The Northern Echo | BUSINESSiQ https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/business/ The Northern Echo BUSINESSiQ en-gb Wed, 21 Oct 2026 22:57:27 +0100 Wed, 21 Oct 2026 22:57:27 +0100 https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/rss/terms/ M6 toby.granville@newsquest.co.uk (Toby Granville) webmaster@digitalmedia.newsquest.co.uk (Tim Joy) https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/resources/images/sitelogoalt/?type=rsslogo The Northern Echo | BUSINESSiQ https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/business/ 'Playful' North East business on Dragon's Den offers a modern take on fairground fun https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26657606.playful-newcastle-fairground-themed-venue-featured-dragons-den/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 20:00:00 +0100 be207e924a7249b58af65eb8cc14d776 kenzie.harrison@newsquest.co.uk | Kenzie Harrison Ex civil servant opens dream independent bookshop and café in Darlington https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26654027.new-independent-bookshop-caf-open-darlington/?ref=rss Thu, 22 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100 44a52ea22f47b24a70097b203ab33fbd amelia.anderson@newsquest.co.uk | Amelia Anderson North East pottery couple launch craft hub for community projects https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26654784.sunderland-couple-launch-wear-crafts-social-enterprise/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 24abae009494aaf80ced3505f1e570f8 gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht Why family-run Consett chippy remains favourite with fish and chip fans 18 years on https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26650406.blackhill-fish-chips-remains-consett-favourite-18-years/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100 3533cd3be03d89cdc71ab314ad924b8d joseph.mclachlan@newsquest.co.uk | Joseph McLachlan Durham entrepreneur opens community-focused Pilates studio with start up loan https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26651581.durham-entrepreneur-opens-pilates-studio-start-loan/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 219db0b96dced4a6d82d8b9c715d411b gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht Busy Danish homeware shop Søstrene Grene confirms Durham opening date https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26656635.s-strene-grene-homeware-shop-open-new-durham-store-next-week/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:48:00 +0100 3117b11eaaf180082deee929ab33fbd1 amelia.anderson@newsquest.co.uk | Amelia Anderson Survey reveals North East nerves over John Healey's first Budget https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26651605.seven-ten-north-east-clients-fear-budget-impact/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0100 199c00ecaddb20bdcd68261ed9cc470d gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht North East firms win national awards for innovation and workforce growth https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26651670.north-east-firms-win-national-chamber-business-awards/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 14fab718157ff47e5b946f8c147a7758 gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht Darlington mum who found dream job on maternity leave grows wool shop across UK https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26650901.darlington-wool-shop-owner-named-business-ambassador/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 d741dac6ccc4004dd4ece173604e0699 gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht North East law firm Muckle tops £20m turnover after five-year growth https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26651831.muckle-llp-turnover-rises-9-20-6m-growth-plan/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 24a5871ef5b952d546e5e6aeb20cbed6 gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht North East businesses urged to invest in growth at free enterprise festival https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26652380.northumberland-enterprise-festival-returns-third-year/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 981fc7f5aec3a52a0eb99b43238758a0 gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht Theakston’s Brewery unveils strongest ale yet with nationwide Morrisons launch https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26653787.theakstons-unveils-strongest-ale-morrisons-launch/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 64fc2c8effd2804db00ad5312d5dd232 gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht North East author challenges myths about Generation Z in new workplace book https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26653900.sunderland-author-louise-kennedy-launches-workplace-book/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 263926108e56383201768d79b9b66bfe francis.redwood@newsquest.co.uk | Francis Redwood Why County Durham has the opportunity of a lifetime https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26594145.opportunity-lifetime-county-durham/?ref=rss Tue, 20 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 3e08e6aa913f3c6fba8a41cc76c4a870 Barnard Castle café owner celebrates awards shortlist after mystery nomination