Businesses shining a light on Durham

The council’s Business Breakfast offered the opportunity for heads of local companies as well as senior figures from business organisations to network before being shown a series of presentations about work taking place across the county.

The event was part of a wider campaign being run by the council, shining a light on the exciting opportunities available across the county for businesses looking to expand or start up here in Durham.

Guests included Artichoke, who gave an update on Lumiere, which returns to Durham from November 16 to 19, 2017, including how local businesses can be involved with the UK’s largest outdoor light festival and ResQ, a fast-growing customer contact firm that expanded from their base in Hull to Spectrum business park in Seaham.

They offered themselves as a case study showing how the uniquely supportive environment here in the county has helped them prosper as a business, including their announcement this summer that they will create 1,300 jobs at their Seaham base over the next three years.

Influential figures from a broad range of sectors also enjoyed seeing more about the county’s new place brand ‘This is Durham, Place of Light’, which has been developed by Visit County Durham, the destination management organisation core funded by Durham County Council.

Leader of Durham County Council, councillor Simon Henig, said: “The Place of Light brand is a unique way for us to promote the county as a great place to invest, live, work and meet.

“Durham Place of Light will be shining the spotlight on our wonderful county as a place we should all be proud of; a beacon to guide businesses, residents and visitors alike to this vibrant place.”

The event was held at Salvus House, the council’s £3.4million cutting-edge business incubator and office space, being managed by Business Durham, the authority’s economic development company.

This magnificent facility is home to a new collaborative partnership between the council, Durham University and New College Durham to support new entrepreneurial businesses who wish to locate in Durham City.

Established companies can rent parts of the 32,000 square feet of office space at Salvus House, but there is also incubation space, which can be rented by companies that are just getting started. Longer term it is hoped that these new companies will expand into offices on the Aykley Heads site.

Coun Henig added: “As a council we are leading the way in innovation when it comes to attracting new business to the county and supporting those existing businesses looking to expand here.

“The opening of Salvus House is just one example of how County Durham is fast becoming a beacon for business, attracting leading lights of their industries to locate here and in turn bringing investment, job security and business diversity to our county.”

For more information visit www.durham.gov.uk/PlaceofLight