News Archives - Page 9 of 68 - North East Local Enterprise Partnership

A new community café has opened in Gateshead as part of the redevelopment of a former high street bank, creating new jobs and offering training for people who are long-term unemployed.

The Bank in Chopwell is a community-led enterprise and welfare centre which encompasses office space for small businesses, a community market and the newly-opened café.

It is one of 14 voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) projects supported by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)’s Local Growth Fund VCSE Capital Grant programme, receiving £100,000 towards the conversion of the former Lloyd’s bank building.

Jodie Barwick-Bell, Chair of Chopwell Regeneration CIO, which established and runs The Bank, said: “Local people have worked together to open The Bank as a warm and welcoming place in the heart of our community. Around 500 people a week are spending time in the building which is already having a significant impact in our rural village. We are hugely grateful to the North East LEP and all the other organisations who have supported us with this vital project.”

The café operates on a ‘pay what you feel’ basis and aims to bring revenue and visitors into Chopwell while also helping to address the issue of food poverty in the area, which has been exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis.

Five new members of staff have been recruited, including a chef, two front of house managers and a cleaner, and the café’s employability skills training programme began in April.

Upstairs from The Bank café, the office space is now home to five local organisations, while a programme of events includes coding workshops for young people, craft workshops and a pre-loved school uniform market.

The project has also already received a Bright Ideas in Health Innovation Award for ‘Making Healthier, Happier Places and Spaces’.

Helen Golightly OBE, Chief Executive of the North East LEP, said: “By awarding a total of £1.2 million in funding to VCSE projects in the North East, we aimed to support communities to recover from the impact of the pandemic and help create stronger, more sustainable local economies.

“The Bank is a wonderful example of this in action, combining a community space with programmes which support people’s mental health and skills development, as well as bringing new jobs to the area.”

The Bank Café is open Thursday to Saturday. Find out more at www.chopwell.org/bank.

Helen Golightly OBE, chief executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP), has praised the rigour, commitment and determination of the region’s business community in the North East LEP’s annual review.

Citing the North East’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, and the impact of the UK’s departure from the European Union, Helen reinforced how the North East LEP’s focused and evidence-driven approach has helped deliver a positive contribution to the regional economy following the impact of COVID-19 and EU Exit.

Helen also described how the North East Strategic Economic Plan has continued to provide the region’s economic direction of travel, laying the foundations for a stronger, greener and more inclusive economy for the North East.

Helen Golightly OBE, chief executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We remained delivery focused despite a national policy vacuum caused by delays to the Levelling Up White Paper and national LEP review.

“Throughout the year we have continued to develop our understanding of the labour market so we understand if our activity is working, or if we need to pivot or accelerate activities to meet changing circumstances and influence partners and government.”

During the 2021/22 financial year, the North East LEP published an interim evaluation of the North East Strategic Economic Plan, which assessed its effectiveness and impact, and implementation on the region’s economy. It shows the Plan is meeting its targets on job creation and better jobs, and moving in the right direction to reduce both the employment gap and the economic activity gap.

Helen said: “The evaluation gave us lots of recommendations to take forward and highlighted two positive points. It showed the North East LEP has excelled in providing leadership, influence, synergy and engagement around the Strategic Economic Plan. And our Local Growth Fund and Enterprise Zone programmes have, to date, indicated good to very good value for money.”

The North East LEP’s Annual Review also highlights some of the organisation’s key achievements over the last 12 months, including the work of the Business and Sector Growth team, who have provided support, advice and guidance to a large proportion of the region’s business community. In total, the North East Growth Hub delivered 23,987 business interventions over the past 12 months, and 96% of businesses surveyed were happy with the help they received, demonstrating the vital role Growth Hubs play in the regional business economy.

The North East LEP’s Skills team played a significant role in the national conversation around skills policy. Michelle Rainbow, Skills Director at the North East LEP, provided representation to the House of Lords Youth and Employment Select Committee, resulting in recommendations from the North East LEP being taken forward in the committee’s ‘Skills for every young person’ report (published November 2021). The North East LEP’s Skills team also hosted the launch of the 2022 National Careers Week, the first time the event has taken place in the North of England.

