Hundreds of businesses urged to tap into extended coronavirus funding scheme
More businesses are set to benefit from a financial support scheme set up to help them deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Durham County is widening the eligibility criteria for its local Discretionary Grants Fund so that hundreds more businesses can...
Seaham Hall Hotel in the running for top national tourism award
Three outstanding North East tourism businesses have been shortlisted in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2020, an event that champions the very best of the country’s tourism industry and celebrates quality, innovation and best practice. Seahouses bed and...
Affordable homes in Seaham to be improved under £8.5m believe housing scheme
More than 600 affordable homes across County Durham are in line for major improvements as part of a massive programme by believe housing. Streets in Bishop Auckland, Horden and Seaham are among those set to benefit from the £8.5m investment during the 2020/21...
HR ADVICE: Why financial education for employees can be good for business
The UK government has revealed plans to further ease lockdown restrictions in England. It is encouraging much of society to return to some sort of normality, in a COVID-secure way. Employers have been given the green light to bring remote workers back to the office...
Redundant land in Seaham turned into housing development by believe housing
A redundant site in the Parkside area of Seaham has been transformed with 48 new low-cost homes by a leading housing association. The 30 family homes and 18 bungalows have been built on a brown field site in Heathway by Seaham based believe housing. The last new...
New app showcases Seaham’s history and heritage to visitors
A new app will showcase the sites and stories of Seaham to visitors. Durham County Council have commissioned heritage app specialists At Creative to produce a smartphone app, aimed at encouraging locals and visitors alike to explore the history and heritage of Seaham....
Seaham’s Great Annual Savings Group to create 300 new jobs
A Seaham company has set an ambitious target to double its headcount this year. Seaham-based Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) has been on a rapid growth journey since its inception in 2012, reaching 300 employees at the start of 2020. After a 2015 move to Spectrum...
believe housing community fund extended to help with the recovery from coronavirus
A successful funding programme has been expanded to cover projects that will help communities recover from the coronavirus pandemic. County Durham-based believe housing has already distributed more than £20,000 of funding to coronavirus related projects. But now the...
Site manager overseeing Byron Heights development wins national award
A site manager, who is building new homes in Seaham, has won a prestigious national award for his work at a local housing development. Site manager at Bellway’s Byron Heights, Geoff Ward, has been named as the winner of a National House-Building Council (NHBC) Pride...
Next Peterlee and Seaham virtual event: Coronavirus loan schemes briefing
The next Peterlee and Seaham business park groups’ virtual event will take place on Thursday, July 16, at 11am. *** Link to book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-schemes-briefing-tickets-109608443806 *** Find out about some...
Jade Business Park welcomes new tenant
Japanese corporation, Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems Europe, is gearing up for growth after becoming the first tenant at a new County Durham business park. Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems Europe (SEWS-E), is expanding and relocating its workforce from its base at...
HR ADVICE: Managing holiday requests during the new normal
Like many aspects of people management, the process of managing holiday requests for employees has new “what if’s” involved due to the impact of coronavirus. Whilst some people might not want to take holiday during a lockdown, there are others keen to use their annual...
Council launches recruitment drive for 30 apprentices
More than 30 apprenticeship vacancies at a North East local authority will offer new career opportunities for people looking to earn as they learn. Durham County Council is recruiting apprentices across a wide range of occupations, with roles available from...
More than 3,000 vulnerable people supported by believe housing coronavirus fund
A specially created fund to assist communities during the coronavirus pandemic has helped to provide more than 3,000 meals for vulnerable people. The believe housing Coronavirus Crisis Fund was launched in May to provide targeted assistance to communities that were...
Twenty businesses attend virtual Network with your Neighbour event
Last week the Peterlee and Seaham business park groups held its third virtual networking event, which was attended by 20 businesses from across the region. The event was chaired by Guy Bashford from Business Durham and Leanne Fawcett from LEC Communications and...
Specsavers store in Seaham now reopen for routine testing
Specsavers stores in England, including the optical and audiology services in Seaham and Peterlee, have reopend for routine testing. This follows approval from NHS England, having operated an urgent and essential care only service throughout the COVID-19 restrictions....
Mental health charity receives £10,000 funding boost from believe housing
A successful mental health charity will be able to carry on supporting vulnerable people through the coronavirus pandemic thanks to funding from a leading housing association. Gilesgate based RT Projects has received £10,000 from believe housing to allow it to...
HR ADVICE: Has coronavirus widened the gender wage gap in your business?
The coronavirus job retention scheme has provided an immense level of support and a much-needed lifeline to UK businesses. It has undoubtedly helped to keep many people employed throughout the pandemic. But of the 8.4 million people currently on furlough leave, how...