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DBN UPDATE - 26th JANUARY 2021

We got DBN's 2021 off to a great start at our monthly networking meeting last week.  Thanks to everyone who came along and for all the brilliant comments and messages afterwards. A huge thank you to Paul Sparks for offering some very helpful advice and support on Brexit matters and to Peter Jackson who told us about the forthcoming publication of his novel set in Roman Lanchester. It sounds great! During February and March we’re offering a skills, mentoring and training programme to help ...

CLADWISE BATHROOMS

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DURHAM BUSINESS GROWTH GRANT

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PHIL NEEDS YOUR MONEY RAISING IDEAS PLEASE

I have recently been made a trustee of Chopwell and we are looking for help in raising money for our town bank project.  Any help or advice would be much appreciated. OK, in summary... We need £187,000We have raised £42,000We have had an offer of £100,000 as long as we raise the additional £45,000 by March. Here’s the link for all the bank info. What we’d like is if any business would like to sponsor us or offer work (if they offer work then we can count that as money if t...

DURHAM BUSINESS RECOVERY GRANT SCHEME

To support local businesses in looking forward and meeting the challenge of recovery, Durham County Council has introduced a £5 million Durham Business Recovery Grant.  Open to businesses in all sectors located in the County, the grant is aimed at those with a credible plan to adapt and recover from the effects of COVID-19, but requiring financial support to implement their plan.The grants range from a minimum of £1,000 up to a maximum of £40,000 and are able to contribute 75% towards el...

THE LATEST NBSL BLOG . . .

In the latest NBSL blog you can read how NBSL and Elm Marketing Solutions have helped Apheya Animal Nutrition turn to online training support to increase knowledge of animal nutrition for the farming & feed trade.Apheya Animal Nutrition based in County Durham provides advice, training and technical services in animal nutrition to farmers, feed and food businesses and their associated support services across with UK & and abroad and as with so many businesses this year have adapted their support ...

COFFEE LOVERS CAN SAVE THE PLANET!

Save the planet one cup at a time with this 12oz reusable bamboo cup.  Made from sustainably sourced bamboo fibre, it’s environmentally friendly, extremely practical and ideal for drinking your morning coffee on the go!Get yours by clicking here.Plus, you can order coffee to your hearts content again - just click here!Bernhard & Carina, Durham Coffee...

R&D TAX CREDITS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

For many SMEs, the UK government’s research and development (R&D) tax credit scheme is available to help small businesses invest and progress into the next stage of their development.  This is done by offering tax relief on all qualifying R&D projects they’ve undertaken that have resulted in the discovery of something new that helps forward their business.Despite the scheme having been around for a number of years now, many small businesses are still completely unaware of what it is and...

2021: WHAT TO EXPECT IN TAX

The horrendous year of 2020 is behind us, so what do you need to prepare for in 2021?  There will be Brexit, Budgets, and new VAT rules on top of all the usual compliance challenges.  Please click here to read more.Sharron Skeen, Westwood Accountancy...

BEAMISH IN THE SNOW

A Photo of beautiful Beamish in the snow, taken by a member of our team at the museum. Thank you to everyone for your fantastic support during 2020.  We truly appreciate your amazing support, generosity and kindness, it really does continue to make all the difference.We’ll be keeping you updated on our social media and website as we continue to follow the government’s COVID-19 restrictions.  Thanks once again to you all and take care - we’re looking forward to welcoming you all b...

2021 - A YEAR OF ADVENTURE WITH WILLOW BURN HOSPICE

We would love to share about our new campaign for this year…. 2021 a year of adventure!Usually at this time of year we encourage you to give something up to raise funds for Willow Burn.  Not this year.  We reckon you've given up enough already in 2020. So instead, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to make 2021 a memorable one.  What better way to wave goodbye to 2020, than to plan a fun adventure for the New Year.After nearly a year of staying at home and sit...

BRENDA HAS SOME GREAT NEWS TO SHARE!

Brenda Beveridge Wills & Trusts Ltd. has some really good news for the start of 2021, we’ve expanded! Due to the continuing increase in business, I’m delighted to welcome our new Trainee Estate Planner, Karen Robinson who many of you will already know via local business connections. Karen is a great asset to the team and if you think there’s a resemblance, she’s my eldest daughter.We’re really looking forward to working together, providing great service to all of our clients and please...

GILLIAN'S TOP TIP FOR THE WEEK!

