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Jingle & Mingle: Celebrate, Connect, and Shape DBN's Future

As the year rapidly draws to a close, the Do Business Network (DBN) team would like to extend a huge personal thank you. Your commitment, active participation, and expertise are what make our small business community so vibrant, collaborative, and trustworthy.To celebrate a fantastic year of shared successes and look forward to an even brighter future, we warmly invite you to our final meeting of the year—the much-anticipated 'Jingle & Mingle' at Derwentside College.'This is more than just...

The Business Owner's Journey: Why Networking is Your Underrated Lifeline

Running a business is often romanticised, but those of us in the thick of it know the reality is far more complex. It's a rollercoaster of soaring highs and challenging lows, often navigated alone. If you're currently wrestling with an overflowing to-do list, wondering how to secure your next client, or just feeling the pressure of being 'the one in charge', this blog is for you.The Unspoken Burden of the Business OwnerLet's talk about the juggling act. As a business owner, you are simultaneousl...

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...

Discover the Magic of Christmas Through the Ages at Beamish Museum

Visitors are invited to step into a festive journey through time and experience the wonder of Christmas, from the elegance of the Georgian era all the way to the fabulous 1950s.Beamish Museum offers something for everyone as the countdown to the big day begins the traditional way. From twinkling decorations and delicious seasonal treats to nostalgic music and hands-on activities, the museum provides a truly immersive experience.A Historical Christmas JourneyThe time-travelling Christmas adventur...

BRAND NEW - KAFFEEHAUS COFFEE LIQUEUR

It has been an incredibly busy and exciting start to the Christmas season! With seven markets already under KAFFEEHAUS' belt, they are in full festive swing and have four more wonderful Christmas Markets to look forward to (see upcoming dates below).Alongside doubling up every weekend to participate in these fantastic markets, KAFFEEHAUS also been dedicating their time to an exciting project behind the scenes for quite some time now, and they reckon it's finally high time they told you about it!...

FESTIVE FAMILY FUN AT USHAW!

Step into the magic of Ushaw Historic House this Christmas and experience a celebration filled with tradition, creativity and community spirit.Marvel at the traditionally decorated Main House and Chapels, and discover enchanting displays - from magnificent trees and handcrafted book-inspired installations to joyful artwork created by over 1,000 local schoolchildren.In the Parlour, a festive table awaits Father Christmas’ visit, surrounded by stunning floral arrangements and a glittering tree.&...

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!

With Christmas fast approaching we have a lot of wonderful gift ideas and exciting launches coming your way!  To start the Christmas countdown we'd like to introduce you to our first two new limited edition additions - our brand new Christmas Coffee and our beautiful handmade Ceramic Coffee Tumblers....

AI, Automation, and Welcoming Northern Tenants Group

What a great turnout for our networking meeting this morning! Despite a covering of snow here in Consett, our dedicated members and guests showed up in force to connect and collaborate. That's true North East commitment!Thank you to Ben Mushen from Sunderland Software City for an insightful presentation this morning. The session was highly educational and thought-provoking, giving us new ideas on how we can use AI and automation to help improve business systems. We will publish Bens slides on ou...

Is your annual tax return giving you 'Year-End Panic' stress?

For growing SMEs, relying on reactive accounting is a major barrier. You need financial insights throughout the year, not just an expensive post-mortem.We act as your Year-Round Financial Controller, offering proactive support in plain English. We free you up to do what you do best: develop your business.Read this Linkedin article by Westwood Accountancy HERE...

Complimentary Fee Utilities Health Check

We are delighted to bring you a high-value opportunity facilitated by fellow DBN Member, 121 Business Links.If your business operates from a building, we understand the increasing pressure of managing operational costs. We are pleased to offer you a complimentary Fee Utilities Health Check, a service designed to review and potentially reduce your regular business expenditures.What the Expert Health Check IncludesIn a dedicated one-hour session, a specialist from 121 Business Links will meticulou...

DBN Member Spotlight: Young Charity Champions of the Year! ( Building self Belief )

The Do Business Network (DBN) is thrilled to celebrate the incredible success of valued member, Building Self Belief, and their inspiring Kye's Kick Off team.This dedicated team recently triumphed at the 2025 North East Charity Awards, where they were named Young Charity Champions of the Year! This achievement is a fantastic example of the passion and positive change happening right within our network.An Inspiring AchievementThe Kye's Kick Off team, based at Boldon School, formed after the tragi...

DBN Member Spotlight: Harrington Brown Wins Gold!

We are absolutely thrilled to extend a massive congratulations to DBN member, Harrington Brown! 🥳This excellent local, independent business, based in Shotley Bridge (near Consett), has secured the prestigious Gold Award in Sales at the EA Masters in London for the third consecutive year.This incredible achievement recognises their dedication to excellence across key client-centric metrics. A special shout-out to Business Owner Jennifer Hartburn and team members James and Aiden for representin...