Key to driving more competitiveness and growth across the region, the North East LEP’s Innovation team secured £1.03m in funding to deliver two innovation programs: Innovation Delivery Partnership and Challenge North East.

Investment and funding programmes managed by the North East LEP also made an impact across the region in 2021/22. All £47m awarded to the North East LEP area through the Getting Building Fund has been fully committed against 20 capital projects, and the £10.5m invested from the Local Growth Fund has helped create 1,500 new jobs in the North East.

Helen continued: “This year, I was awarded an OBE for services to business and the regional economy. I am immensely proud and humbled to have been recognised in this way.

“I dedicated this honour to the whole North East LEP team because I feel so incredibly lucky to have people behind me who have commitment, passion and drive like no other – who strive to increase investment and improve skills, job opportunities and purposeful business support across the North East to improve the lives of others, because they want to do the right thing for a region that is so special to us all.

“I end this year feeling hopeful, confident and determined.”

See the annual review.

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s chief executive, Helen Golightly OBE, has commented on today’s regional labour market statistics, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Today’s release includes quarterly data for the North East region (for the period January to March 2022). The region includes the North East LEP area and Tees Valley.

Helen Golightly OBE, chief executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This month’s figures show a large increase in employment in the North East, with the total rising by almost 13,000 compared to the previous quarter.

“This increase is largely due to an increase in workers aged over 65. The position in other age ranges and on other key indicators we follow remains largely unchanged.

“We have seen continued growth in the number of payrolled employees, but this data excludes self-employed workers so provides an incomplete picture of the labour market. We have a continuing and distinctive challenge with North East unemployment and working age economic inactivity rates both being the highest in the nine English regions. The latter measures people who are not in work or actively seeking employment.

“Yet, employers in some of our key sectors like transport, digital and construction are struggling to find people with the right skills.

“This is a crucial and urgent conundrum for us to solve. As we face a future of higher living costs, a clear focus on helping people to secure higher paid and skilled employment will be good for our residents, build business confidence and be good for the region’s economy.”

A celebration event is being held to mark the completion of improvement works at a community garden in North Tyneside.

The Meadow Well Connected’s Community Garden, in North Shields, was awarded £54,612 from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)’s Local Growth Fund VCSE Capital Grant programme to create an outdoor learning space, offer training for local residents, and revitalise areas including its wildlife pond and greenhouses.

People are invited to join the celebration event at The Meadow Well Connected Community Garden on Tuesday 31 May to see the improvements and take part in activities.

Mandi Cresswell, Chief Officer, Meadow Well Connected, which runs the community garden, said: “This funding has given the garden a real boost with the chance to make significant structural improvements to the garden including upgrading the main poly tunnel, regenerating our raised beds, improving the pathways and creating a wonderful wildlife pond where nature can flourish. It’s testament to the hard work of our staff and volunteers, alongside support from Capita and other volunteers, and will create new habitats and green spaces for everyone to enjoy.

“We can’t wait to see how the garden continues to develop as we have big plans and we’d love more local people to get involved.”

The event will be opened David Bavaird, the High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear, and people can take part in garden crafts, sports activities and garden tours. There will also be an exhibition showing before and after pictures of the improvements made to the site.

Meadow Well Connected is one of 14 voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in the North East which were awarded funding from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)’s Local Growth Fund VCSE Capital Grant programme, which aims to help communities across the North East recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Helen Golightly OBE, Chief Executive of the North East LEP, said: “Over the last 18 months, this five-acre garden has flourished, with work placements and training giving people the opportunity to develop skills in landscaping and horticulture, plus a range of physical improvements including new pathways, raised beds for growing vegetables and a new wildlife pond.

“I’m pleased this funding has helped make sure Meadow Well Connected can continue to play a central role in the community and provide a place where people can learn new skills, connect with nature and connect with each other.”

Find out about other projects funded by the Local Growth Fund VCSE Capital Grant programme at www.northeastlep.co.uk.

The Meadow Well Connected Garden celebration event takes place between 12 noon and 3pm on Tuesday 31 May. Find out more at www.www.meadowwellconnected.org.uk.

Dragons’ Den star and founder of Crafter’s Companion, Sara Davies MBE, joined 99 North East entrepreneurs at Crowne Plaza Newcastle to celebrate the creation of 99 new jobs and 58 new, high growth businesses in the region.

