Member Article

Durham businesses urged to build on Ashes fever

Durham County Council is urging businesses to take advantage of the global opportunities possible following the widely-acclaimed hosting of the Ashes test match in Chester-le-Street.

The cricket was the latest in a line of major events in the county, along with the on-going Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition and the upcoming Lumiere festival, which are expected to generate over £25m for the local economy.

With local companies benefitting from the boost, Dr Simon Goon, the new managing director of Business Durham, Durham County Council’s business gateway, is calling on local businesses to strike now on lucrative export markets.

“The test match was not only important for culture and the visitor economy but also for businesses small and large,” said Dr Goon.

“This is the latest in a series of great news for businesses in the county and we’re urging them all to take advantage of County Durham’s latest successes on the world stage.

“Business Durham is committed to supporting growth and encouraging investment in local companies and the worldwide coverage gives us a moment not to be missed.”

The call comes hot on the heels of the takeover of the RFMD factory at Newton Aycliffe by American company Compound Photonics. T

he move, facilitated by Business Durham, saved 78 jobs, as well as the factory itself, with plans to increase the workforce to 200.

The company joins over 250 other businesses already on Aycliffe Business Park, employing more than 8,500 people in the region.

This increase will bring the figure for jobs secured and created to over 3,500 in the last three years alone.

On the nearby Merchant Park, Business Durham have also played a key role in Hitachi’s decision to invest £82m in a brand new facility where the next generation of trains will be built as part of a £1.2bn Government contract.

Companies can find out how Business Durham can help them cash in on the global opportunities and take advantage of their dedicated help to support growth and investment by calling 03000 261261.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .