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DID YOU KNOW THAT NORTH EAST BUSINESSES CAN APPLY FOR A FREE CYBER VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT FROM NORTHUMBRIA POLICE?

Cyber criminals are constantly scanning the internet looking for vulnerabilities such as an unpatched server. This service can find vulnerabilities before the criminals do. For more information and to register, click here....

SIMON TO SET UP CORPORATE FINANCE DEPARTMENT AT HARLANDS

Harlands Accountants have recently recruited a business funding expert, Simon Boyson, who will be supporting our clients in obtaining business growth funding.  Simon is tasked with setting up our corporate finance department and we now have access to over 300 funders across a range of products such as commercial mortgages, asset finance and factoring facilities. If you are considering raising funds for any of the following reasons:Looking to expand your premises or purchase new kit?Loo...

WELL DONE BEAMISH MUSEUM!

Huge congratulations to Beamish Museum for recently scooping the Tourism and Hospitality Award at the North East Business Awards.  And congratulations also to Emily Hope who works at the museum’s entrance and who was recently named national VisitEngland Tourism Superstar....

NORIKO’S PICTURE BOOK JUST RELEASED IN JAPAN

DBN member Noriko Matsubara’s picture book “Bocchi and Pocchi: A Tale of Two Socks,” originally published in the UK, has recently been published in her home country Japan.  "I’m over the moon with this news!” Noriko says. "I’d love it if my books help bond children and their carers, and nurture children’s potential all over the world.” Noriko’s picture book series 'Bocchi and Pocchi’ are now available in seven languages including Englis...

IMAGO SKINCARE - FATHER'S DAY OFFER!

20% off Men's Daily Skincare Pack! Containing everything a man needs to keep his skin in good condition.  All hand made natural skincare made in Consett. Use this link to get it from Etsy. Or, contact Pauline at Imagoskincare@yahoo.com or on 07824 533 976....

HOTEL 52 BECOMES DBN'S FIRST OFFICIAL SUPPORTER AND OFFERS FREE CONFERENCE FACILITIES FOR DBN MEMBERS

Did you know that our good friends at Hotel 52, Stanley are offering free conference room hire for DBN members? Booking couldn't be easier, just call 01207 263790 or email stanley@hotel52.co.uk.From the outset, Hotel 52 have been great supporters of DBN and in recognition of this, we've created a special category of membership and Hotel 52, Stanley becomes DBNs first Official Supporter. Thank you Hotel 52 for doing so much to help the local business community in North West Durham!...

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY TO DERWENT VALLEY AREA ACTION PARTNERSHIP (AAP)

Durham County Council recently celebrated 10 years of AAPs. Since 2009 the 14 AAPs across the County have delivered more than 6,000 community projects, engaged with more than 30,000 people and helped secure funding in excess of £100 million. DBN is very proud to have delivered two highly successful business growth projects for Derwent Valley AAP which have supported more than 50 local businesses....

VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT.

Did you know that North East businesses can apply for a free Cyber vulnerability assessment from Northumbria Police? Cyber criminals are constantly scanning the internet looking for vulnerabilities such as an unpatched server. This service can find vulnerabilities before the criminals do.For further information, please click here....

IT'S TIME TO GET THOSE BIKES OUT OF THE SHED AND ON THE ROAD!

Steel Town Cycles run a bicycle workshop with a qualified professional bicycle mechanic providing service, repair and upgrades throughout County Durham.We are able to supply and fit components and accessories from a range of manufacturers to suit most budgets. Customers are welcome to supply their own parts which will be fitted for a charge. A drop-off /collection service is also available between 7am and 7pm, Monday – Saturday. We can collect and deliver from your home or work to suit within ...

CHRIS WILL HELP YOU SAVE ENERGY COSTS

Hi, I'm Chris from Great Annual Saving Group and I want to help you to save money on your business energy bills.I am available for DBN Members as I live local in Shotley Bridge and will manage their account with as much or as little contact as needed so they can concentrate on their business not bills!My service for DBN Members Free ‘Bills Health Check’ where I'll assess how they are set up currently and offer free advice. This only takes around 30 minutes.Market leading energy rates from ou...

PLEASE SUPPORT MACCINE'S MOONWALK

On May 11th I will be walking 26.2 miles through London at night in a decorated bra, yes really!! WHY? You may well ask... To raise money for FACT ‘Fighting All Cancers Together’. This is so important to me because my Mam lost her fight with cancer 24 years ago and our family had no support. FACT provides support to family, friends, work colleagues and anyone who is affected by cancer. FACT wants to build the UK’s first Cancer, Support, Awareness, and Education centre here in the North Eas...

NEW YEAR, NEW CHALLENGE?

Are you looking for a new volunteering challenge this year? Would you like to help the Derwent Valley Partnership (DVP) identify local issues, develop projects to help tackle these and have a say in where our funding is spent? If the answer is yes, then 2019 is the year that you can get involved! The DVP has two vacancies within its public representative category, this is an exciting opportunity for anyone living, working, studying or volunteering within the area, with a keen interest in their c...

VIDEO FROM DBN MEMBER BRENDA BEVERIDGE : 5 REASONS TO HAVE A WILL IN PLACE

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ARE YOU PAYING TOO MUCH FOR YOUR BUSINESS ENERGY?