Graduates of the High Potential Startups business accelerator programme – delivered by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) – the ‘North East 90’ joined Sara Davies MBE at a celebratory event with members of the wider North East business and startup community.

Of the pre-start entrepreneurs that joined the programme in the thick of the pandemic, 25 have already begun trading and a further 33 have incorporated new businesses. To date, the new businesses have generated £2.7 million in turnover and created 99 new jobs across the region.

Colin Bell, Business and Sector Growth Director at the North East LEP, said: “Having a great business idea, and then turning that idea into a reality, are two very different things.

“High Potential Startups was created to help entrepreneurs in our region really focus their ideas, and then with the help of industry experts, take their business to market.

“Starting a business can be an intimidating prospect, especially in the middle of one of the most disruptive times in modern history, but through High Potential Startups we were able to support participants to build robust and resilient business models, understand their customers, fill skills gaps, truly understand their business finance needs, and build the confidence required to step over the line and start their own business.

“The result has been the creation of 58 new, ambitious, and high growth North East startup businesses, and 99 new jobs.”

Some of the businesses that took part in High Potential Startups include South Shields-based OGEL, which has created the only patented building system in the world that uses recycled plastic. OGEL founder, Gary Giles, went on to appear on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, securing investment offers from two of the Dragons, including Sara Davies MBE. Since taking part in High Potential Startups, OGEL has created new jobs, secured new premises, invested in new equipment, and is focused on growing the business further.

bcausam, which has offices in Northumberland and Leeds, helps charities maximise their impact and fundraising potential using newly developed technology. The company is aiming to employ more staff at its Newcastle and Leeds offices before expanding into the US.

And clothing brand Saint Belle, created by Northumbria University graduate Isabella Dryden, is now stocked in Fenwick and will launch a new children’s wear collection in 2022.

Isabella Dryden, Founder of Saint Belle, said: “I’m so grateful that I experienced High Potential Startups. It changed my life. I got so much out of being given the encouragement, support and having someone to listen to your idea.”

Sara Davies MBE, Dragons’ Den star and founder of Crafter’s Companion, said: “As someone who has started and grown a business from scratch, I know how long and difficult the journey can be.

“It’s been so inspiring to meet the High Potential Startups entrepreneurs and hear how the programme has helped them build their own high growth businesses.

“Encouraging and nurturing business startups is vital for a growing economy, so it’s great to see my home region flying the flag for entrepreneurship. I wish every single business all the success for the future.”

North East entrepreneurs interested in starting a new high growth business in the region are encouraged to visit the North East Growth Hub and book an appointment with a North East Growth Hub Connector, or visit the Business Startup toolkit for support and advice.

Today’s statistical release includes quarterly data for the North East region (for the period December 2021 to February 2022). The region includes the North East LEP area and Tees Valley Combined Authority area.

Also included in the release are statistics for the North East LEP area and its local authorities for the calendar year of 2021.

Helen Golightly OBE, chief executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This month’s figures show the position in the North East economy is largely unchanged from the last quarter.

“There has been a recent small increase in the number of people working in the region, with about 2,300 more people in employment than in the previous quarter, and there was also a decrease of 4,900 in unemployment. However, the working age employment rate has fallen slightly, suggesting that much of the employment increase was among workers aged 65 plus.

“The North East employment rate remains the lowest among the nine English regions, with the unemployment rate and working age economic inactivity rate both being the highest. The latter measures the number of people not in work or actively seeking employment.

“And progress in the past year has not matched other areas of the country. As we recover from COVID-19, the North East is the only region with a significantly lower employment rate than a year earlier, and the largest increase in the economic inactivity rate over the period.

“Looking at local data for the last year, employment in the North East LEP area decreased more for women than men, and we have seen increases in economic inactivity across all working age groups in the North East. There has been a large growth in numbers citing looking after family or home as a reason for inactivity.

“However, there is an opportunity to do more to benefit the economy and boost employment, with employers continuing to report demand in the labour market and difficulties in recruitment.

“Energy prices, along with a range of other price rises, are going to increase costs for families and we urge government to focus invest into the North East to encourage more progress in the labour market.”

