4 | Aycliffe Today Business
BUSINESS BRIEFS
NEW OWNERS AT CVO FIRE
A fireplace company that has won numerous awards for both design and its unique technology is burning even brighter thanks to a six-figure investment to support a management buyout.
The management team at CVO Fire, based on Aycliffe Business Park, is now headed by directors Paul Stocks and Michelle Bailey, who have both been with the company for a number of years.
CVO Fire, which also uses the brand name Spirit Fires, is now embarking on ambitious plans to grow its customer base, workforce and showroom network.
The buyout was part-funded by investment from UK Steel Enterprise, the Tata Steel business support-subsidiary’ s Equity Growth Scheme, backed by the government’ s Regional Growth Fund.
REDWORTH HALL SOLD IN £ 75M GROUP DEAL
Redworth Hall is under new ownership after being acquired as part of a £ 75m group deal.
Newcastle-based hotel and bar operator Cairn Group has snapped up five properties across the UK, including Redworth just outside Newton Aycliffe, for a combined total of £ 75m.
Believed to be the biggest hotel acquisition by a North East company this year, the business has also added The Old Ship Hotel in Brighton, The Angel Hotel in Cardiff, The Majestic Hotel in Harrogate and The Stirling Highland Hotel to its now 3,000-room portfolio.
CRAFTER’ S SMASH 100 STAFF MARK
Newton Aycliffe-based craft supplies company Crafter’ s Companion has now reached the 100-mark in staff numbers across its UK and US operations.
The fast-growing company, which is on track for a record year, has gone from strength to strength in 2016 opening two UK retail stores, including its flagship outlet on Aycliffe Business Park, and creating more than 40 new jobs in Newton Aycliffe and Chesterfield.
Crafter’ s Companion’ s US operations hugely expanded during the year after the company relocated its US office and warehouse Santa Ana, California.
MAKE YOUR MARK 2016
Entries are now being accepted for Aycliffe Business Park’ s annual business awards event on Wednesday March 1, with 11 categories up for grabs.
The deadline to enter is Monday February 20.
Enter online at www. aycliffeawards. co. uk
Tickets for the night also available, priced £ 29.95, at www. aycliffeawards. co. uk
Finley Structures employees( left to right) Andrew Workman, who has been promoted to estimating manager, new payroll administrator Crystal Moss-Henry, new site supervisor Neil Ryan and Diane Ruston, who has been promoted to commercial director.
Two new recruits and two promotions at Finley Structures
Two new members of staff have joined Aycliffe steel firm Finley Structures – while two have been promoted as the business continues to grow.
Neil Ryan has joined the family-run business as site supervisor and Crystal Moss-Henry has been appointed payroll administrator.
The new recruits have boosted Finley’ s staff numbers to 63, with the family’ s group of companies – including Finley Structures, SCH Site Services( 45) and the ROF 59 activity centre( 47) – now employing 155 people in total.
Neil, from Middlesbrough, has been in the steel industry for the past 19 years, progressing from steel erector to site foreman, and now site supervisor.
Crystal previously worked for Darlingtonbased plumbing, heating and mechanical services firm R Bland 15 years, progressing through the company before covering all aspects of accounts.
Aycliffe Business Park’ s biggest employer has revealed plans to further increase its already vast site.
Gestamp Tallent plans to add another 54 people to its workforce, which already stands at more than 1,000, as part of its latest expansion.
An application to Durham County Council says an existing car parking area, off Howden Road, will make way for the extension.
Alan Glenwright, the local authority’ s principal engineer in its highway, transport, regeneration and local services department, has asked for further details on the proposals, saying the potential loss of parking raises some concerns.
“ The proposed extension would see the loss of 23 parking spaces,” he said.
“ At the same time, the applicant confirms there will be an additional 54 staff. The loss of
Meanwhile, Diane Ruston and Andrew Workman have both gained new promotions within the company.
Diane, who joined Finley Structures as a senior quantity surveyor in May 2014, is now commercial director.
She had previously worked for a major national construction company after graduating from Warwick University in 2004 with a degree in economics, before joining Finley Structures almost three years ago. Andrew, a former apprentice welder, has been with the company more than 13 years and has recently been promoted to estimating manager.
Finley Structures are still looking to appoint a new quantity surveyor, a contracts manager and an estimator in the near future.
Anyone interested in applying for positions at Finley Structures can send a CV and covering letter to p. hadwin @ finleystructures. co. uk
Gestamp to create 50 new jobs with expansion
parking spaces would be the cause of some concern from a highways and traffic point of view, in relation to the potential adverse impact a lack of any additional on-site parking may have on the existing public highway.”
Durham County Council is expected to make a decision on the proposals by the middle of February.