Development – FIREM ’ s Robert Woolley ( left ) with Guy Bashford and Peter Rippingdale from Business Durham and Emily Armstrong from FIREM .
East Durham news
Solar panels make energy savings
ON POINT
New £ 3.5m industrial park launches in Peterlee
FI Real Estate Management ( FIREM ) has completed a new £ 3.5m business park made up of nine industrial units in Peterlee , County Durham .
Gemini Point is located at Bracken Hill Business Park and offers businesses a range of spaces with units from 5,400 sq ft to 7,400 sq ft , and a total lettable space of 55,475 sq ft .
The project to create a new 2.85-acre commercial development in Peterlee included the transformation of the site of the former Gemini office block to create a variety of flexible spaces .
Building work began earlier this year and has been carried out by FIREM ’ s construction division , FI Construction , which worked closely with its supply chain to provide opportunities for local employment and training throughout construction .
Tim Knowles , founder and managing director of FIREM , said : “ Last year , the number of businesses based in Durham reached an all-time high at over 33,000 and this incredible economic growth must be supported by a supply of high quality and well connected commercial space .
“ We are very proud to launch Gemini Point to market , and to play our part in the county ’ s drive for growth .
“ This development forms part of our wider investment in Durham , which over the coming years will see us continue to evolve our property portfolio to meet the changing needs of businesses .”
Peter Rippingale , director of inward investment and opportunities , Business Durham , added : “ Gemini Point is a welcome addition to the market offering an excellent location for businesses .
“ The investment made by FI Real Estate Management demonstrates confidence in the County Durham economy , and with the high demand for premises and the quality of the property on offer here , it ’ s likely to prove a popular option for a variety of businesses .”
As part of its wider investment in Durham , FIREM also asset manages a total of 200,000 sq ft of commercial space , including Wear House at Bracken Hill Business Park .
Residents in a County Durham town are reporting savings of more than 70 per cent on their energy bills after their homes were fitted with solar panels and battery storage .
Peterlee-based renewable energy specialist Clear Climate was awarded a contract with housing assocation Livin Housing to install the panels at 60 properties in Chilton .
The panels and battery storage packs were installed earlier this year and in just a few months the residents have reported they ’ re now paying over 70 per cent less than they were before the installation was carried out .
Dates announced for Seaham Food Festival
ZF surpasses 50 million automotive cameras produced , with thanks to Peterlee site
ZF , the world ’ s leading supplier of automotive cameras , has announced it has produced its 50 millionth automotive camera and surpassed the 10 million-mark annually for automotive smart camera production , an industry first .
ZF manufactures cameras around the globe at its sites around the world , including one at Peterlee .
The firm ’ s other plants are in Marshall , Illinois , in the US , Anting in China , Czestochowa in Poland and Monterrey in Mexico .
“ We utilise the most advanced manufacturing and testing techniques at
all ZF locations to help ensure the quality and reliability of our cameras and salute our dedicated teams around the globe for their dedication to excellence ,” said Jana Rosenmann , head of the electronics and ADAS division for the ZF Group .
Traders are being encouraged to get ahead for the new year as applications open to be involved in one of the North-East ’ s most popular food festivals .
Durham County Council has confirmed Saturday and Sunday August 5 / 6 will be the dates for Seaham Food Festival 2023 .
As one of the region ’ s biggest food festivals , each year the event is host to hundreds of independent stalls selling everything from sensational street food and delicious desserts to refreshing beverages .
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