When a college and local business share a common goal, they can build a special working relationship that achieves exceptional results. The close partnership between AkzoNobel and Northumberland College has developed a whole-college approach to high quality careers guidance and a successful pathway into local employment.

A global manufacturer of paints and coatings, AkzoNobel opened a new factory in Ashington five years ago. Despite its international profile, the company recognised its responsibility to tackle the local challenge of long-term high unemployment in rural Northumberland. It identified a strategic objective to enhance careers education and ensure a future local workforce.

The North East LEP played a key role in establishing and cultivating the partnership between AkzoNobel and Northumberland College. Enterprise Co-ordinator Lucy Johnson laid the groundwork with an understanding of the needs and ambitions of both organisations. This ensured a positive and sustained match. The LEP facilitated discussions, fostering a mutual understanding of each other’s agendas, terminology and organisational structures. All sides recognised the immense benefits of a whole-college approach, with the full support of Vice Principal Vikkie Morton and with AkzoNobel joining the board of governors.

This unique partnership gave Director of Student Services Ruth Magnus and AkzoNobel Enterprise Adviser Alex Wardle the autonomy and scope to deliver an ambitious strategic careers plan. Ruth introduced Alex to the college’s relevant curriculum departments and student communities. A whole-college approach, says Ruth, provides learners with the best guidance and employer encounters, “from their first course of study through to their next steps into employment, apprenticeships or higher education.”

Working closely with Curriculum Director Robert Stewart, they identified areas where AkzoNobel could make positive interventions. For example, AkzoNobel used its industry knowledge, technical expertise and focus on lean techniques to introduce practical problem solving methodologies and theories on personality types into pastoral lessons.

Alex is an enthusiastic and engaged Enterprise Adviser who has devoted time to thoroughly understand how the college works. This dedication has given AkzoNobel insight into how they can best add value in preparing students for the world of work. “The right frame of mind is key”, says Alex. Students need to be encouraged to start thinking early about their career progression and to understand the behaviours and attributes employers are looking for.

The college is piloting a Reward and Recognition Scheme to emphasise employability skills. Over the year, AkzoNobel will run three masterclasses for Engineering and Construction students. The college will award students with a certificate based on their attendance and progression, as well as volunteering in the community. This certificate will be recognised by AkzoNobel and guarantee them an interview, demonstrating their readiness for the world of work.

Alex expects this scheme to expand into other curriculum areas, and Ruth would like to see it replicated across the Education Partnership North East, building similar relationships between Sunderland College and Hartlepool Sixth Form and local employers.

AkzoNobel also supports the college with workshops, one-to-one sessions and mock interviews, as well as site visits and work experience placements. Last month, Northumberland College held a successful career fair for National Careers Week, where students learned more about opportunities with AkzoNobel and other local employers.

Alex is a driving force in the expanding and deepening cooperation between the college and local business. She has been instrumental in bringing more employers and colleges together through her work with the Enterprise Adviser Network. By working collaboratively across colleges, this group of advisers has been able to share and promote best practice.

AkzoNobel now has former college students working at its Ashington site and sees more leavers applying. The partnership also contributes to job satisfaction and wellbeing at AkzoNobel. “Going into college and delivering a masterclass is not part of the normal job,” explains Alex, but it has led to greater engagement in the team. For example, when a new operator came for an interview, he remembered the site manager from a college visit. “It’s lovely for the employees to know they can have an impact, even if it is a couple of years down the line.”

Ruth reports significant improvement in soft skills at the college, including attendance. In addition, students have a more positive attitude on campus and are more engaged with their studies. This strong performance has followed through into work experience, with fewer placements breaking down due to attendance or attitude. Employer feedback also shows greater satisfaction with students.

“Education feeds industry”, says Alex, and “it’s absolutely the right thing for business to support the college and in the past, we have let that relationship drift apart.” Ruth agrees: “Our courses need scrutiny from business to keep them relevant and up-to-date.” This engagement is essential to ensure students have the values and skills for a successful career. “It is necessary,” says Alex, “if businesses want to be sustainable, with a future ready workforce. It is the only answer.”

Find our more about the North East LEP’s Enterprise Adviser Network, and how your business can support careers education in the region.

