Aycliffe Business Park

10/06/2026

Time Is Running Out to Book Your Place 🎤

Our Aycliffe Business Park Community Breakfast takes place this Friday at Redworth Hall Hotel, and there are only a few days left to secure your place.

This event includes a dedicated Q&A session with organisations who are there to support businesses across our region.

It’s your chance to ask questions, understand what support is available, and share what businesses on the park really need.

The more businesses represented, the stronger the conversation.

Friday 12th June
8:00am – 10:00am
Redworth Hall Hotel

Breakfast, networking, updates and a chance to be heard.

Book your place:

Come along and network with fellow Aycliffe Business Park residents, as well as business owners from across the North East.

09/06/2026

If We Don't Ask the Questions, Who Will? 🎤

Our Community Breakfast on Friday 12th June at Redworth Hall Hotel isn't just another networking event. It's an opportunity for businesses across Aycliffe Business Park and the wider area to engage directly with organisations that are there to support growth, investment, skills development and business success across our region.

Representatives from organisations including Business Durham, Bishop Auckland College, the North East Chamber of Commerce, Durham County Council and the Aycliffe Business Park Board will be in the room to answer your questions and hear directly from local businesses.

Too often, businesses tell us they don't know what support is available, how to access it, or who to speak to. This Q&A session is your opportunity to change that.

What support is available for your business?

How can these organisations help you recruit, train, invest, grow or overcome challenges?

What should they be doing differently?

What would you like them to know about the realities of running a business in our area?

This is your chance to ask.

The stronger the representation from the business community, the stronger our collective voice becomes. These conversations matter, and they can help shape the support available to businesses across our region.

Add in breakfast, networking and business updates, and this promises to be one of our most important Community Breakfasts yet.

Friday 12th June
8:00am – 10:00am
Redworth Hall Hotel

Make sure you're in the room.

https://aycliffebusinesspark.co.uk/events/news-networking/

08/06/2026

Make Your Mark Awards raises £3,000 for Great North Air Ambulance Service

The 2026 Make Your Mark Awards raised £3,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), thanks to the generosity of guests attending this year's event.

The annual awards, organised by Resolution Media and Publishing on behalf of the Aycliffe Business Park Community (ABPC) and held in association with headline sponsor Husqvarna UK, brought together hundreds of business leaders, employees and supporters from across Aycliffe Business Park and the wider region.

Alongside celebrating the outstanding achievements of local businesses and individuals, guests dug deep to support the life-saving work of GNAAS through donations made on the night.

The charity provides critical care across the North-East, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and the Isle of Man, bringing highly skilled doctors and paramedics directly to patients facing serious illness or injury.

Ben Sisson, corporate relationship manager at GNAAS, thanked organisers, sponsors and guests for their support.

He said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Make Your Mark Awards, in association with Husqvarna UK, for this generous donation of more than £3,000.

“As a charity, we rely on the kindness and support of our communities to help us deliver life-saving critical care across the region.

“We currently need to raise £9.6m each year to remain operational, without any public funding whatsoever, and donations like this enable our team to continue being there for patients and their families when they need us most.”

As well as raising just over £3,000 on the night, the fundraising was topped up when one of the raffle prizes – a Husqvarna robotic lawnmower worth £1,200 – was also donated to GNAAS by Husqvarna employee Carl Brettwood, who had the winning ticket.

Caraline Robinson, manufacturing director at Husqvarna UK, said: “It was fantastic to support one of Husqvarna’s charities of choice at this year’s Make Your Mark Awards.

“We have proudly supported GNAAS for a number of years, and the incredible work they do continues to make a real difference.

“It was truly inspiring to see the generosity of everyone in attendance, all coming together to support such a wonderful cause.

“The event showcased the very best of our business community and it was fantastic to see guests rally behind such an important regional charity.

“The Great North Air Ambulance Service provides an invaluable service and is one of many local charities that we support all year round. We’re delighted that the evening helped raise significant funds to support its life-saving work.”

Martin Walker, director of Resolution Media and Publishing, said the awards had once again demonstrated the strength of community spirit across Aycliffe Business Park.

He said: “The Make Your Mark Awards are all about celebrating the fantastic people and businesses that make Aycliffe Business Park such a special place to work and do business.

“But we're also passionate about giving something back, and I’m delighted that our guests responded so generously to support the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

“The charity performs an incredible role across our region, often making the difference in the most critical situations.

“To raise £3,000 in one evening is a fantastic achievement and a credit to everyone who attended, supported or contributed to the event.”

Pamela Petty, chair of the Aycliffe Business Park Community, added: “The business community in Newton Aycliffe has always been known for its generosity and willingness to support others.

“We're incredibly proud that the Make Your Mark Awards not only recognise business success but also help organisations such as the Great North Air Ambulance Service continue their vital work. The amount raised is a wonderful reflection of the values that exist across our business park.”

