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DBN AFTER DARK - GHOSTS: A SPOOKY BUSINESS?

“DBN AFTER DARK - GHOSTS: A SPOOKY BUSINESS?"Halloween is upon us again, along with another DBN After Dark . . . so what do ghosts and the paranormal have in common with high flying business and profit?Let’s have a lovely perfectly unscary discussion on how the last century or so has turned objects of fear, awe and devotion into a massive industry, boosted by the marketing engine of fear and of course our friends in Hollywood . . . why not join the chat?  You won’t be board…” [sic...

UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE LAND OF OAK AND IRON - OCTOBER 2025

Saturday, 4th October 2025 - 10:00-14:00Come and meet potter Kate Bosworth of Orchard Grange Pottery at the Heritage Centre for another of our ‘Meet the Maker’ events.Kate’s first love is of the process and set up Orchard Grange Pottery to bring the benefits of making with clay to new people.  The Pottery now hosts up to 30 people each week, of all ages and abilities, with a mission to open up participation to as many people as possible.Kate is a (largely) self-taught ceramic artist b...

SAY GOODBYE TO PAPER BUSINESS CARDS WITH PROFYLE!

Networking doesn’t have to be complicated - or wasteful.  With Profyle, sharing your contact info is instant, smart, and completely carbon-neutral. As an UMi user, you get:Up to 30 days free for up to 3 users20% off your first paid subscriptionA free custom NFC card design when you order 5+ cards UMi uses Profyle themselves and love how easy it makes connecting at events and keeping track of new contacts - no paper piles, no manual data entry. Why y...

The Internet is changing, again!

Amidst headlines about billions of dollars being invested by major US tech firms in the UK, and the release of Sir Tim Berners-Lee’s memoirs, one important story may have slipped under the radar: AI Summaries (or AI Overviews) are set to transform the familiar Google search experience.The impact? A surge in "zero-click" searches, where users get the information they need without ever visiting a website.The challenge? Ensuring your website content is optimised and ready to appear in A...

App of the Month

Stop Hoarding, Start SharingWe’re all guilty of it: snapping hundreds of photos and videos that end up buried in the depths of our phone’s gallery. But what’s the point of capturing those business moments if no one ever gets to see them?Enter Quik, the mobile app that transforms your forgotten footage into visual stories. With just a few taps, Quik automatically edits your clips, adds music, syncs everything to the beat, and delivers a slick video that’s ready to post on your social...

Welcome to DBN, Consett and District Golf Club!

We're delighted to extend a warm welcome to our newest member, Kris Kennedy, the Club Secretary at Consett and District Golf Club.Nestled in the picturesque Derwent Valley, the club has been a cornerstone of the community since 1911. Its stunning 18-hole parkland course, redesigned by the legendary Harry Vardon, is a testament to its commitment to excellence.While celebrated for its top-tier golfing, Consett Golf Club is more than just a course. It's a hub for the community, with a friendly atmo...

Reflecting on CO Training Session with Northern Cancer Voices

Thank you to everyone who attended our recent training session with Northern Cancer Voices. It was an interesting session, and we appreciate the positive feedback we've received.Everyone who came along learnt a great deal. We are grateful to Northern Cancer Voices for delivering this valuable training free of charge. Their expertise made for an informative experience for all who participated.For those who couldn't make it, we are currently in talks to arrange another training session. We are hop...

The DBN Business Showcase Event

In today's challenging climate, a strong network is more vital than ever for small businesses to grow. At the Do Business Network, we are here to facilitate opportunities to help you promote your business, gain valuable connections, and establish reliable referral sources. Together, we are stronger. Let's work as a business community to help each other thrive in 2026.This event is designed for every attendee to get the opportunity to showcase their business to everyone in the room. You're welcom...

Jingle & Mingle: Join Us for a Festive DBN Christmas Networking!