There is no doubt that recent statistics have been challenging across the economy.

Trade statistics have been volatile as we have seen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and new controls on exports to Europe, and more recently the impact of the war in Ukraine.

Last year, partners in the North East published the North East Trade and Export Strategy with the aim of making trade a key part of our recovery. The North East LEP’s Director of Policy and Strategy, Richard Baker, explains more.

Every month UK Trade Info releases data on goods exports from each region of England. Recent releases have showed the impact of the pandemic and new trade regulations, with total exports from the North East region (which covers both the North East LEP area and Tees Valley) falling in each of the first three quarters of 2021. The good news is that the latest release has seen a turnaround with a growth of 5% in quarter 4.

We’re not alone in this – many regions of England have seen fluctuating figures. We can expect more volatility as the impact of the war in Ukraine impacts trade and increases costs.

Beneath the headline figures though are some positive stories on which to build, with growth in exports of pharmaceuticals and energy related products. And there are signs of recovery in road vehicle exports, although these remain lower than two years ago and there is also evidence of strengthening service exports from the region.

The North East Trade and Export Strategy

When the North East LEP, Chamber of Commerce and Department for International Trade developed the North East Trade and Export strategy last year, we carried out a consultation with hundreds of businesses and sector bodies. We knew that people were finding things tough, with changes to the trading and regulatory environment compounded by COVID-19.

Addressing this effectively is crucial. It is estimated that exporting supports over 165,000 jobs in the region and evidence clearly shows that businesses that trade internationally are more competitive, faster-growing and more successful. Building trade is therefore central to our recovery as a region. That’s what we want for businesses in the North East, and we’ll continue to work together to make sure North East businesses benefit from global markets.

Working together

The North East Trade and Export Strategy identifies our exporting strengths as a region and identifies key markets around the world where there is demand for our products and services. It identified ways to bring the sponsor organisations together to put their resources behind work into these key sectors and markets – and this is illustrative of the way we are continuing to work together looking forward.

Within the region, the North East LEP and the DIT team based at the Chamber of Commerce are working hard and collaborating to provide support to individual businesses. Alongside the free advice and support from DIT’s International Trade Advisers, examples of direct support to businesses include forthcoming trade missions to Ireland, Portugal and the USA. The ongoing Export Academy programme is also helping local companies take their first steps in exporting. Alongside this, over £1m of grants has been awarded to local companies from the DIT Internationalisation Fund to help them promote their products and services to overseas markets. This is helping North East businesses internationalise their websites and marketing materials, travel to overseas markets, exhibit at international trade fairs and get external expertise to help them with their exporting activity.

The North East Growth Hub continues to provide a point of information about trade activities in the region, including forthcoming events, training and trade missions being organised by the DIT.

As the DIT team at the Chamber is absorbed into the Department for International Trade following the publication of the UK Trade Strategy, we will work together to offer a more joined up service in the region and strengthen the focus of events and networking to promote exporting.

Nationally, the clear proposition in our strategy, and our partnership around its development, has been able to create regular opportunities to discuss with government what’s needed in the North East and show what our businesses have to offer international markets.

In the last few weeks alone we’ve met with the Secretary of State for International Trade, and with the DIT team, delegates from central America, and the Kuwaiti Ambassador – all opportunities to speak about our approach and develop new relationships for our region.

Changes to the international trading landscape

Clearly, the international trading landscape has changed for the UK and we are working to make sure that the North East is not only positioned to take advantage of new Free Trade Agreements and growing markets in North America, Asia and the Gulf states, but that we are also supporting North East businesses to continue their trade with Europe.

And as FTA’s are developed, we are working together with partners in the region to try to shape them. Recently we made a joint submission to the DIT about the priorities the North East would like to see in the forthcoming trade deal with the Gulf Co-operation Council. We will do the same for future trade deals looking next at the deal with Canada.

As deals are signed, we’ll be providing the support businesses need during this transition to a new international environment and making sure we’re proactive in grasping opportunities.

Keeping North East businesses updated

Over the coming weeks and months you will hear from teams at the North East LEP and the DIT with more updates about the latest trade data and the range of work that is going on to help North East businesses trade strongly.

