By Martin Walker
The instigator behind Aycliffe Business Park’s exciting new community group has revealed how he’s making progress in helping to tidy up areas of the industrial estate – including the disgraceful former Sanyo site.
It was the original idea of Finley Structures managing director John Finley to set up the new Aycliffe Business Park group.
With the help of Business Durham, Mr Finley pulled together a handful of local companies, with the original intent of improving the appearance of the business park.
The main direction of the group has since evolved, to primarily improve communication between businesses with the launch of www.aycliffebusinesspark.co.uk – a free business directory for companies residing on the park.
But Mr Finley, like a dog with a bone, has continued in his efforts to make the park more visually attractive.
And in his guest foreword for the latest Aycliffe Today Business magazine, Mr Finley has revealed that he has persuaded Vine Properties, landowners of the former Sanyo site, to “sort out” the now derelict site which has become an eyesore.
“I feel quite passionately about improving the surroundings in which we work,” wrote Mr Finley in the February issue of our B2B magazine.
“Members of the group have been given different areas of responsibilities and mine has been to try and improve the appearance of the park, by getting overgrown grass cut and flower beds installed.
“We’ve managed to persuade the landowners to tidy up a lot of areas and Vine Properties have agreed to sort the old Sanyo site as well, so we’re making in-roads with the relevant people to try and enable us all to get more for our money.
“As you can see, we’re trying to do our bit.”
Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson helped to launch www.aycliffebusinesspark.co.uk during a special event at the Xcel Centre last week.
Mr Finley added: “I’m sure the new website and free directory will provide us all with a very welcome facility to improve awareness of all companies and communication between us all.”