As the year draws to a close, it's time to celebrate a year of hard work, collaboration, and growth. It's a cherished tradition for us to end the year at Derwentside College, and we're thrilled to invite you to our final networking event of 2025. It's the perfect opportunity to reflect on your achievements and strengthen the connections that will help your business thrive in the new year.This isn't just about business; it's also about a bit of festive fun. After a productive year of networking, ...

A MESSAGE FROM OUR MAYOR, KIM McGUINNESS

A statement from Kim McGuinness:"I am delighted to tell you we have today secured an AI Growth Zone for the North East - a partnership with some of the biggest names in global computing and the UK Government which puts us at the forefront of the next technology revolution. "Our AI Growth Zone will help us attract billions of pounds in new investment to the North East and create up to 5,000 new jobs in the long term. It will supercharge our own technology s...

Netwalking at its best!

There’s no better way to network than with a stroll through the beautiful countryside, and our latest Wag & Walk was a perfect example.We started bright and early at Beamish Hall, and once again the weather was on our side as we strolled through the beautiful woodlands. It was great to see everyone enjoying themselves and so were the dogs!A huge thank you to Gareth from Take a Hike for leading us on such a beautiful woodland walk, and to the staff at The Stables for looking after us so wel...

Ushaw's Big Library to Open Again This November!

Following the incredible response to its August opening, Ushaw is delighted to announce that its Big Library will open its doors once again—this time across two days: Friday, 21st and Saturday, 22nd November 2025.To help make visits even more enjoyable, Ushaw has introduced 30-minute pre-bookable time slots. This means there will be no queues, just a relaxed opportunity for visitors to step inside one of Ushaw’s most atmospheric and inspiring spaces.Whether someone is a book lover, a history...

WALKING WITH THE GHOSTS OF DURHAM

Oh Ghost walks are not for me there no such things as ghosts!!A Ghost walk is not just about the ghost stories it is about the history of Durham too.Walking with the Ghosts of Durham shares with you some of the tales of people who used to live in Durham and how some people may well still be experiencing ghosts from the past.Hear tales of characters long gone from the city but they still leave a print of their liVes in the streets and buildings of Durham.Events that happened in and around Durham ...

UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUSINESS FINANCE

As part of British Business Bank’s Business Finance Week 2025, UMi are excited to invite you to a free virtual event: Understanding Different Types of Business FinanceDate: Saturday, 4th October 2025Time: 11:00am - 12:00noon Join UMi for an hour of insight and inspiration as they explore the different types of business finance available to growing businesses. Hear first-hand experiences from successful entrepreneurs who have navigated the funding journey...

ALL HALLOW'S EVE: ILLUMINATED TRAIL AT USHAW

Ushaw's All Hallow’s Eve: Illuminated Trail is back!  Step through the stone gates and leave the everyday behind . . . if you dare.  This spooky season, Ushaw’s historic grounds transform into a haunting illuminated trail, filled with wonder, mystery, and a touch of fright.Discover more and get your tickets below!...

CHRISTMAS EVENINGS 2025 AT BEAMISH MUSEUM

Tickets on sale Wednesday, 10th September - 10am.Adult £24Child (2-16 years) £15Immerse yourself in an extra-special enchanting evening at Beamish. Enjoy twinkling lights, festive entertainment, and seasonal treats under the night sky.Add an extra festive experience to your evening visit and meet Father Christmas in his festive Grotto at Rowley Station Goods Yard (extra charge applies, see below for more details).  Please note, this is a special festive evening event, and Beamish Unlimite...

HALLOWEEN EVENINGS 2025 AT BEAMISH MUSEUM

Tickets on sale: Thursday, 4th September 2025 - 10am. Adult: £24Child (2-16 years): £15Join us for a special spine-tingling experience as Beamish is transformed into The Un-living Museum of the North.Play the night away with fiendishly family-friendly fun in our 1950s welfare hall.Our cobbled Edwardian street is home to more than just our townsfolk at Halloween, meet the newest inhabitants and enjoy some enthralling entertainment across the museum.No tricks here, just delicious treats fro...

