North East Ambition Business Bulletin August 11th 2021

General UK and North East business news Encouraging statistics from Azets shows 68% of SMEs feeling positive about the UK’s economic outlook. Also 56% of SMEs expect to recruit more staff during the next year: https://dailybusinessgroup.co.uk/2021/08/sme-optimism-high-though-north-south-split- emerges/ Reed has reported a rise in jobs that advertise working from home compared with before the pandemic: Working from home job adverts rise - BBC News Bdaily looks at how the North East has emerged as the driving force behind the transition to Net Zero: How the North East has emerged as the driving force behind the transition to Net Zero | Bdaily The North saw a fifth month of growth in the NatWest North East Business Activity Index but it was the lowest rate in : Growth continues in North East economy but other regions pull away - Business Live (business-live.co.uk)

A North East consortium has secured £2m funding to encourage investment in the region’s SMEs: SME investment boost as North East consortium secures £2m funding | Bdaily

More than 900 jobs have been created or safeguarded in the last year on the back of a £134m investment boost aided by North business investor FW Capital: Hundreds of jobs created and protected in £134m North investment boost by FW Capital - Business Live (business-live.co.uk) A £1m-backed digital bootcamps programme has been launched in the region to address the skills shortage and boost job creation: North East digital bootcamps launched to tackle skills shortage and boost job creation - Business Live (business-live.co.uk) According to leading figures in the automotive industry, Britishvolt’s new gigafactory could be a ‘game changer’ in creating a new generation of economic development in the region: https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/people/britishvolt-gigafactory-could-be- north-east-honey-pot-3339475 General North East events Procurement Surgery with Garry Stone | NEPO – 18th August. Providing organisations with the opportunity to virtually meet with an independent tendering professional for an hour of one-to-one free support. Procurement Surgery with Garry Stone | Growth Hub

Procurement Surgery with Melanie Carr | NEPO – 18th August. Providing organisations with the opportunity to virtually meet with an independent tendering professional for an hour of one-to-one free support. Procurement Surgery with Melanie Carr | Growth Hub

Export Academy | Department for International Trade – 24th August. Help your business sell internationally. Export Academy

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Institute of Directors Online Global Conference - Connecting the World | Institute of Directors – 2nd & 3rd September. An online global conference to discuss how we can tackle the economic recession caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Institute of Directors Online Global Conference - Connecting the World | Growth Hub

North East Member Discussion | CBI – 7th September. An opportunity for you to share your experiences and gain key political and economic insights from expert speakers. North East Member Discussion | CBI

People and Skills Network (North East) | CBI – 7th September. Discussing the future of hybrid working. People and Skills Network (North East) | CBI

Digital Business Meetup – Digital Health | KTN – 8th September. For SME’s with new ideas and solutions for the health, social care or wellbeing sectors. Digital Business Meetup - Digital Health | KTN

Accelerating Investment and Innovation Summit | Innovation Super Network – 23rd September. Building connectivity between the region's businesses and the investor community. Accelerating Investment and Innovation Summit

Digital Business Meetup – Sustainability | KTN – 20th October. For SME’s with ideas and solutions that can bring new positive change to the environment. Digital Business Meetup - Sustainability | KTN

Digital Business Meetup – Next Generation Services | KTN – 24th November. Share innovation stories and network with other businesses to spark new collaborations. Digital Business Meetup - Next Generation Services

Lunch Networking Events | Network B2B – weekly. Find your local meeting location to network over lunch. Networking Lunch Meeting Tips & Events | Network B2B

Northumberland Aldi is looking for 99 new workers at its Northumberland store between now and Christmas: https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/business/consumer/99-aldi-jobs-up-for-grabs-in- northumberland-and-how-to-apply-3339347 New wedding venue Halton Grove has launched and taking bookings for weddings from next summer: ‘Romantic woodland’ wedding venue launches in Northumberland | Bdaily Bookmakers Chisholm expects trading to return to normal levels even though the firm was hit by the pandemic: Chisholm Bookmakers expect trading to bounce back despite pandemic hit - Business Live (business-live.co.uk) The Northumberland Gazette looks at how marketing consultancy Simonside used some of the available support programmes in the North East in order to enable her business to grow: https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/business/support-from-business-northumberland- helps-simonside-marketing-consultancy-bridge-skills-gap-3331248

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Northumberland events Hexham Business Networking Breakfast | Network B2B – every Tuesday. Speak to friendly professionals from all sectors and share business advice. Hexham Business Networking Breakfast

Walk the Wall | Entrepreneurs’ Forum – 26th August. Members of the Entrepreneurs' Forum can enjoy a walk and socialise. Walk the Wall - Entrepreneurs’ Forum

South East Northumberland Business Networking | Business Northumberland – 21st September. Meet other local businesses as well as representatives from Business Northumberland and learn more about the free support available to your business. Online Networking: South East Northumberland Business Networking

North New energy consultancy National Utility Hub has moved into Quorum Park with the plan to recruit around 100 people by the end of the year: New Tyneside energy consultancy to create scores of jobs after move into Quorum Park - Business Live (business-live.co.uk) Manufacturing group Pryme Group has merged with two Scottish companies to form a business with broad capabilities for the energy, defence and industrial markets: Tyneside firm Pryme Group merges with Scottish industrial companies - Business Live (business- live.co.uk) events Tynemouth Business Networking Breakfast | Network B2B – every Tuesday. Speak to friendly professionals from all sectors and share business advice. Tynemouth Business Networking Breakfast