Do you wish there was a quick and easy way of finding out? Well Great Annual Savings bill doctor service might just be the answer! Too busy to talk now? That's fine with us. All you need to do is let us know when is best for you and one of our team of experts will give you a call to perform a full health check of your bills. If we find that you are being overcharged, we'll utilise our unique partnerships with some of the UK’s leading energy suppliers to present you with cheaper optio...

TANYA'S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

At our networking event in February we handed out some jars of Amor Spice Hot Chilli Sauce, made by one of our members Tanya Smiley. We received lots of great comments about the sauce and we asked Tanya to tell us something about how she started her business. "Hot chilli was never my thing despite being of Afro-Caribbean descent! Then one day my dad made some homemade chilli which sparked an interest to make my own sauce and to adapt it to my own taste buds. Amor Spice was bo...

MEET ED FROM DURHAM PAT TESTING

Durham PAT Testing is one of the few portable testing appliance companies in the North East run by a qualified Electrician. Ed Gorman served a four-year apprenticeship at British Steel Consett Works before it’s closure and has been testing appliances since 1990. He set up his own company almost 11 years ago, and from a small beginning now tests for companies large and small all over Co. Durham. Some of his larger contracts now include companies such as Hitachi Rail and Thorn Lighting, as ...

BUSINESS LOANS AND GROWTH CAPITAL FROM NEL FUND MANAGERS

The North East Growth Capital Fund (supported by The European Regional Development Fund) backs ambitious businesses looking to realise their growth potential and create new jobs.Investments of up to £500,000Terms of up to 5 yearsUnsecured finance, without the need for Director's GuaranteesBespoke terms tailored to meet business needsThe North East Small Loan Fund (supported by The European Regional Development Fund) supports small businesses with big plans.Typical investment range £1...

DBN MEMBERS UP FOR FSB AWARD

Savvy Solos and Media Borne are both in the running for FSB North East Start-Up of The Year Award. Good luck  - we've got our fingers crossed for both of you. Nicola of Savvy Solos said "we are absolutely stunned and delighted" and Gavin of Media Borne said "We’ve been nominated for start-up business of the year and are now one of the 5 finalists! Thanks to everyone for the support over the last year it means so much to be nominated and would be unreal if with took this hom...

3 TIPS TO REMEMBER WHAT YOU ARE SAYING WHEN TALKING TO CAMERA USING POST IT NOTES

We know that going live or recording a video is hard when you can remember what your saying. Here is an awesome and affordable way of remembering what you're saying during your video marketing attempts. Having a post-it note just above your lens allows you to write a couple of prompts so that if you go off topic you can quickly glance at the post-it note and remember what you're saying....

MOTHER'S DAY OFFER FROM IMAGO SKINCARE

In honour of all mothers everywhere, visit my website to get 20% off all skincare collections.  Choose from full size or travel size skincare collections, available for three different skin types, Helping Hands Collection, Revitaleyes Collection or Skin Booster Collection.  Lets show them how much we care with handmade, natural skincare gifts.  Starting from £18.40, there's a perfect gift for all those gorgeous Mothers out there. Please note, this is an offer only available from ...

HOW CAN DBN HELP YOUR BUSINESS?

What mentoring and training support does your business need in 2019?  We need your input please!  In recent years we have delivered mentoring and training to give practical, hands-on support for our members.  We'd like to offer more of this going forward but first we need to know more about the support you need. Please can you complete the short survey by clicking here or on the logo below before 19th March if possible please.  This will help us plan how we can...

DBN BLOGWATCH

Several of our members maintain excellent blogs filled with really useful tips and interesting information.  Here are our recommended blogs for March.  Please take a few minutes to read through them and let us know if you would like your blog to be featured in the next newsletter. Nathalie's Book BlogMedia Borne on Brand IdentityElm Marketing on Planning a new WebsiteVindomora Hagg Community Archaeology Project...

Department for International Trade - The Brexit Deal Explained

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is at the heart of EU Exit delivery. We are responsible for helping businesses export, driving inward and outward investment, preparing to negotiate market access and trade deals, and championing free trade.  To help the British public and businesses understand what the deal will deliver, Her Majesty’s Government has launched the ‘Brexit Deal Explained’ website. This website explains the Withdrawal Agreement, which sets out the te...

Preparing for Brexit

The North East Chamber of Commerce reported recently that 47.2% of businesses felt underprepared for Brexit, with most taking little or no action to prepare. With this in mind, and with the 29 March 2019 looming, it’s essential that businesses begin to make preparations. We’ve brought together business support and access to finance schemes, resources and events to help your business prepare for Brexit. Also, if you are a non-UK staff employer, please take our survey ...

OVER £4M OF TAX RECLAIM SHOWS INNOVATION BLOSSOMED IN 2018

Durham-based research and development (R&D) tax specialists, Lumo, are hailing 2018 ‘the year of innovation’ in the North East following a significant increase in successful tax relief claims for inventive projects and solutions across the region and beyond. The last 12 months has seen R&D tax relief claims handled by Lumo rise over 160 per cent, across diverse sectors, including life sciences, food and drink, science and technology and manufacturing. Local projects have included a waterfall...