The £3,000 donation will help GNAAS continue delivering its critical care service to people across the region, ensuring specialist medical teams can reach those in urgent need whenever and wherever they are required.

Those interested in supporting the Great North Air Ambulance Service with fundraising events can contact them at greatnorthairambulance.co.uk.

Pictured above (from left): Resolution director Martin Walker, Great North Air Ambulance Service CEO Joe Garcia MBE, Husqvarna line leader Kay Wray, GNAAS corporate relationship manager Ben Sisson and Husqvarna line leader Robert Robson with people manager Deb Charlton.

05/06/2026

This One Really Isn't to Be Missed... ☕

Our next Aycliffe Business Park Community Breakfast is coming around quickly and takes place on Friday 12th June, from 8:00am until 10:00am, at Redworth Hall Hotel.

Think BBC’s Question Time and you will get the idea!

We have invited the Northeast Combined Authority to join us for the morning, as part of what promises to be a particularly valuable event for the local business community.

We’re also pleased to confirm that Bishop Auckland College, Durham County Council, plus representatives from both the Aycliffe Business Park Board and the North East Chamber of Commerce will be joining us.

What makes this event different is the opportunity to engage directly with key organisations and decision-makers. There will be a dedicated Q&A session, giving attendees the opportunity to ask their own questions, raise issues that matter to their business and hear directly from organisations that play an important role in supporting business and shaping our region’s future.

Whether your questions relate to skills, investment, infrastructure, business support, growth or the future of our area, this is a rare opportunity to have your voice heard.

Add in the usual networking, business updates and breakfast, and this is shaping up to be one of our most valuable Community Breakfasts yet.

If you haven’t secured your place already, now is the time.

04/06/2026

Let’s Celebrate the Good Things Happening in Our Community 👏

One of the best things about being part of the Aycliffe Business Park community is the willingness of businesses and organisations to support one another.

Do you offer a free service, initiative or community project that could benefit other businesses, charities or local people? We'd love to hear about it.

Equally, have you recently benefited from a free service, support programme, community initiative or the generosity of another business?

This is your opportunity to give them a well-deserved shout out.

We know there are countless examples of businesses going above and beyond to support others, often without seeking recognition. Let's change that.

Add a shout out below and help us celebrate the people and organisations making a positive difference across our business park and wider community.

02/06/2026

Are Skills Gaps Starting to Impact Your Business?

We’re pleased to share details of an upcoming event on behalf of The Technical Learning Company (TLC), bringing together manufacturing and engineering businesses to discuss the growing skills challenges facing the sector.

Friday 10th July
8:00am – 10:00am
The Work Place, Newton Aycliffe (DL5 6AH)

Many businesses are already beginning to feel the pressure from skills shortages, retirements and difficulties attracting the next generation into industry. If your organisation is starting to see gaps appear in skills, knowledge or future workforce planning, this is a conversation you need to be part of.

The session will bring together Site Directors, HR leaders, Engineering Managers and SME decision-makers to discuss practical ways to strengthen the local talent pipeline and support the future of our region’s industries.

Alongside breakfast and networking, the morning will focus on real challenges, shared experiences and practical discussion around what businesses can do now to prepare for the years ahead.

For more information, please contact:
[email protected]
07751 976465

Click the link to book your place via Eventbrite:

If your business is asking: “Where will our skills come from in the next 5 years?” …then you need to be in the room"

29/05/2026

Have You Booked Your Place Yet? ☕

The next Aycliffe Business Park Community Breakfast at Redworth Hall Hotel is getting closer, and now’s the time to make sure you’ve secured your ticket.

Friday 12th June 2026
8:00am – 10:00am
Redworth Hall Hotel

These breakfasts continue to bring together businesses from across the park and the wider local area for a morning of conversation, updates, networking and community.

It’s a great chance to strengthen relationships, meet new contacts and stay connected with what’s happening across Aycliffe Business Park.

Of course, breakfast is included too!

Book your place here:

Come along and network with fellow Aycliffe Business Park residents, as well as business owners from across the North East.

27/05/2026

Chair of Trustees Opportunity – Connect Multi Academy Trust

We’re pleased to share an exciting opportunity on behalf of Connect Multi Academy Trust, who are currently seeking a new Chair of Trustees.

Connect Multi Academy Trust supports more than 4,000 children and young people across three secondary schools and five primary schools within County Durham, with each academy playing an important role within its local community.

This voluntary role offers the opportunity to help shape the future direction of the Trust, providing strategic leadership, championing strong governance and supporting the continued growth and development of the organisation.

The Trust welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive board.

Application deadline: 9am, 30th June 2026
Interviews: Week commencing 13th July 2026

For more information or to request an application pack, please contact:
[email protected]

07860 966343

25/05/2026

‘The sky’s the limit’ for Small Business of the Year award-winner

The “blown away” boss of Aycliffe’s Small Business of the Year says his firm plans to keep punching above its weight.