Whilst we can expect there to be continuing challenges in the data, we will be working hard to provide support to businesses in the region and take the opportunities we can see in the future.

Support and information on international trade is available on the North East Growth Hub: www.northeastgrowthhub.co.uk.

The North East Trade and Export Strategy is available at North East Trade and Export strategy

Businesses across Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside have been asked to rise to the Challenge and help the region tackle some of the biggest problems facing our economy and community.

A new £800,000 open innovation project has been launched at the region’s longest running Innovation Conference, VentureFest North East. The project is funded through the North of Tyne Combined Authority’s Investment Fund and delivered by the North East LEP in partnership with Innovation SuperNetwork.

Aimed at providing a gateway for the region’s small and medium-sized businesses to solve the problems facing bigger companies and society as a whole, Challenge North Tyne seeks to generate innovative responses to problems in three key areas. It builds on the North East LEP’s work with Challenge North East, which helped bring about solutions in the face of Covid-19.

Alan Welby, Innovation Director at the North East LEP, said: “People often think innovation is something only big businesses can do, but that’s simply not the case. Our region’s SME community is constantly creating new ways of doing things, of problem solving and we want to harness that creativity to tackle some of the greatest challenges facing the growth of our economy.

“We’re seeking new and innovative ways to address the climate change emergency, and reduce the carbon footprint of our buildings and workplaces. We also want to work with SMEs to explore how we can embed 5G within all areas of our economy and harness the opportunities it provides for increased productivity and connectivity. And we also want to look at how we can help the older population across North of Tyne live longer, happier and healthier lives.

“Innovation has a huge role to play in solving societal issues and our businesses have the entrepreneurial nature and collaborative spirit to respond to the challenge – something which was clearly demonstrated during the first phase of our Challenge North East project.”

Challenge North Tyne was launched as part of VentureFest North East’s online programme on Thursday 31 March, bringing together a successful collaboration to demonstrate the benefits of small and large enterprises coming together to innovate.

Dr Jackie Gray took part in the discussion after she stepped up to the challenge with The Carents Room in response to a call from Northern Gas Networks (NGN). As a support platform for individuals caring for elderly relatives, The Carents Room and NGN were able to explore innovative new solutions to help NGN better respond to the needs of vulnerable customers, as part of Challenge North East last year.

Speaking of the experience, Jackie said: “Collaborating with NGN on their work through Challenge North East has been a real catalyst for The Carents Room. It has enabled us to scale-up by helping us focus on the market for our innovation and develop key relationships, not just with NGN but also their national energy network partners, including Cadent Gas. I’d encourage other entrepreneurs, innovators and businesses who could have the skills, experience or ideas to help solve these problems, to get involved. You won’t regret it and could gain a lot in return!”

Sarah Cox, Innovation Challenge Programme Director at Innovation SuperNetwork, said: “Globally, nationally and regionally, we’re faced with increasingly complex problems. Mission-led innovation helps us to focus on the challenges we face as a society, and where we have the potential to have the biggest positive impact. Our aim is to bring the right people together to help drive change.

“This programme is designed to build on what we achieved through Challenge North East to scope three more challenges where solutions could have real impact regionally. We’re urging any businesses who feel they could help shape these problems, or would like to get involved with developing solutions, to register their interest.”

The project is exploring three themes in the Challenge development stage, these are:

Building a Sustainable Future – How might we reduce the carbon footprint of buildings in North of Tyne?
Supporting our Ageing Population – How might we better enable healthy, happy living for our elder citizens?
5G Connectivity – How might we deliver 5G enabled solutions for North East Industry?

In phase one, the programme will be shaping the challenges in collaboration with business, with grants made available for solution development in phase two.

Businesses can register their interest by emailing [email protected]

Category: News

Community café opens, creating new jobs in Gateshead

North East LEP celebrates determination of region’s businesses in annual review

North East LEP comment on ONS labour market statistics

Celebration event marks completion of improvement works at community garden

Sara Davies MBE celebrates inspirational achievements of North East entrepreneurs

North East LEP reaction to ONS regional labour market statistics

An outstanding college business partnership in Ashington

Building our recovery through trade

Call for North Tyne businesses to tackle region’s key problems through innovation challenge