Chester-le-Street news
Chester-le-Street charity ' s caring message
A charity dedicated to promoting suicide awareness and prevention is building links with local
Big hopes - Matthew Hunt of If U Care Share .
businesses as it seeks to promote positive mental health .
Chester-le-Street-based If U Care Share has asked workers and businesses across Sunderland and County Durham to get involved , saying it will offer bespoke workshops around current Mental Health Awareness Training ( MHAT ) and Suicide Training On Prevention ( STOP ) to companies that back the initiative .
As well as the one-to-one support from its North-East base , the charity delivers mental health education and suicide prevention workshops catering for adults and children .
The charity is also raising funds on Crowdfunder but charity founder Matthew Hunt is hoping North-East businesses will lead the way .
Drum deli reboots buffet service
Crafty online move brings success
An architectural metalwork specialist is forging ahead into new markets after receiving investment and technical expertise from a team of manufacturing experts .
Steelcraft , based in Chester-le-Street , is expanding its product offering and launching a new brand after securing a fivefigure funding grant and support from the Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing ( SAM ) Project .
The company , which until last year specialised solely in the production of metalwork for housing developers such as Bellway and Miller , saw its business almost grind to a halt after the closing of construction sites due to social distancing restrictions .
However , having launched its first e-commerce platform , Forjj , just prior to the pandemic , the company was not only able
Chester-le-Street online ! to diversify and sell its products directly to consumers but also capitalise on the rise in housing restorations during the pandemic , leading to a 900 per cent uplift in online sales during the crisis .
Steelcraft operations manager Liam Armstrong said : “ Forjj had been a work in progress for some time , but it never really received the attention it deserved until the pandemic hit .
“ Once we saw our order books dry up during the Covid-19 crisis , we dedicated most of our resources to pushing that side of the business and we couldn ’ t be happier with how it has improved our business .’’
While the launch of Forjj allowed Steelcraft to pivot during the crisis and carve out new business opportunities , its success also resulted in the company running at full capacity , once lockdown measures were eased and the UK embarked upon ‘ project build ’.
Car business shrugs off Brexit and Covid-19
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A Chester-le-Street delicatessen has relaunched its buffet service to cater for events across the region in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions being lifted .
Drum Deli , which opened in February 2020 and specialises in hearty homemade food , had provided its buffet service just three times before the first lockdown was imposed .
Friends Michelle Spinks and Nicky Findlay had worked together in the recruitment industry for over five years before setting up the deli , based on the Drum Industrial Estate , which has been awarded a five-star hygiene rating .
Michelle said : “ We are really excited to be catering for all different kinds of corporate and private events again .”
Visitors to Chester-le-Street can now enjoy free internet access , with the introduction of public wi-fi in the town centre .
Funded by Durham County Council , the installation of free public wi-fi is part of a multi-million-pound scheme to enhance the vibrancy of towns and villages across County Durham , and aims to help boost footfall in the town following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions .
The wi-fi covers the full length of Front Street as well as the town ’ s Market Place .
Visitors can log on to the Connected Chester-le-Street system via a simple online form or through social media and will be automatically re-connected on their return .
The founders of independent supercar dealership Performance 28 have said that the challenge of establishing the firm amid Brexit and the Covid-19 crisis has created a “ better business ”.
Former JCT600 Bentley Newcastle general manager Tony Thomson and entrepreneur business partner Aidan Sunter started their venture on the Drum Industrial Estate , Chester-le-Street , two years ago and say business is booming . Tony said : “ We haven ’ t looked back .”
Aiden said : “ The adversity that we have had to work through to get to this stage and get the business established has been good for us .
“ If you can sell cars in the climate that we have succeeded in so far , then we can make a success of it long term .”