Tbox Tech, which specialises in patented inventory and smart storage systems, has only been going for around a year.

And yet the three-person firm – CEO and founder Jon Elwell, wife Tracey and son Jayden – can boast an order book to envy and is even having to turn down some work because it’s so busy.

But as Jon proudly pointed out when receiving the Make Your Mark Awards Small Business trophy from Liam Noble of category sponsor NC Group, it’s a business very much centred on the Aycliffe area.

He said: “We’ve had an incredible year. We effectively started in August last year when we had to start the business again and since then, we’ve developed six new devices.

“But everything we do is in a 50-mile radius of the business park. All our suppliers and contractors are in the area and we’re very proud to support this community because this community supports us.”

Jon’s business journey began when he was helping design and develop technology for the likes of Amazon Go and Unipress.

He explained: “I developed RFID storerooms and vending machine technology and patented them in the UK, US and Europe for various devices. Then we started to build them with partners or working for people.

“Thirteen years ago, we decided to go it alone – then we licensed our technology to a third party and they were quite happy to use it.

“Last August, the 10-year licence we had came to an end and we effectively grabbed it by the reins and have gone on from there.

“I was the first engineer for vending in the UK. I build every prototype and once it’s built, I get subcontractors to build them. So, I still get my hands dirty every day – they’re covered in cuts and bruises.”

Moving into a unit next door to Greggs – “I’ve put 20lbs on!” laughed Jon – allowed Toolbox Tech to establish itself from an Aycliffe base.

Since then, the firm has worked with big names such as BAE, Zebra printers, Gillette and H&M – and it even had to turn down Rolls-Royce because it was too busy.

Jon said: “We work with large, blue chip organisations and yet we’re so small. We punch so above our weight and this award is recognition for us.

“We’ve just taken on a software developer who’ll work with us one day a week but otherwise it’s still just three of us, so we’ve got to scale up. RFID is a growing industry so we’ve got to get bodies in because there’s such a wealth of opportunity.

“The government backed the industry six years ago and because we have patents which are still valid, the sky’s the limit really – it’s just about getting in and working with the right people.”

It was a night to remember for Tbox Tech as later in the evening, Jon’s son Jayden also picked up the Engineering and Manufacturing award.

In total, 11 trophies were handed out at the Hardwick Hall event, which was delivered by Resolution Media and Publishing on behalf of Aycliffe Business Park, in association with Husqvarna UK.

22/05/2026

Smiles all round as Hiyed trio collect Inspiring Futures award

The smiles on their faces say it all…

Hiyed founder Tracy Fee had company as she collected the Inspiring Futures prize at the Make Your Mark Awards – and it proved exactly why her CIC was a deserving winner.

Tracy was joined on stage at Hardwick Hall by two young women who are thriving in the roles Hiyed helped secure for them.

Chloe Howe and Alexandra Golightly have both been helped into work by Hiyed, which was set up two and a half years ago to support people facing barriers into employment.

And after picking up the inaugural Inspiring Futures award, customer service apprentice Chloe and team member Alexandra were quick to sing the praises of the service that’s helped them, with a beaming Alexandra holding the trophy and saying: “Tracy’s the most wonderful boss ever!”

Hiyed edged out Husqvarna UK and South West Durham Training to win the award, which was presented by Martin Walker of event organisers Resolution Media and Publishing who, in association with Husqvarna UK, delivered the awards on behalf of Aycliffe Business Park.

Martin said of the new award: “We wanted to recognise and reward organisations that are actively shaping a better future through their commitment to people, planet or opportunity.”

And Tracy, who said she was “so proud” to win it, told the 250-strong audience: “We love being part of Aycliffe Business Park, everyone’s been so welcoming.

“I didn’t set the business up until I was in my 50s after an autism diagnosis so, hopefully, I’m inspiring people by doing what we do.”

Chloe, said Tracy, came to Hiyed on work experience. “She was very anxious but has come on amazingly and is now just about to finish her Level 2 apprenticeship.”

Alexandra, she added, started in the office, cleaning, but now has three roles in the organisation.

Tracy said: “I know there are recruitment companies and employment support but this is different. It’s supported employment, it’s very bespoke and it’s quite intense – but it’s real, one-to-one person-centred support for people facing whatever barriers they may have.

“It might be someone who doesn’t have work clothes, it might be they’re struggling with public transport or they need someone to help them learn the ropes in work.

“We meet that person, find out what they’re interested in and try and find something for them. Then we will continue to work with them.”

And with around 450 people now helped by Hiyed, and close connections forged with four local colleges, it seems those employment barriers will continue to be chipped away at.

Tracy added: “We have a 100% success rate on our interns getting into work, so we’re really proud of that.

“Lots of young people are out of work – the statistics are terrible. Once you get to 23, the research says it’s going to be really difficult to get a job if you haven’t had one, so getting it right is really important and that’s what we aim to do.”