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CRAFT CARPENTER WILL CARTER

Newcastle City Council recently uploaded this video showcasing the talents of DBN’s very own craft carpenter Will Carter.Watch Will's video here....

MAGS AT RED BUTTON MARKETING AND TRAINING

We love creating lightbulb moments for the amazing people in business we work with.  With our unique scientific approach to strategy, we will empower you with ideas, motivation and help you elevate your business to the next level.  And don’t forget that we are offering 2 for 1 on our training workshops for DBN members.  Click here to watch Mags' video. Mags...

KNOWING YOUR FINANCIALS IS VITAL FOR SUCCESS IN 2021

The uncertainty of last year is in the rear-view mirror, but a bumpy road still lies ahead.  More than ever, businesses need to understand and manage their finances to navigate the new terrain of 2021, not just to survive but thrive.2020 lost some great companies, and the years to come will take more.  So how can you begin protecting yourself and your investments when the landscape is still shifting below your feet?Our friends at Xero have pulled together some essential tips to conside...

CORONAVIRUS: HOW TO STAY SAFE & HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD

Find out how how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus. From: Cabinet OfficeLast updated: 19 July 2021Applies to: England (see guidance for Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) England has moved to Step 4 While cases are high and rising, everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious.  This is why we are keeping in place key protections: testing when you have symptoms and targeted asymptomatic testing in education, high risk workplac...

SME BREXIT SUPPORT FUND

Hi everybody,If you haven’t already made use of the “SME Brexit Support Fund” please see the email below.  You can claim back 100% of the £2,000 cost of this export support through the SME Brexit Support Fund.  To find out more please click here.Regards, Paul Sparks, Department for International Trade The transition period following the UK's departure from the EU finished on 31 December 2020, meaning there are new rules and requirements that UK firms need to meet in order t...

EMPLOYMENT CHANGES IN 2021

There are a few key changes this year for employers to be particularly aware of.New Immigration SystemFrom 1st January 2021 a new immigration system applies to individuals arriving in the UK for the first time.  EEA citizens (this includes EU citizens) and Swiss citizens moving to the UK for the first time from this date to work will need to obtain a work visa in advance.Employers planning to sponsor workers from outside the UK will need to apply for a sponsorship licence in advance.The Gov...

TYNEDALE BEER FESTIVAL

Brenda Beveridge Wills & Trusts Ltd are really looking forward to sponsoring this great local (Consett) beer at Tynedale Beer Festival this year!We hope this is of interest to DBN members and if so we could all end up in the VIP tent together on the Friday! Karen and Brenda, Brenda Beveridge Wills & Trusts Ltd...

VINTAGE AND FLOWERS

A few words about Vintage and Flowers A local business in Ebchester, growing flowers and selling vintage!  As we move out of Covid, I will be offering workshops - including - Yoga, Flower Arranging, Papercutting, Mindfulness with Leonna . . . hoping for painting too!Cut flower garden offering organic, sustainable fresh flowers and foliage from the garden.  Flowers available for florists, local customers, brides, events or just because you love flowers!  Now offering workshops!&nbs...

THE NORTH EAST BUSINESS SUPPORT FUND

The North East Business Support Fund has been extended through to March 2023 and is open again for applications.  NBSL have been able to secure further investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to the value of £1.6m to support 730 businesses. John Atkinson has recorded a podcast for DBN about the Support Fund which gives lots of helpful advice and tips on how to ensure you get your grant application right first time, what information is needed, eligibility criteria, pro...

WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER CHALLENGING A LOVED ONE'S WILL?

A quarter of British adults are now willing to challenge a relative's Will in court if they disagree with the division of the estate.  A survey of family law specialists identified 'undue influence' as the most common grounds for contesting a Will. In an increasingly litigious world we have to be ever mindful as to how we can protect our clients from future challenges.  Working with Countrywide Tax & Trust Corporation Ltd we ensure we keep very comprehensive records of our instruction-...

SOMETHING EXCITING HAPPENED!

I launched my 50th website and was awarded Rocketspark Gold Partner status AND I'm the 1st UK Gold Partner - go us! Thank you to all my lovely clients, friends and family for all your support over the last 4 years.  And a special shout out to Grant and Jason and all the support team at Rocketspark, Gary, John and David at DBN and Joanne at LUMO - you are amazing. Here's to the next 50 and becoming a Platinum Partner!! Melanie, Elm Marketing Solutions...

THANK-YOU GIFTS SENT TO HOLLYWOOD!

