Durham news
RECOVERY GRANTS
300 + businesses benefited from £ 6m recovery fund
FUNERAL FIRM MARKS 100 YEARS OF CARE
More than 300 businesses have been supported and over 3,500 jobs safeguarded through a County Durham Covid-19 recovery grant .
The Durham Business Recovery Grant was launched by Durham County Council in January to help companies overcome the challenges caused by the pandemic , as part of the authority ’ s commitment to supporting the local economy .
To date , it has helped 318 businesses across the county .
The grant was aimed at businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic which were developing recovery plans to meet the challenges they faced – such as purchasing new equipment , developing new products , expanding into new markets , and adapting their operational models .
The scheme , overseen by the council ’ s dedicated business support service Business Durham , offered businesses a clear recovery plan grants from £ 1,000 up to a maximum of £ 40,000 and contributed 75 per cent towards eligible recovery plan costs , with the applicants expected to meet a quarter of the project cost .
Originally set at £ 5m , due to high demand for the grants , an additional £ 1m was added to the fund bringing it to a £ 6m scheme , with the council working hard to assess and process applications quickly .
Grants have been awarded to companies varying in size from micro-businesses to those employing up to 250 people in County Durham from a range of sectors including : business services , construction , healthcare , information and communication , retail and hospitality , leisure , manufacturing and engineering , and tourism .
The majority of grants ( 95 per cent ) have been awarded to micro or smaller businesses employing up to 50 staff .
Each of the 318 companies have secured grants to enable them to purchase new equipment , develop new products , adapt their operational models and expand into new markets .
Cllr Elizabeth Scott , Durham County Council ’ s cabinet member for economy and partnerships , said : “ Over the past 16 months , County Durham businesses have displayed immense resilience , adaptability and innovation , as they continue to navigate the challenges of the pandemic .
“ It has been fantastic to see companies diversify to survive by expanding into new markets and manufacturing different products .”
The scheme has now closed for applications but all those received will be assessed .
Investment gives engineering firm tools to grow
A precision engineering specialist in County Durham is proving it has the talent to turn tools into takings and grow the business thanks to a timely investment .
Ashgarth Engineering , a subcontract precision engineering specialist based in Consett , has reported a 40 per cent increase in turnover over the past year after seeing demand for its services skyrocket .
The company has benefited from a surge in orders from the automotive and medical industries following fresh investment into the business over the past 12 months ,
including support from the Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing ( SAM ) Project at the University of Sunderland .
An established County Durham family funeral business is celebrating a century of serving its local community .
Alderson ’ s Family Funerals had its roots established in 1921 in Ushaw Moor when Robert William Alderson founded a joinery and funeral directing business .
Now four generations later , they have invested in a fleet of cars , taken on new staff and firmly established themselves as an integral and traditional part of the community .
As well as their head office in Ushaw Moor , the business has an office in Langley Moor and has just opened a new branch in Coxhoe .
Hospitality group offers support to business charity
Durham-based hospitality specialist Ramside Estates is the latest business to offer a financial donation to the not-for-profit Open North Foundation .
While much of the hospitality sector has been ravaged over the last 15 months by the Covid-19 pandemic , Ramside Estates has extended its support to the foundation so as to boost some of the region ’ s struggling SMEs .
As well as a financial donation , Ramside Hall Hotel is to be made available free of charge , along with refreshments , to Open North Foundation for upcoming events .
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