Pictured: Kareen James-

Rawson

SPECTRUM POISEDFOR SUCCESSFUL 2017

The Newsletter for Seaham Business Park SBP NEWS SPONSORED

BY

Issue 1 | Feb-May 2017

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When I bought the land which housed the former Dawdon Colliery 10 years ago, my vision was ambitious yet relatively simple.

I wanted to create a business community that had at its heart a vibrant mix of micro companies, growing regional employers and national and international brands, in a location that was sought after and accessible from whatever direction you were travelling.

I knew there was a shortage of prime office space in the North East so I created several high quality buildings providing business space in a range of sizes.

Yet for a good while, due to the “downturn”, demand became subdued and lettings felt like an uphill battle. Reaching full occupancy seemed a pipe dream.

So it’s with a real sense of pride that I look across at the now thriving Spectrum Business

Park and reflect on a hugely successful 2016.

We secured a number of high profile tenants, including Hull-based call handler Res-Q, who

are occupying 20,000 sqft of space in Spectrum 3, and online retailer Andrew James, who have purchased Lighthouse III. Res-Q alone could see as many as 1,200 people employed by 2018.

In addition, Great Annual Savings continues to expand its presence on the park and our serviced office in Spectrum 7, which is managed by East Durham Business Service, has attracted several new tenants in the last year including Seaham Safety Services.

Those who have worked with me from the start will know what a different place Spectrum is now. And the good news is, things show no sign of slowing down in 2017.

It’s likely we will be fully occupied in the not too distant future, bringing more jobs to the park. I firmly believe Seaham and the wider East Durham area are on the brink of great things. We just need to look around at the millions of pounds of money being invested at Dalton Park and the Marina area to see that.

And if Spectrum can continue to play its part in the area’s ongoing growth I’ll know all of my efforts in the last 10 years will have been completely worthwhile.

Property developer Paul Wellstead reflects on the transformation of Spectrum Business Park which is now home to dozens of businesses employing over 1,500 people.

I’m looking forward to seeing the development of the Seaham Business Park Group, which was launched in October and will play an important role in supporting our business community and putting the area on the regional map.

Paul Wellstead

Seaham really is putting itself on the regional business map and it’s great to see people sitting up and taking notice of what our town has to offer.

Over the last few years there has been major investment, not just on our business parks but along the seafront as well.

Collectively this is having such a positive impact on the community as a whole. People want to visit the town, and in turn that is helping attract more businesses into the area. It then becomes a positive cycle; more businesses bring in more people who bring in

more money, and that’s the fortunate position we’re in at the moment.

For businesses like ours, this presents an enormous opportunity to grow. There are more potential clients out there and the message we’re getting from them is that they want trustworthy & reliable local suppliers.

We’ve seen how successful the Peterlee Business Park Group has been in terms of showcasing what the area has to offer and celebrate its many successes, so if we can replicate that it will provide a huge boost to Seaham’s vast business community.

That’s why we were delighted to be given the chance to become part of the new Seaham Business Park Group, both as a sponsor and steering group member.

The response to SBP has been great so far. Over 40 people came to our first networking event and the messages were very positive.By working together Seaham can become one of the area’s most successful business locations, so here’s to a successful 2017.

For more information about Aspen Wolf, and what we can do for you, visit our website, www.aspen-wolf.com or call 0191 581 1000.

The site, which has benefited from over £10m of investment to turn it into one of the most hi-tech, cutting edge facilities in the UK, will enable the company to dispatch as many as 28,000 orders per day.

Andrew James, which decided to relocate from Bowburn to allow for further growth, has also purchased premises at Lighthouse View in Seaham, which will be its new head office.Keith Roberts from Andrew James said: “Getting Foxcover

online will be a massive boost for Andrew James and will see two years of hard work pay off.”

Following years of exceptional growth, Andrew James broke the £20m turnover mark for the second consecutive year in 2015.

The Foxcover premises, which should be fully operational within the first six months of 2017, will allow the company to act as a third party fulfilment distribution centre for other companies.

Spectrum-based Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) was given honourable mention at January’s National Apprenticeship Awards and was named one of the country’s 100 best providers, alongside household names such as Sage and Lloyds Bank.

GAS secured its place on the list after being given honourable mention as a finalist in the ‘Best SME Newcomer’ category.

Judith Bennison, Group HR Director, said: “This is a huge achievement for the Group.

We’re extremely proud of the scheme we’ve put together and to have been given honourable mention and a spot in the Centrica Top 100 reaffirms this.