A SPOOKY SWEET TREAT: NETWORKING WITH A TWIST AT BEAMISH MUSEUM!

Get ready to mix business with a little Halloween magic! On Tuesday, October 21st, the Do Business Network is heading to Beamish Museum for a truly unique and seasonal networking event.We'll start with refreshments and networking in the grand Bank Board Room, where you can connect with your fellow DBN members and Beamish Business Friends. Then, for a truly special experience, we have arranged a visit to Jubilee Confectioners, the famous 1900s sweet shop. You'll get an up-close look at their fest...

DBN Wag and Walk: Networking with a View (and a Wagging Tail!)

Are you ready to swap the conference room for a breath of fresh air?  We're thrilled to invite you to our September networking event with a difference: the DBN Wag 'n Walk at Beamish!  This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow local businesses in a relaxed, scenic environment - and yes, your four-legged friends are more than welcome to join us!This is a brilliant way to network, share ideas, and build relationships while enjoying the beautiful countryside.Event DetailsWhat...

KAFFEEHAUS - UPCOMING COFFEE COURSE DATES

Join us on a Coffee Courses for a morning of educational fun as we delve into the wonderful world of coffee.  We will cover the journey from bean to cup, experiment along the way with plenty of taste testing and teach you how to prepare a great cup of coffee at home. If you're interested, please make sure to book on soon as we don't have many dates left for the rest of the year.Barista CourseSaturday, 13th September 2025Home Brew CourseSaturday, 27th September 2025B...

KAFFEEHAUS - WE HAVE A NEW UGANDAN COFFEE!

We have a few new coffees on the horizon which we're very excited to tell you about, but we're starting with a change to our St. Cuthbert's Journey.The reason for changing up our St. Cuthbert's Journey coffee is that we ran out of our wonderful Rwandan beans from Rwamatamu.  It is not a permanent change, as we are committed to building a long term partnership with Rwamatamu, however we did need something to tie us over until their new harvest arrives and thus we have, for the interim, chang...

No Credit Card, No Risk: Six Months of FounderPass Premium

Recognising how expensive and overwhelming business growth can be, UMi has partnered with FounderPass to provide UMi Sat Nav users with an exclusive deal: six months free of FounderPass Premium.This offer gives users:Over 350 discounts on essential business toolsPerks valued at more than $3M for founders and small teamsGuides, playbooks, and tools specifically designed for entrepreneursThis founder-friendly toolkit is available for six months at no cost and requires no payment details. For addit...

The Power of an Introduction: A DBN Success Story

In the world of business, we often talk about the power of a strong network. But what does that really mean in practice? Sometimes, it all comes down to a single, well-placed introduction that can open up a world of new opportunities. This is exactly what happened for Andy Hill, the General Manager at Beamish Park Golf Club, after he joined DBN.Since becoming a DBN member, Beamish Park Golf Club has seen a significant return on its investment in the network. The team has built strong connections...

Free Carbon Monoxide (CO) Online Training

We're thrilled to highlight an upcoming opportunity brought to you by Northern Cancer Voices: a Free Carbon Monoxide (CO) Training session, delivered by Tori Braddison.What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?Often called the "silent killer," carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that can be deadly. It's produced when fuels like gas, oil, coal, and wood burn incompletely. Without proper detection, it's impossible to know it's present until it's too late. That's why understanding its ...

PROVISIONAL DATES AND VENUES FOR 2026

Tuesday, 20th January 2026 – Beamish Hall Hotel, Coppy Lane, Beamish, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 0YB – 8:30-10:30 – Shoebox Expo Tuesday, 17th February 2026 – Consett Golf Club, Elmfield Road, Consett, County Durham, DH8 5NN – 8:30-10:30 Tuesday, 17th March 2026 – Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, Woodland Road, Ushaw Moor, County Durham, DH7 7DW – 8:30-10:30 Tuesday, 21st April 2026 – Beamish Golf Club, Beamish, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 0RH – 8:30-1...