NORTHERN INSIGHT OCTOBER 2020 GBB. A BANK ON THE BUILD. business property media technology education motors fashion arts leisure issue 62 SPOT OUR ENGINEER... Our main goal is to increase your security without disruption to your business. Tyneside Security is proud to serve and protect the North East. We are a local company that has over 35 years experience of working with businesses to provide reliable, cost-effective protection against the threat of burglary and fire. We supply, install and maitain a suite of high quality security solutions for small and established businesses. SWITCH to us and SAVE 25% on monitored maintenance contracts in the first year! The North East’s Reliable Security Experts since 1982. Contact us for a free security and fire safety audit to see how we can help you save money. Call us on 0191 270 0808 or visit www.tynesidesecurity.co.uk Ask SB Oscar Wilde.qxp 24/01/2019 12:13 Page 1 #AskSB Nowadays people ‘‘ know the cost of Oscar Wil de, T he P everything ic tu re o f D o r i and the value of a n G r a ‘‘nothing y Least cost may seem attractive but doesn’t always equate with best value - it may be cheap, but does the quality reflect your own products or service? Silver Bullet: your truly integrated service Are you looking to inject some quality into your brand? Talk to us 0191 261 7422 [email protected] www.silverbulletmarketing.co.uk @SilverBulletPR @SilverBulletMarketingLtd @SilverBulletPR Since 1931 our family business, est.1888, has dedicated AGA displays, with all current models, col- supplied and installed AGA Cookers in homes our ranges and specialist AGA Cookshop. Our expert throughout the North East and Yorkshire. staff can demonstrate the workings of this renowned A We also supply a wide variety of high quality range cooker, and show why an AGA isMAKEmore than just a STATEMENT cooker and refrigeration brands for all kitchen styles Sicncoeok1e93r.1AosuRr afanmgiely CbuosoinkeesrsS, peset.c1i8a8l8is,tshaosur showroodemdiicsated AGA displays, with all current models, col- supplied and installed AGA Cookers in homes our ranges and specialist AGA Cookshop. Our expert and sizes. A North East company you can trust, our thfirolleugdhwouitththleeaNdoirnthgEcaosot akendr bYorarknsdhsiresu. ch as Wolf, staff can demonstrate the workings of this renowned team are dedicated to providing you the best advice, WLeaaclsaonscuhpep,lySateweild, eRavanrgieetymoaf hstigehDISCOVERr aqnuadlitFyarlacnogne. ESSEco OUTSTANDINGoker, and show why an AGA is m oQUALITYre than just a RANGE COOKERS price and service to ensure that you find the best coRoaknegr aenCdoreofrkigeersraatiroenoburarnladstefostr aldl kditictihoennfsotyANDrlethsis Spcri onREFRIGERATIONogk.er. As Range Cooker Specialists o ATur sh oWALTERwroom is DIX & CO appliances for your kitchen. Based in Gateshead, anWdesizaels.oAhNaovrethaEasset lceocmtiopannoyfyroeufrcigaenrtarutisot,noudrisplayfisllferodmwith leading cooker brands such as Wolf, just off the A1, our magnificent showroom has telaemadairnegdbedraicnadtesdStuobpZroevriod,inSgteyeoul athnedbKeistct ahdevnicAeid, Lacanche, Steel, Rangemaster and Falcon. ESSE price and service to ensure that you find the best Range Cookers are our latest addition for this Spring. appliances for your kitchen. BaSuperiorsed in Gate Refrigerationshead, We productsalso have a andselec tbeautifulion of refrige Rangeration dis pCookerslays from are available at Walter Dix & Co, just off the A1, our magnificentharnessingshowroom ha sthe latestl etechnologyading brands Swithub Ze modernro, Steel an andd Kitc htraditionalenAid styling to suit any kitchen. Visit our Gateshead showroom today to see our dedicated displays of range cookers, refrigeration, cookware, built-in appliances and extraction hoods, or contact us today. 1 Stirling Court, Eleventh Avenue North,Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0JF www.wdix.co.uk • [email protected] • 0191 482 0033 Visit our showroom today 1 Stirling Court, Eleventh Avenue NVoirstitho,uTresahmowVroaolmleyto, dGaayt1esShtirelinagdC, NouEr1t1, E0leJvFenth Avenue North, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0JF www.wdix.co.uk 0191 482 0033 www.wdix.co.uk 0191 482 0033 18 The Magazine 18 The Magazine FOREWORD Welcome to the October edition of Northern Insight. With continuing COVID 19 lockdown restrictions in place and business remaining challenging, I would firstly like to wish all of our loyal readers, clients and contributors the very best for what is sure to be a difficult Winter ahead. We are therefore very proud to bring you another buoyant edition packed full of great features, expert articles and interesting content. Our cover stars GBB, are a ground-breaking new bank who have chosen Middlesbrough 50 as their new headquarters. Amongst a plethora