Category: Business

And for those who are fans of having a real spruce in their living room, that means heading out to forests or farms to find the perfect tree. Whether you’re grabbing one this weekend or opting to wait until we get a little closer to December 25, we’ve rounded up five places in and around…

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she had accepted recommendations from the Low Pay Commission so that those on low incomes are “properly rewarded” for their work. From next April, the National Living Wage will rise by 4.1% to £12.71 an hour for eligible workers aged 21 and over, which the Government said will increase gross annual…

R & P Flower House, run by Rebecca Eldrett and Alyssa Findlay, has relocated to the chapel at Duncombe Cemetery in Ferryhill. The move comes after responding to an advertising campaign for vacant properties by Ferryhill Town Council. Rebecca Eldrett and Alyssa Findlay, co-owners of the business, said: “We are absolutely delighted to continue our…

Gateshead-based OES Group, which provides advanced solutions for fouling and corrosion in maritime, renewable energy and port infrastructure, has secured a £5.5 million export contract with a Belgian company. The deal, which will see OES supply technology to extend the lifespan of offshore wind farms, was supported by a trade loan of up to £2.5…

Our readers have nominated their favourite coffee shops in Darlington and County Durham, filling our list with an exciting variety. From Monday (November 24), readers can vote using the slip in The Northern Echo, and each day we will feature one of our amazing finalists until voting closes on Wednesday, December 10. Votes will then…

Adam Gray, from Norton, has launched The Car Buying Coach UK, an independent service that helps drivers across the country purchase vehicles with confidence through unbiased, expert guidance. Mr Gray said: “Buying a car can feel overwhelming. Adam Gray on the road (Image: Supplied) “There are endless options, confusing finance terms, and pressure from dealers….

Durham-based Wave has acquired the assets, intellectual property, and patents of Cambridge water-sensing technology company Infersens, known for its systems that help manage Legionella risk in water supplies. The deal follows a two-year partnership between the two companies, funded by the Market Improvement Fund, which supported the deployment of 1,000 remote flow and temperature sensors…

From an experienced chemist taking on the offshore paint industry to a Darlington mum-of-four vying to break into new markets with her ball-projecting machine, the Tees Valley Labs Stable programme has welcomed 24 business owners to the scheme. Designed for entrepreneurs, start-ups, and scale-ups, Tees Valley Labs gives expert guidance and mentorship to business owners….

The peri-peri chicken business said it is accelerating its British restaurant openings as it reported stronger sales and profits for the past year. However, it also flagged that increased cost pressures, after tax and wage increases in April, will affect its performance for the current financial year. 14 new Nando’s restaurants to open across UK The…

St Bega’s Catholic Primary School in Hartlepool and St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School in Ormesby will continue taking part in The Power of Women (PoW) Primary School Programme after receiving £2,500 from UKSE’s Community Support Fund. The scheme, which runs in 24 Tees Valley schools, aims to raise aspirations, build confidence, and help pupils imagine…