This weeks top tip from Gillian: A One-Minute Relaxation to help with StressPlease click here to watch Gillian's video....

OREO'S PROPERTY LEARNINGS FROM THE FIRST LOCKDOWN

7% reduction in city centre residential purchases as people moved into rural settings.Over 25% increase in rural and very rural residential purchases.Continued re-purposing of redundant city centre offices into residential use.We have fallen back in love with retail warehouse shops with their easier social distancing. Footfall maintained.Dog walks are a lot busier. She must be getting old as the other dogs all look like puppies… Following the announcement of a new UK Lockdown at 8pm Monda...

HELP US BUILD SELF-BELIEF IN YOUNG PEOPLE

Our aim is to help as many vulnerable young people as possible overcome their issues with self-belief, and fulfil their potential in life. At this difficult time, the most vulnerable young people in our society need our help more than ever.Covid 19 has set in motion a whole series of issues for young people.  Their deteriorating mental health is at the forefront of this. We are in a position to help.With your support, we can work with young people by intervening early and preventing their m...

THANK YOU TO PETER AT TYRES2U (NE) LTD!

And thanks for sorting out my winter tyres Peter - we've certainly needed them!Cheers Gary, 'Do Business' Network...

GEORDIES SIGNS GO FOR GROWTH IN NEW PREMISES

We have moved premises and remain operating.  With over 3000sqft, we have no problem with social distancing.  Give us a call on 01207 290 666 or click here to chat about all your signage and printing needs....

SPECIAL OFFER FROM PHIL BENTON PHOTOGRAPHY

All A4 Prints HALF PRICE - Now just £7.50!Just click here to visit my online shop and grab yourself a bargain.Phil, Phil Benton Photography...

DBN Diversified

In our first podcast interview Melanie Cant from Elm Marketing Solutions talks to Gary Scott from DBN about business before, during and after Covid-19 and what the future looks like for 'Do Business' Network.  Listen to the podcast here....

(COVID-19) CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS: WHAT YOU CAN & CANNOT DO

Monday 12th April: What’s changed Some of the rules on what you can and cannot changed on 12 April.  However, many restrictions remain in place.  You must not socialise indoors with anyone you do not live with, unless you have formed a support bubble with them, or another exemption applies.  You should continue to work from home if you can and minimise the number of journeys you make where possible.  You should get a test and follow the stay at home guidance&...

WE'VE GOT AN EXCITING NEW SERVICE COMING SOON!

2021 is going to be a HUGE year for us for a number of reasons, but for now, we want to talk to you about the new service we have coming up.  ‘Interactive Videos’ allow you (or your customers) to select specific options or follow specific narratives within a video itself; ensuring they stay engaged and have the sense of adventure, autonomy and freedom they’re looking for!Most notably seen in the ‘Black Mirror’ episode, ‘Bandersnatch’, this kind of video content is something th...

HAVE YOU BOOKED YOUR PODCAST YET?

Our podcasts are a great way to get to know other DBN Members and to tell your business story to a wider audience too.We currently have podcasts on our website with Gary, Joanne Rowland, Ruth Jacobs, Mags Bradshaw, Rachel Locke, Moira Barnes, James Ibbitson, Gillian Fortune, Richard Holden MP, Matthew Glover, Allison Dore, Jan Cook, Greg O'Connell, Bernhard Nausner, Charlotte Turner and Phil Benton. We've got many others recorded and they will be online soon. We'd love you to record a podcast wi...

DBN UPDATE (15th JANUARY 2021)

How are you all keeping?  Hopefully there’s light at the end of the tunnel but it’s not easy for small businesses right now.  Please get in touch with us if you need any advice, signposting or simply want a chat day or night.  You are very important to us and we’d like to help if we can. We have some exciting news. RTC North has invited us to deliver a series of business growth workshops next month which we’re calling Fit For The Future.  It’s all really practical s...

NORIKO'S LATEST CARTOON

"Morning Larks & Night Owls", Noriko Art...

DURHAM BUSINESS GROWTH GRANT

If you are a small or medium sized business based in an eligible postcode with plans to grow and potentially employ more staff, you may be eligible to access grant funding through the Durham Business Growth Grant.You could access up to 35% grant funding for business improvement projects.  The minimum grant we can pay is £1,000, so you must be planning to spend a minimum of £2,858 excluding VAT on eligible costs.  The maximum grant we can offer you is £2,000.The Durham Business Growt...