How We're Helping You Double Your Network and Boost Productivity

The joint networking event between the DBN and the Northern Tenants Business Network on Thursday, 20th November, offers attendees a crucial opportunity to gain expert insight into digital growth. We are proud to welcome Ben Mushen, a Digital Adoption Specialist from Sunderland Software City.Ben’s Core Expertise: Practical Digital TransformationBen Mushen brings genuine, hands-on experience to the stage. His role involves working directly with regional businesses to implement technology that dr...

Tired of networking that doesn't deliver?

The Do Business Network (DBN) is a dynamic community built on practical support and real results. Our focus is on helping small businesses in the North East not just network, but genuinely do business.The Value is Clear: Over 90% of our members do business with each other. That’s the proven return on investment you get from an active, trusted business community.What a DBN Membership Gives Your Business (Just £130 Annually):Practical Expertise: Access to 1-to-1 business coaching, member-to-mem...

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...

THE LAND OF OAK AND IRON - DECEMBER 2025

Dates: Wednesday, 5th November 2025 - Sunday, 4th January 2026 - 9:00-16:00Venue: Land of Oak and Iron Heritage Centre, Spa Well Road, Winlaton Mill, Blaydon-on-Tyne, Northumberland, NE21 6RUThis exhibition showcases and celebrates the achievements of the Land of Oak & Iron Wednesday painting group, based here at the Heritage Centre.  This is their third annual exhibition in our Inside Out Gallery.The Wednesday acrylic painting sessions have been led by local artist, Katherine...

Sweet Success: Networking at Beamish Museum

We had a fantastic networking morning at Beamish Museum today! It was brilliant to see so many familiar faces and to connect with the Business Friends of Beamish too! We kicked off the event with a relaxed cuppa, where we were warmly welcomed by Lisa Powell and Sam Appleby from Beamish. To mark the season, we enjoyed some delicious, spooky-themed shortbread, baked fresh at the famous Beamish Bakery—a treat that certainly set a positive tone for the morning!The room quickly filled with energy a...

KAFFEEHAUS NEWS

Kaffeehaus is absolutely thrilled to announce that they've found the perfect fit for their Sales and Customer Care role!A huge welcome to Chris, who joined the Kaffeehaus team recently.  You'll be spotting him around the roastery more frequently as he settles into his new role.  Do say hi when you next see him. Chris brings a genuine passion for coffee!  With his extensive knowledge and impressive barista skills, he will be here to help advise you on the ideal coffee cho...

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, ...

Heritage, Hospitality, and Hitting the Green with Kris Kennedy

In this week's episode of the Do Business network podcast, host Melanie Cant takes a closer look at a local institution with a rich history and an eye firmly on the future: Consett District Golf Club.Melanie sits down with the club's Secretary, Kris Kennedy, who provides a fascinating and candid insight into his vital role and the pride he takes in the club's stunning grounds, affectionately referred to as the "beautiful fairways." Consett Golf Club is clearly more than just a place to play; it'...

Member Spotlight: BUILDING SELF-BELIEF

Renovation of the community centre is thanks to £13,000 of funding from Karbon Homes’ Unlocking Social Value Fund.  Karbon has proudly partnered with Building Self-Belief for several years, supporting the charity with a number of its projects and services.CEO of Building Self Belief, Christine Thomas, said: “The centre means we now have an identity and a consistent presence, putting us at the heart of the community. We’ve been based in Consett since 2018 but not h...

USHAW - NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2025

Marvel at the traditionally decorated Main House and Chapels, and discover enchanting displays - from magnificent trees and handcrafted book-inspired installations to joyful artwork created by over 1,000 local schoolchildren.Daily throughout December - 10:00am - 4:00pm.EVENTS DURING THE CHRISTMAS PERIODChristmas Gift Fair - Saturday, 8th & Sunday, 9th NovemberDiscover over 50 of the region’s finest crafters and local artisans, showcasing unique creations and stunning gift inspiration. ...

CHRISTMAS 2025 AT USHAW

Step into the magic of Ushaw Historic House this Christmas and experience a celebration filled with tradition, creativity, and community spirit.Discover a sparkling line-up of festive events, from creative workshops and joyful concerts to family fun with Father Christmas himself!...

BEAMISH HALL - FOREST OF LIGHT 2025

The North East’s Leading Winter Light Trail is almost fully booked for weekend and peak-season evenings in December!...

NORTHERN CANCER VOICES - FIRST FUNDRAISER!

This weekend marked a major milestone for Northern Cancer Voices as Northern Cancer Voices held their very first fundraising event - and what a challenge it was!Eight incredible fundraisers took on the Yorkshire Two Peaks (yes, not three!) in a demanding hike led by their brilliant guide Orange John. Battling tough terrain and unpredictable weather, the team tackled Ingleborough (723m) and pushed on to Whernside (736m) - with four determined walkers making it t...