A personalised service which helps people with disabilities and mental health needs find work has received the highest possible rating in an independent inspection. Durham County Council’s DurhamEnable service was graded as ‘Excellent’ in an audit carried out by the British Association for Supported Employment after receiving a total...

By Paul Blythe A round-up of football from Newton Aycliffe Junior Section. Under 7’s – Played Stockton Town, in an entertaining game, Lewis scored a penalty. With changes to the team in the second half, it didn’t disrupt Aycliffe and Cooper scored Aycliffe’s second. Archie then saved a penalty brilliantly. Under 8’s Reds –...

Former Big Brother winner Anthony Hutton, who also owns a hair salon in Darlington, has launched a campaign to encourage men to speak up about their mental health, following his own battle with depression. The 41-year-old introduced his ‘Never throw in the towel’ campaign in a presentation at Newton Aycliffe-based manufacturing firm BTS...

Teesside University’s London campus is now complete and was showcased to potential students during an open day for those looking to study in the capital. Several hundred students are now studying at Teesside University London, with a fresh intake enrolling this month. And, this week, visitors were invited to an open day to find out more...

Durham County Council is combining artificial intelligence (AI) and a surplus food scheme to help feed families while reducing food waste. The local authority is delivering a meal kit scheme through its nurseries to help families facing difficulties with the cost of living. Working in partnership with supplier FareShare North East, the...

In a new feature from Aycliffe Business, we get to know different personalities from around Aycliffe Business Park with 20 personal questions. In the latest issue, we feature NC Group executive director Lee Childs... 1: What was your favourite subject at school? A: Tough one – either PE or engineering. I really enjoy anything practical...

The first phase of a long-term strategy to ensure County Durham has a thriving and inclusive economy will be considered by councillors. The County Durham Inclusive Economic Strategy, developed by the County Durham Economic Partnership, sets out a bold and ambitious vision for the county’s economy to 2035, creating the conditions for more and...

BTS Facades and Fabrications managing director Phil Atkinson on how consulting with their employees is reaping rewards… For the past two years we’ve been experimenting with the ‘Stakeholder Model’, which ultimately means nurturing and guiding our team closely to help achieve our overall business goals. We have adapted our company’s...

Visitors to the UK’s largest light festival are being urged to plan their journeys in advance. Lumiere is set to illuminate Durham City and Bishop Auckland from Thursday, November 16, to Sunday, November 19, with tens of thousands of people expected to attend the spectacular four-day event. The festival, commissioned by Durham County...

Tony Cullen, property fund manager at FW Capital, explains how commercial property developers can access finance for speculative and non-speculative sites in the North-East… Funding is the lifeblood of any development and the decrease in financial support from mainstream lenders is continuing to cause problems for commercial property...