Business leaders call for more Government support to help exporters

6:00am Sunday 19th May 2013

BUSINESS leaders have called on the Government to increase support for North-East firms looking to export goods.

Occupational health firm boosted after trading increase

6:00am Saturday 18th May 2013

A NORTH-EAST occupational health firm, which has only been in business a year, has seen a significant increase in trading after backing from major firms in the region.

Mining deal saves hundreds of jobs

10:18am Friday 17th May 2013

A NORTH-East mining firm has rescued hundreds of coal jobs as part of plans to expand its operations across the UK. Hargreaves Services, which employs about 100 staff at its Esh Winning, County Durham, headquarters, has bought assets from collapsed surface mining firm Aardvark for £10.4m. All 237 workers employed at Aardvark's mines in Scotland are to be offered new contracts by Hargreaves, which recently announced plans to create up to 1,000 jobs nationally and open new mines. Last month it launched a successful shares issue to raise £40m to fund the expansion of its opencast operations. The County Durham firm wants to step up coal production by about three million tonnes a year. Later this month, it is expected to announce details of two locations in the North-East that have been earmarked for potential opencast development. Hargreaves has already started consultations with residents near a proposed opencast mine at Field House, near West Rainton, ahead of a planning application being submitted. If it is approved, Hargreaves plans to extract 500,000 tonnes of coal over three years, creating 42 jobs. The move to acquire assets in Scotland came as liquidators were appointed for Aardvark, the main trading arm of ATH Resources, which was put into administration in December. Earlier this year, Hargreaves bought £12.5m of debt from ATH's lender, Becap Capital, whose demand for repayment forced the company into administration. Gordon Banham, Hargreaves chief executive said the transaction brought to an end a long and complex restructuring process. He continued: "Whilst it has been a lengthy and difficult exercise, we are very pleased with the end result. "In comparison with an unstructured liquidation, we have saved or created over 230 jobs and been able to continue mining operations at two of the key sites. "The number of properties that have had to be disclaimed by the liquidators have been significantly reduced. "The continuance of operations at Netherton and Duncanziemere, together with the planned resumption of activity at Glenmuckloch, will greatly assist in achieving long-term restoration." Netherton and Duncanziemere are located in East Ayrshire, while Glenmuckloch is in Dumfries and Galloway. Hargreaves said it would provide site services to ensure that the mines continue in operation.

Tube firm continues expansion after £500,000 investment

STRONG RELATIONSHIP: David Cameron on a vist to Nissan when the announcement was made that it will make the first mass-market electric car

6:00am Friday 17th May 2013

A PIPE making firm, supplying parts for a pioneering North-East electric car, has created ten jobs after a £500,000 investment.

North-East tunnel system gets £4.9m refurbishment

The wooden escalators at the Tyne Tunnel pedestrian link

6:00am Friday 17th May 2013

A NORTH-EAST tunnel system, used by thousands of people every day, is to be refurbished in a £4.9m deal.

North-East science and technology centre joins national network

INVESTMENT PLANS: Redcar’s Wilton Centre joins the Business for Environments for Science and Technology Network

6:00am Friday 17th May 2013

A NORTH-EAST science and technology centre has joined a national network to drive industry investment and growth in the industry.

Theme park electronic control designer 'disappointed' by results

6:00am Friday 17th May 2013

A NORTH-EAST firm, which designs electronic control systems for theme parks, has revealed its disappointment after revenues fell during the first quarter of the year.

North-East wind farm can help lead national energy drive

A turbine is fitted into place on the Teesside wind farm, off the Redcar coast

6:00am Friday 17th May 2013

A NORTH-EAST offshore wind farm, capable of providing power for about 40,000 homes, could play a key role in developing the UK energy industry against global competitors.

Subsea firm expands fleet

2:48pm Thursday 16th May 2013

A NORTH-EAST subsea company has turned to a local supplier to expand its fleet of underwater vehicles. 

Time running out for entrepreneurs to enter competition

Last year's winner, Leroy Allen, who started events company FabrikEvents

1:53pm Thursday 16th May 2013

TIME is running out for North-East entrepreneurs to take part in a search to find the next successful business owners.

More Business»



Local NewsYourNorth-East






Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices »   Schools »   Crime »   Hospitals »

click2find


About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree