
Xcel Centre, says Kerina.
”
“But now you can get a Costa coffee just about
anywhere, and we want to maintain the unique
edge we’ve always had by offering something
different, almost exclusive.
“Culture has also changed over the years.
People’s tastes have changed and it isn’t just a
straight-forward tea or coffee. The choices are
endless.
“But at the end of the day, the feedback we
get from customers is that they care about
the quality of the coffee more than they do the
brand.
Kerina says they considered many different
brands before eventually plumping for Pelican
Rouge.
She added: “For people who don’t care so
much about the brand of coffee, you might not
notice a huge difference, but for the coffee
connoisseurs out there, this is a real treat.
“We’re coming up to our fourth birthday and
we want to maintain our reputation for being
different, and offering top quality coffee.
“We average about 1,000 people walk through
the doors every week at Jackson’s, and we also
have loyal clientele – we’re very confident that
they will love the new coffee.
”
“We want to maintain a superior quality while
still offering a wide range of coffees.
”
Business masterclasses
on offer with Teesside
University
By Sarah Burns
Aycliffe Business Park residents are being
encouraged to take advantage of masterclasses
devised to increase business capability and
management.
Companies are often warned ‘never become
complacent’ and, with this in mind, Teesside
University have introduced masterclasses to
ensure the revitalisation of any company.
Masterclasses have been created to evaluate
and improve skills at various stages of
management, leadership, executive, marketing
and finance, which should deter you and/or your
business from staying in a complacent frame
of mind.
Teesside University’s corporate programmes manager, Dr Amy Smith, has told Aycliffe Today Business
about new business masterclasses on offer to local firms
The masterclasses, organised by Dr Amy
Smith, the university’s corporate programmes
manager, should help you and your organisation
develop business capability and enhance key
areas of business management, with various,
specific benefits which include:
Teesside University’s masterclasses are
designed to do just this, with a typical session
beginning with group work surrounding
expectations and experiences, followed by:
• Grow a business focused workforce from
new recruits to executive level
• Encourage intra and inter business
discussion and problem solving
• Develop new contacts and networks
• Stimulate broader supply chain interaction
and understanding
Dr Smith said: “The masterclasses are proven,
within both public and private sector, to supply
delegates with tools and skills to enable them
to be as efficient and effective in their role, upon
return to the office they accept the challenge
to initiate necessary action which improves the
capability of the company.
”
• An exploration of the session’s subject
from an academic and practical perspective
through numerous methods including,
presentations and project work.
• After topic exploration the class share
experience’s to date and undergo a
work-based project area investigating
opportunities to improve practice in the
workplace, leaving the class with a clear
action plan for taking what they’ve learnt into
the company.
• Consolidation sessions follow to ensure that
current live issues and measurable business
action is taken across your organisation.
Support, in the shape of profiling, coaching and
the above mentioned consolidation sessions,
is offered to all delegates. The masterclass
fee includes course materials, lunch and
refreshments.
Masterclasses are delivered at Teesside
University, but bespoke additional sessions can
be d