Member Article

County Durham businesses offered chance to shape area’s future

Businesses are being invited to help shape the future of their industrial landscape by joining the Peterlee Business Park Group, which is celebrating its first anniversary.

The group was set up to generate growth and establish a stronger, unified voice for the area.

Peterlee Business Park Group was established by Business Durham to encourage companies across Peterlee’s four industrial estates and two business parks to share ideas, best practice and identify future opportunities, which will strengthen the area’s offering regionally, nationally and internationally.

Since being set up 12 months ago, its focus has been to address and resolve issues including traffic congestion, road markings, illegal parking, litter, fly tipping, dog fouling and broadband connectivity in the area. As it enters its second year, the group aims to turn its attention to supporting business growth and increasing membership so more companies across the area benefit.

The group’s next meeting is on Thursday, October 24, from 8.30am to 10.30am at The Employability Trust on the South West Industrial Estate.

Business Durham managing director Dr Simon Goon will be speaking at the meeting to highlight the group’s achievements in its first 12 months and outline the aims and challenges for the next chapter.

He said: “Peterlee is home to dozens of successful companies, from the well known multi-nationals like Caterpillar and NSK to the smaller firms which have their roots firmly in the area.

“By working together, and with our support, they can really put Peterlee on the national and international map, encouraging businesses elsewhere to give real consideration to expanding into the area.

“We know success breeds success and by having a united voice, this area will benefit massively.”

Businesses who attend the next meeting will be given the chance to network over breakfast and find out more about the County Durham Plan and the vision for East Durham between now and 2030.

Richard Egginton is Business Systems Manager at manufacturing firm Sotech Ltd, which has been a member of Peterlee Business Park Group since its launch in 2012.

He said: “It was quite clear from an early stage that local businesses had a number of issues they felt needed to be addressed, but independently could not do a great deal about them.

“However, by joining together and with support from Durham County Council we’ve been able to resolve them which makes for a better, more successful business environment.”

If you wish to attend the next meeting of the Peterlee Business Group contact Liam Goodfellow, Business Development Support Assistant at Business Durham, on email liam.goodfellow@durham.gov.uk or call 03000 261176.

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