NEWS
Development – new plans have been submitted for Station Place on Aycliffe Business Park .
£ 4.8M STATION PARK DEVELOPMENT BACK ON TRACK AS PLANNING GOES IN
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major development next door to Hitachi Rail which was close to being derailed is now back on track , with permission for a revised plan being submitted to councillors .
Durham County Council agreed in October 2019 to rescue the Station Place development after signing a 30-year head-lease on Merchant Anglo ’ s next phase of the Merchant Park industrial scheme on Aycliffe Business Park .
The original plans , first revealed by Aycliffe Today in June 2018 , were for three large-scale plots totalling 25 acres .
The plans were downsized to smaller units and at the end of 2019 it was announced the units will be managed by Business Durham , the economic development arm of Durham County Council , and could be completed by autumn 2020 – a year later than originally planned .
Developer Merchant Anglo – the company which brought Hitachi to Aycliffe – have now submitted a new planning application for their next phase at Merchant Park .
To be called Station Place , the £ 4.8m scheme will provide 50,333 sq ft in 10 new starter units , in sizes from 3,000 sq ft .
Planners said they expected work to start in October , with units available from next summer .
Merchant director Geoff Hunton said : “ We realised there was a shortfall of modern fit for purpose units in Newton Aycliffe to support new and growing business in conjunction with our partners Business Durham .
“ At Merchant Park , home of Hitachi , we want to be able to support business of all sizes and hopefully one day , when the business park is full , they can all support each other .”
Sarah Slaven , interim managing director at Business Durham , said : “ We are delighted to be working with Merchant Anglo to bring forward this exciting development .
“ I ’ m sure Station Place will very quickly become a key part of the wider Aycliffe Business Park , which is already the biggest industrial estate in the North-East .
“ As the economy moves into the recovery phase we are working with partners to create an environment where businesses can thrive and grow .”
BRAND NEW ONE-SIZE CLOTHING AND HOMEWARE BOUTIQUE OPENS
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brand-new boutique – specialising in one-size clothing , accessories and homeware – has opened its doors on
Aycliffe Business Park .
Born out of a desire to create a happy , stressfree clothes shopping experience , The House of Eden aims to encourage body positivity through its extensive range of one-size clothing and accessories .
Based on Ricknall Avenue on the park , The House of Eden offers customers a friendly , welcoming and enjoyable shopping experience as well as striving to cater to specific product requests .
Alongside the bricks and mortar establishment , The House of Eden is also available online at www . thehouseofeden . co . uk and at various events , shows , markets and fundraisers throughout the North-East in a converted horsebox , a quirky little ‘ shop on wheels ’ named Hettie .
Owner Louisa McLean explains : “ I set up
Louisa McLean has opened House of Eden clothing shop on Aycliffe Business Park .
The House of Eden following years of negative shopping experiences .
“ More often than not I would end up feeling disheartened and down about myself as I would think I ’ m one size , but when I go and try on the clothes they wouldn ’ t fit , sometimes not even nearly ! This is because clothing sizes often vary so much from brand to brand .
“ I figured that if I felt this way , there will be countless others that do too , and The House of Eden was born .”
As well as one-size clothing , you can find homeware items , home fragrances and greetings cards at The House of Eden for the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one .
BUSINESS BRIEFS
CHAMBER DRIVE The North East England Chamber of Commerce , the region ’ s largest business organisation , has launched its latest Stronger North-East campaign .
The ambitious set of proposals to help create dynamic places , attract investment and create jobs across the North-East region was launched in September .
The launch also kick-started a two-week programme of debates and events on the future of the North-East economy .
FIRST CONTRACT WIN A new business is celebrating after securing its first contract .
Newton Aycliffe ’ s 4Automation has been awarded its first contract with APAC , a leading UK importer and distributor of floristry , wedding , party and horticultural products , to expand its distribution centre operations .
4Automation was established in August by a consortium of automation specialists .
COUNCIL CHIEF RETIRES Terry Collins , chief executive of Durham County Council , has announced his intention to retire after a successful 43-year career in local government .
Mr Collins joined the council in February 2009 as corporate director for neighbourhoods , two months before the new unitary authority became operational . He has been chief executive for the past five years .
He has been responsible for a number of achievements as chief executive , including developing the council ’ s culture-led regeneration programme into one of the most extensive and ambitious in the country .
AYCLIFFE BUSINESS We ’ re already working on the 48th issue of Aycliffe Business , due out early December and now with an expanded circulation to parts of Darlington , Shildon and Bishop Auckland .
To get involved , call Sharon Hutchinson on 07940 870310 or email sharon @ aycliffetoday . co . uk .
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