https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26649827.barnard-castles-moments-caf-reaches-food-awards-england-final/?ref=rss Tue, 20 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 58a6f4ed1482803ffdcd2d5fb6a53c23 gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht North East woman who wanted Pilates to be 'for everybody' strikes gold at nationals https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26650936.north-east-pilates-founder-wins-gold-national-awards/?ref=rss Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100 af47ef6b8003a36fe480e98d497e8e9c anna.barnes@newsquest.co.uk | Anna Barnes BUSINESSiQ Awards 'biggest celebration of our region’s business community' https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26644748.hays-travel-backs-business-year-award-raby-castle/?ref=rss Mon, 19 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0100 373bb3e4eec3e4dff46f5ca1275ce1d4 mike.hughes@newsquest.co.uk | Mike Hughes How a Shildon Padel club is becoming more than just a place to play sport https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26649933.shildon-padel-club-plans-growth-beyond-courts/?ref=rss Mon, 19 Oct 2026 20:00:00 +0100 44a33d619f51ad5d12292474e73bbc97 joseph.mclachlan@newsquest.co.uk | Joseph McLachlan How Darlington butcher Taylor's has survived a century of high street change https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26649366.darlington-butcher-still-thriving-century/?ref=rss Mon, 19 Oct 2026 17:30:00 +0100 4eb5804e5c01e7558ea73b4604b02641 joseph.mclachlan@newsquest.co.uk | Joseph McLachlan North East seafront restaurant forced to close after third break-in in 10 months https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26650843.boathouse-terrace-redcar-broken-third-time/?ref=rss Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:30:51 +0100 89babab56ac60c0522f49e7d3bbd7a86 freya.cain-metcalf@newsquest.co.uk | Freya Cain-Metcalf North East family-run company plans expansion after turnover passes £1m https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26641171.castle-eden-surveying-firm-plans-recruitment-drive/?ref=rss Mon, 19 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 e4e47e8e6417fb014c879793acbd1e79 gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht New North East centre to train more than 40 engineering apprentices https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26638879.new-tyneside-training-centre-opens-tackle-shortages/?ref=rss Mon, 19 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 5e11f0ce44bf8d6b5d8da6fca0897b14 gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht More than 300 guests celebrate North East law firm's milestone anniversary https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26638224.square-one-law-celebrates-15th-anniversary-baltic-gathering/?ref=rss Sun, 18 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 37df4a6a2ccbf1e5c273cea6f549e07c gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht M&S Christmas jobs, hours and how much you can get paid in the North East https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26646064.m-s-christmas-jobs-north-east---pay-shifts/?ref=rss Sat, 17 Oct 2026 15:40:00 +0100 9e05e6e198f3576dbe7e2435592787cc patrick.gouldsbrough@newsquest.co.uk | Patrick Gouldsbrough Signs go up for new Wickes store coming to former County Durham Poundstretcher site https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26646311.wickes-signs-go-former-bishop-auckland-poundstretcher/?ref=rss Sat, 17 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0100 4aae91d0ff53147bb2eff2198dfa005d patrick.gouldsbrough@newsquest.co.uk | Patrick Gouldsbrough Darlington shop that's survived changing high street for more than 115 years https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26641935.leggs-darlington-shop-still-thriving-115-years-high-street/?ref=rss Sat, 17 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100 dda314e240841116cdf252d1b408e898 joseph.mclachlan@newsquest.co.uk | Joseph McLachlan Sunderland charity marks 25 years with special matchday celebration https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26642910.stagecoach-backs-sunderland-foundation-light-anniversary/?ref=rss Sat, 17 Oct 2026 19:00:00 +0100 d937584f9425d1b7544e2f6c57051908 francis.redwood@newsquest.co.uk | Francis Redwood Luxury resort near Darlington transformed with 17,000 new plants and trees https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26642511.rockliffe-resort-near-darlington-unveils-major-garden-transformation/?ref=rss Sat, 17 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 a56f94366117c48b86c9f20c5473061e francis.redwood@newsquest.co.uk | Francis Redwood New board members bring wealth of experience to Darlington Pride in Place https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26638663.new-board-members-boost-life-changing-darlington-initiative/?ref=rss Fri, 16 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0100 7e9da1f215b1d511efc78de76d6bb638 peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron North East recruitment firm nears £10m revenue after record growth run https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26638270.nigel-wright-group-nears-10m-annual-revenues-milestone/?ref=rss Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 f96ea795fde994af390f98463a2cea20 gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht Ramsdens