SASDA Blumin Brilliant Business Blog

A new feature for the SASDA blog in 2010 will be a weekly update on the goings on in the world of business. We’ll bring you local issues and give a fresh and light hearted look on the events that are shaping your business world. So here’s your first dose -

Snow More Snow... Please

At the start of last week all the talk was about the record levels of snow fall and the prediction was we were about to see the next couple of months turn into the coldest winter on record! The thaw has started to take the edge of the inconveniences we all had to get along with, but what was the cost, or benefit to the business of our region?

Deborah Johnson of the Northern Echo reported on the 16^th Jan that even some of the more rural areas of the region could still be accessed with commitment and a bit of application and there are countless stories of staff in key industries soldiering through difficult conditions to make sure their service could run for the use of others. http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/business/4855175.Farm_feed_suppliers_triumph_over_the_snow/?ref=rss

James Moore reports in the Independent on the 8^th Jan that national figures estimate the cost to be £600m per day (Source Royal Sun Alliance and Federation of Small Businesses) but also reports that some businesses and products couldn’t get enough of the snow! Think about the products and services we need during a cold snap, WD-40 for instance, or outsourcing business functions due to staff absence. And I’ll “bet my bottom dollar” some of you tried to get your hands on a sledge! (I did too, but stole my nephews when unsuccessful)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/the-real-cost-of-the-the-big-chill-1861336.html

Newton Aycliffe is Top Pop Chip Shop

In other FISH SHOP news, residents and businesses alike will be ecstatic to find out that a Chop Shop in Newton Aycliffe has won the coveted prize of “Britain’s Top Fish Shop”, awarded by the Mirror.co.uk and reported by Matt Roper on the 11^th Jan. REDZ Fish & Chips battered competition from all over the UK to come in first Plaice. (Sorry couldn’t resist) Congrats to them and let’s hope we all get to sample some of the produce soon!
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/01/11/mirror-finds-top-chip-shop-115875-21957792

“Inflated” – Art for All

After the unveiling of one of the region’s most exciting examples of public art last year, another was unveiled last week at Netpark Sedgefield. "Inflated" a stainless steel Plexus sculpture forms the entrance into the park, which houses a range of exciting technology and research organisations. http://www.culture24.org.uk/science+%2526+nature/science+art/art75012

Sedgefield in Bloom

The town of Sedgefield has also been shortlisted for small town category for “Durham in Bloom” competition so well done to all you “Green Fingers” in Sedgefield. http://www.durhamtimes.co.uk/news/4853805.Durham_into_bloom_final/

New Allotments and Gardens for Sedgefield

Also in Sedgefield Sedgefield Town Council is set to launch an exciting allotment project, reported in the Durham Times on the 17^th Jan. The project aims transform a plot of land for allotment use, a massively popular pass time, and a sensory garden for children. http://www.durhamtimes.co.uk/news/4854073.Community_groups_handed_grants/

EU Backing for Micro-renewable

Businesses working in the micro-renewable sector in our region are about to get more support with a new initiative. The project will be managed from a base in the North of the area, but firms working in the sector in the Sedgefield borough should still engage, take advantage of and contribute to the project.
http://www.northeastengland.co.uk/news/2010/1/eu-backing-for-north-east-micro-renewable-energy-initiative.aspx?source=rss&feedid=2

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See you next week!