of business interviews we talk to Lucy Winskell OBE, who has been appointed Chair of the North East LEP Board. On our socially distanced travels we also take a trip to visit the Minster City, York, to discover the lovely Elmbank Hotel and Lodge. Within our ever growing health section we feature the latest expert comment from our award winning columnist David Fairlamb and enjoy the hot yoga experience for the first time. We hope you enjoy this issue. Stay safe and well. Till next month... Michael Grahamslaw, Publisher [email protected] CONTENTS OCTOBER 2020 Business News 8-9 Cover Story 10-11 GBB 82 Legal & Financial News 18 Community News 62 Property News 97 Commercial Property News 108 Media News 120 Technology News 142 Leisure News 166 Travel 182-183 Comment 202 CREDITS Managing Director - Michael Grahamslaw Design - Lu O’Rourke Accounts Manager - Lisa Grahamslaw Lead Photography - Simon Williams, Crest Photography Additional Photography - Laurence Sweeney 128 Editorial Contributors - Jack Grahamslaw, Holly Grahamslaw, Graham Courtney, Barry Speker, David Fairlamb, Alex Nelson, Sophie Swift Web Design - Mediaworks Social Media - Sophie Hannah, JAM Prints & Marketing Limited www.northern-insight.co.uk facebook.com/northerninsight @NInsightmag All photos are copyright MJG Publishing Ltd and are taken solely for use in Northern Insight. If you wish to purchase a photograph please contact Michael Grahamslaw on [email protected] Photo charges £50 for a single image, £295 for full buy out of a photo shoot. Advertising charges: There is a £25 charge for every set of amendments, following the first initial set of amendments, which are free of charge, for adverts designed by Northern Insight (MJG Publishing Ltd). Cancellations: If an advert is cancelled by the booker within a 7 day period prior to our print deadline, the advert will be charged in full, plus VAT. Editorial Advertisements Editorial contributions should include a stamped addressed envelope. No responsibility is accepted Although every care is taken to ensure accuracy the Publishers regret that they cannot accept for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission, responsibility for loss or damage caused by an error in the printing or damage to, a loss of artwork, or while in the Managing Directors or Printers hands. Editorial must be received by the 15th of tranparencies or photographs. Complaints will only be considered for up to a week after publication. the month or no responsibility is accepted for errors. Advertising must be received by the 20th of the month. No responsibility is accepted for errors. © 2020 Published by MJG Publishing Ltd 7 BUSINESS NEWS FINANCE DURHAM NEWCASTLE BUILDING FUND INVESTS £750,000 EURO GARAGES TO SOCIETY LANDS TOP IN GROWTH CAPITAL MAKE MULTI-MILLION INVESTORS IN PEOPLE VENTURES POUND INVESTMENT AWARD Finance Durham Fund, which was established by Durham County Council and overseen by Ashwood Business Park in Northumberland is The North East's biggest building society Business Durham, has recently announced the set to benefit from a £4 million investment from has been awarded the Platinum standard by investment of £750,000 in Growth Capital major international forecourt operator Euro Investors in People (IIP), the highest status that Ventures (GCV). Garages. can be achieved. The investment through Finance Durham, managed The company plans to build an 8,000 sq ft Newcastle Building Society was the first ever by Maven Capital Partners, will support GCV’s development on the site which will include a petrol building society to be awarded an IIP accreditation growth plans as it seeks to further develop its three filling station, convenience store and drive-through in 1993 and was most recently awarded a Gold main business units G-Labs, G-Ventures and Quva, Starbucks outlet, providing important amenities standard in 2017. Only the top 2% of businesses as well as move premises to larger offices within and services for local residents and passing trade IIP accredits are awarded Platinum, so colleagues County Durham. upon the busy A189. The investment will create at the Society are celebrating joining a rather Launched in 2015, GCV is an FCA authorised 50 full and part-time jobs, with a further 40 jobs exclusive club. fintech firm that helps investors build a diversified through construction work. Andrew Haigh, Chief Executive at Newcastle investment portfolio and supports entrepreneurs The 62-acre Ashwood Business Park was acquired Building Society, said: “We are delighted to have with raising capital to launch and scale high- by Advance Northumberland in 2018. The vision for been awarded with IIP Platinum accreditation. growth businesses. the site is to increase its presence as a new centre As the highest level of award,