“We’ve brought some recognition to some of the excellent business practice in the North East. I’m sure there are others thinking of starting an apprenticeship scheme and I’d whole-heartedly recommend they do. We’ve gained so many fresh ideas, perspectives and memorable moments from our apprentices - it’s been a huge success for us.

The Spectrum Cultural Hub at Lighthouse Studios has completed its inaugural exhibition.

The exhibition space and studio, is run by Exhibit ‘A’rt, a non-profit organisation which works with multiple partners, including local schools,

companies, community groups, and the local authority.

Phil Barker, chief executive of Exhibit ‘A’rt, said: “The exhibition was very well received, and rightly so, there is so much talent on display from a broad range of artists.”

Donna and Dave Rowlands are directors of recruitment & training company, Aspen Wolf - the exclusive sponsor of SBP News. Donna recently joined the SBP steering group to champion local business growth and support the expansion of the area’s thriving business community. In their first column, the couple look at the opportunities facing Seaham companies and how the SBP group can ensure the area’s profile continues to rise.

An award-winning online retailer has commissioned a brand new distribution centre at Foxcover.

ANDREW JAMES KICKS OFF SEAHAM MOVE

GAS NAMED TOP APPRENTICE EMPLOYER

L’ART DESEAHAM

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Phil Barker with daughter xxxx

Judith Bennison

(far left)

Seaham Business Park Group, working in association with:

0191 587 8165 | info@seahambusiness.co.uk | www.seahambusiness.co.uk

Seaham Safety Services was founded by Gordon MacPherson Snr in 2006 and provides health and safety consultancy and training.

Shortly after the company was founded, Gordon’s son, Gordon Jnr, left his career in molecular and cellular biology to join the business, which now has eight staff and as many part time trainers, advisors and assessors which support its clients.

Gordon MacPherson Jnr said: “Originally we started out as a

health and safety consultancy and naturally evolved to offer in-house and accredited training.

“The business has really grown over the last few years and this year we moved to modern offices at Novus Business Centre to facilitate the next phase of our business plan.

“We really want to thank our customers for their continued loyalty and support. We are all very excited about what the future holds for us.”

The recurring themes at the event, hosted by Spectrum-based BE Group were positive, with many reporting plans to grow, either by expanding their client base, recruiting or investing.

Seaham firms including GAS, Nala Engineers, Mission Foods, Andrew James Worldwide and Aspen Wolf were in attendance.

They were joined by Peterlee-based Mecaplast, NSK LEC Consultancy, KF Training and GEM Premium People.

Steve Metcalfe, who is HR Manager at NSK Peterlee and Chairman of both the Peterlee and Seaham Business Park steering groups, said: “I think in terms of numbers and the positive feelings among our business communities, this networking event was probably our best yet.

“Listening to businesses of all sizes from such diverse sectors was hugely encouraging and I think it reinforces our belief that the area is set for even more success in 2017.”

A family run business based on Spectrum Business Park is toasting 10 successful years in business.

Over 40 people attended the first Seaham Business Park networking event, held in January.

SEAHAM SAFETY MARKS TENTH ANNIVERSARY

FANTASTIC RESPONSETO SBP GROUP SO FAR

Grace graduated from the University of Sunderland with a First Class Honours degree in Fashion Product and Promotion.

Since starting her Graduate Internship with Seaham based House of Mooshki, Grace has been responsible for designing dresses as well as production management and dealing with stockists and their orders.

With support from owner Victoria McCarthy, Grace is helping the business expand with the launch of a new line, Grace Philips, which includes dresses she has designed.

Victoria said: “Grace not only has the skills and abilities to design her

own work but she also manages the production schedule for every dress currently in production and has the potential to become the new production manager.”

Grace credits the support of the University’s Graduate Internship Team and the opportunity through the ERDF Graduate Internship Program for her current success.

She said: “I enjoy my job because each day is different - fast paced with deadlines to meet and new challenges, which I love.”

Through her internship, Grace has visited Milan and China with upcoming trips to Barcelona and Verona for fashion shoots.

Internationally recognised bridal brand, House of Mooshki, is making waves in the fashion world with the aid of Sunderland graduate Grace Gatens.

GRADUATE GRACE BOOSTS SEAHAM BRIDAL BRAND WITH FASHION FLAIR

Gordon MacPherson Snr and Jnr

SBP networkers at BE Group

in January

Grace Gatens (far right) with

director Victoria McCarthy and designer Phil

Woodhead