Change of image bringing hundreds of jobs to Peterlee

That’s the claim from Business Durham’s Business Development Area Manager Joanne Urquhart-Arnold, with firms set to create up to 600 new posts over the next year, with a further 200 in the pipeline the following year.

Businesses including TRW, The AMA Group, Albany Assistance, Peterlee Glass and Bristol Laboratories have all outlined their intention to expand.

Joanne, who sits on the Peterlee Business Park steering group, said: “There’s a real positive vibe among the business community which is reflected in the recent announcements from a number of employers who are expanding and creating jobs.

“The steering group members, together with businesses, have worked incredibly hard to change perceptions of the area and raise its profile for the right reasons.

“Now I think there’s an acknowledgement that it’s not all doom and gloom here, that our businesses are growing and in the process creating jobs, bringing a huge boost to the area and its community.”

TRW plant manager Robin Finley said: “Our site is experiencing a substantial and sustained increase in demand for our products, which will see us undertaking major growth between now and 2018.

“We have already made 25 temporary staff permanent and expect a further 50 agency workers to be assuming TRW contracts over the coming months.

“In addition, we are creating around 20 engineering and technical positions which will see our workforce exceed 750 by the end of 2015.

“Looking at our projected growth, we expect our workforce will reach 1,000 by 2018.”