North Tyneside Business Networking | Network B2B – every Thursday. Speak to friendly professionals from all sectors and share business advice. North Tyneside Business Networking Event

Speed Networking VWorks | Village Hotel – 29th September. Come enjoy some Business-To-Business Speed Networking. Speed Networking VWorks

Newcastle Global technology specialist Thoughtworks has announced plans to open a new office in Newcastle – creating 100 new jobs: Global tech firm to create 100 North East jobs with new UK office | Bdaily Plans have been submitted for a new community centre near Newcastle that could create more than 100 jobs: Plans submitted for job-creating community centre near Newcastle | Bdaily

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WL Distillery is to launch a new store at STACK Newcastle as part of its growth plans: Gin distillery raises glass to growth with Newcastle city centre premises | Bdaily Digital and media agency, Bonded, has launched with the aim of more human connection between brands and their customers: Media leaders launch Newcastle digital agency based on human connection | Bdaily

Newcastle International Airport will see budget airline Ryanair open a new base at the airport in 2022. The base is expected to directly create 60 jobs as well as supporting a further 400: Jobs and travel boost for region as Ryanair to launch $200m base at Newcastle Airport | Bdaily

Newcastle business Nurserytime has acquired three children’s day nurseries with 11 new jobs created: Newcastle nursery group acquires three new sites with six-figure funding | Bdaily

Housebuilder Bellway has reported revenues up to near pre-pandemic levels due to a strong demand for housing: Housebuilder Bellway toasts record forward order book as revenues rise 41% - Business Live (business-live.co.uk)

Newcastle events Friday Night Dine & Bowl | Entrepreneurs’ Forum – 20th August. Members of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum can enjoy a night of bowling with fellow professionals. FRIDAY NIGHT DINE & BOWL - Growth Hub

Developers Network - North East | White Box - The Developers Network – 26th August. A monthly networking event from White Box Property Solutions for a chance to interact with active property developers & investors. Developers Network - North East (Newcastle)

Women's Property Group Evening Meeting | Women’s Property Group – 27th August. An opportunity to dine with women in the property sector and discuss opportunities. Women's Property Group Last Friday of the Month Evening Meeting

The Secret Tower Breakfast Networking Event | Jacksons Law – 9th September. Enjoy breakfast and networking in a relaxed setting with other like-minded professionals. The Secret Tower | Breakfast Networking Event

South Tyneside A huge B&M store has opened in after expanding into the town’s empty Debenhams unit: https://www.shieldsgazette.com/business/huge-bm-store-opens-in-south- shields-after-expanding-into-towns-empty-debenhams-unit-3337501 Land at Harton Quay Park and South Shields ferry terminal has been put up for lease with the hope of a new café development to take over the site: https://www.shieldsgazette.com/business/vision-for-new-rileys-fish-shack-style-cafe-or-diner- by-south-shields-riverside-as-amazing-plot-of-land-goes-up-for-lease-3337163

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South Tyneside events Business Networking | Network B2B – every Friday. Speak to friendly professionals from all sectors and share business advice. South Shields Virtual Networking

Gateshead US chicken restaurant Slim Chickens, is to open its first branch in Gateshead’s Metrocentre on the 19th August – creating 50 new jobs: US chicken chain creates 50 jobs as first North East branch ‘chicks-in’ to Metrocentre | Bdaily

Tech consultancy Advantex is showing positive signs of recovery after winning £1m of new work: "Positive signs" for Gateshead tech consultancy with £1m of new work | Bdaily

Gateshead events

ATOMICON 2021 - UKs Leading Small Business Conference | Atomic – 9th November. Hosted at the Sage in Gateshead, a conference with an all-star line-up. ATOMICON 2021 - UKs Leading Small Business Conference

Sunderland

Motor retailer Pullman Group is opening its third ŠKODA site and creating new jobs in Sunderland: North East automotive retailer opens up new Sunderland dealership | Bdaily

Customer service outsourcing firm Kura has created 100 new roles at its Sunderland base: Outsourcing firm creates 100 new Sunderland jobs with latest recruitment drive | Bdaily

Sunderland events

Washington Network Event | Network B2B – every Tuesday. Speak to friendly professionals from all sectors and share business advice. Washington Networking Event

North East Automotive Expo 2021 | North East Automotive Alliance – 30th September. Reconnecting the region's automotive sector. North East Automotive Expo 2021

Durham Offshore specialist Tekmar Group is to supply its cable protection system to the Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea, Germany: Tekmar Group wins deal to supply cable protection to major Baltic Sea project - Business Live (business-live.co.uk)

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Workwear company Industrial Workwear is planning to build a new factory and create up to 30 new jobs: Industrial Workwear to create 30 new jobs following a boost in business - Business Live (business-live.co.uk) More than 100 jobs are available at Aldi in County Durham between now and Christmas: https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19500432.jobs-aldi-chester-le-street-durham- darlington/ Durham events Stand up and be Counted | North East Chamber of Commerce – 19th August. An opportunity to sell your business, raise your profile and meet new contacts. Stand up and be Counted

DBN Wag & Walk Meeting | Do Business Network – 20th August. Bring your dog for a walk with other DBN members. DBN Wag & Walk Meeting

East Durham Business Network Relaunch | Peterlee Business Park – 22nd September. Face-to-face networking with other members of East Durham’s business community. East Durham Business Network relaunch

DBN Cuppa & Cake | Do Business Network – 15th October. An opportunity to network with other DBN members over tea and cake. DBN Cuppa & Cake

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