After our first DBN After Dark event with Lisa and Kevin we sent a thank-you gift from Joanne Rowland to Lisa and a Phil Benton canvas of Jesmond Dene to Kevin.  They are delighted and it's a testament to the skills and quality we have in DBN.  Here’s a note from Kevin to Phil which says it all . . .Phil,I received your gift today!  I don't know what to say.  You couldn't have sent me anything better than this . . .  It is priceless.  As you might know, I spent th...

TWO MORE CARTOONS FROM NORIKO - "GUILT" & "SCHOOL REOPENING"

I think lots of parents are juggling work and childcare at the moment.  I feel guilty that I’m often working while my children are spending too much screen time at home. But from the children’s point of view, they seem to be quite happy that I’m not overlooking them all the time.Well, maybe I don’t need to be too harsh on myself after all?Since schools are reopening soon and the children will be missing screen time at home?...

JAMES AND THE 'NORTHERN SAINTS PROJECT'

We’re so excited to announce that we’re working on the ‘Northern Saints Project’!Designed to encourage people to explore the North East and learn about the religious and historical heritage of the region, the ‘Northern Saints Project’ is designed to encourage people to walk the trails carved out by significant figures who came before them (such as Bede, Adrian and Cuthbert) and experience their own pilgrimage of self-discovery.  Our role in this project has been to produce a col...

PERFECT PLACE TO PERCH WITH RUTH!

Our beautiful Very Berry Pocket Perch keeps you warm and dry too.Ruth, Jacwicks Designs...

NATHALIE - "WELL, I DID IT!"

It is estimated that up to 6,000 children watched my French puppet show live with their teachers yesterday!  It was my 1st ever one and it was not technically perfect but I am happy with my delivery and I managed to have fun doing it!Bring on the next one . . .The show is now available to everyone if you want to have a look for yourself . . .  Just click here or on the image below - both will take you to my YouTube Channel.Nathalie, Nattalingo...

STRESS-BUSTING VIDEO SERIES FROM GILLIAN

Don't miss this free stress-busting video series from Gillian.  Click here to watch Gillian's video....

ZOOM MEETINGS!

Zoom meetings are basically modern seances . . ....

NORTH DURHAM CLLD

North Durham CLLD is a funding programme using European Structural and Investment Funds to support projects that will work with new and existing business (and individuals) to business growth and job creation and support unemployed people on their pathway to employment. If you are a business located in areas around Chester-le-Street, Stanley, Pelton Fell, Pelton, Whitehills, Dipton, Annfield Plain, Harelaw and Craghead then you may be eligible for business support and grants through the business ...

WILLOW BURN - A BRAND NEW LOYALTY SCHEME!

To celebrate the re-opening of the Willow Burn Charity Shops and the Willows Café (for takeaways) on 12 April, we are launching a brand new loyalty scheme.  You will receive a free hot drink in the Willows Café after every:six shops in a Willow Burn Charity Shopor six hot drink purchases in the Willows Café  Loyalty cards will be available when we re-open. Looking forward to seeing you soon! The Willow Burn Team...

CHECK OUT THESE BEAUTIES!

A stunning new display of our new Matt Rodium, Vado Horizon and Brushed Bronze showers.  All of them, the perfect way to accessorise your new bathroom.For more information just click here.The Cladwise Team...

BUDGET 2021

Budget 2021: Implications for small businesses  Small business received good news in the Budget with the extension of CJRS and SEISS, but many people are still left out of these schemes.  Off-payroll working will come into effect as planned in the private sector. Just click here to read an overview of the budget implications for small businesses. Sharron, Westwood Accountancy...

A SYNERGY OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU!

We’ll be holding an introduction to the opportunity on Tuesday night via zoom.  It’s all non committal and for information purposes only and will give a brief idea of how the products and business opportunity work.  If people are interested we have a more in-depth presentation.Times are hard but I've seen my business quadruple in the lock down because of its nature and being online it has been unaffected and is growing month on month over the previous years equivalent month.Justin,...

LOCKDOWN CARTOON #36 - "TALLER"

The other day I noticed Naomi was able to turn the light switch on by herself.  But until recently, she couldn't reach the switch and always asked me to turn it on for her.  In all this time in lockdown, I've been home with my children.  But I was too busy to notice that Naomi had got taller!Children grow up so fast.  Before I knew it, they become capable to do various things.  Life is hectic.  But I'd like to be more present so I won't miss the process of my childr...

DBN WELCOMES 3D VIRTUAL SPACES

3D Virtual Spaces is based in County Durham and create interactive 3D Virtual Tours and other digital solutions for your business.Do you need to promote your business and make it stand out to online visitors all over the world?  We capture spaces in real 3D giving a truly immersive, digital experience allowing clients to see the space as if they were actually there.A 3D Showcase is much more than a 3D model. It's all-in-one visualization, right in your web browser or virtual reality headset...