forecasts profits of up to £35m as gold demand drives growth https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26638273.ramsdens-teesside-forecasts-profits-35m-gold-demand/?ref=rss Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100 08afac0b0d9a935f8579ca73f1521f5a gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht North East hotel stars honoured at annual Excellence Awards ceremony https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26637219.north-east-hotel-stars-honoured-annual-awards-ceremony/?ref=rss Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 c59d9c033fa294d298d9989d5e1f36ea gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht Yorkshire Dales farmer recognised for inspiring next generation at awards https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26641033.malham-farmer-neil-heseltine-wins-national-park-award/?ref=rss Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100 3f693f9b49aa63f55602686ddc9f45dc francis.redwood@newsquest.co.uk | Francis Redwood UK manufacturing drives surprise growth as factory output surges in 'Burnham boost' https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26641937.britains-factories-deliver-surprise-boost-uk-economy/?ref=rss Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:22:34 +0100 907d57055d9750b910100990b62d4031 jade.wright@newsquest.co.uk | Jade Wright Workers celebrate Real Living Wage rise to £27k a year for full time hours https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26641936.workers-celebrate-real-living-wage-uk-rise-14-10-hour/?ref=rss Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:22:28 +0100 3231a914b0b52a378f2df18a7f9220fe jade.wright@newsquest.co.uk | Jade Wright Rishi Sunak praises Northallerton space technology firm's growth https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26637267.rishi-sunak-visits-northallerton-space-technology-firm/?ref=rss Thu, 15 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0100 9215e8acc816a25fd8c627a362f35164 gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht Drone footage as historic Teesside shipyard's four dry docks full for first time https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26636263.four-dry-docks-teesside-yard-full-first-time/?ref=rss Wed, 14 Oct 2026 13:57:36 +0100 16d9d587573f7a17e82d259cfb611462 gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht Former jockey launches luxury toilet hire business in North Yorkshire after injury https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26633611.former-jockey-launches-luxury-toilet-business-yorkshire/?ref=rss Thu, 15 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 32fd238a5f748eee96fb960b8d5c37ee gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht From cafés to butchers: Darlington businesses that have stood the test of time https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26635700.historic-darlington-businesses-still-going-strong-today/?ref=rss Thu, 15 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100 b3071e3652f5304ba54e9569eae60806 joseph.mclachlan@newsquest.co.uk | Joseph McLachlan £30m Transporter Bridge funding could be freed up as repair plans move forward https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26636350.30m-transporter-bridge-funding-freed/?ref=rss Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:12:21 +0100 b5e27e65de07378dc3fa8accc5dab736 Daniel Hodgson County Durham's Kynren joins Disneyland Paris as one of Europe's top family parks https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26635400.best-parks-europe-county-durham-attraction-kynren-joins-top-parks/?ref=rss Wed, 14 Oct 2026 11:36:55 +0100 c12088021b43ec7ac9fa550918203a93 joseph.mclachlan@newsquest.co.uk | Joseph McLachlan £8.4m Newton Aycliffe factory project 'paused over inheritance tax changes' https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26631385.8-4m-newton-aycliffe-factory-project-paused-tax/?ref=rss Wed, 14 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 0bcc6fe4ccd2730efc2d9c4b9e06edf5 gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht Teesside travel agent named best in UK says bucket list trips are booming https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26635273.travel-agent-named-best-uk-says-bucket-list-trips-booming/?ref=rss Wed, 14 Oct 2026 11:16:25 +0100 57736099988327dc69b3717409283ae4 freya.cain-metcalf@newsquest.co.uk | Freya Cain-Metcalf New phase begins on £6.2m North East walking and cycling scheme https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26631230.hartlepool-connectivity-scheme-enters-second-phase/?ref=rss Wed, 14 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 b15a1c375a8e4ce4678da57ae505fb84 gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht North Yorkshire housebuilding site manager wins prestigious excellence award https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26630548.north-yorkshire-manager-wins-national-housebuilding-award/?ref=rss Wed, 14 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 dc14ef42ba106829e7e85aea74dc6e21 gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht A new chapter in the amazing Story of County Durham https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26617405.new-chapter-amazing-story-county-durham/?ref=rss Tue, 13 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0100 0c0b3562c922e4da230d0e3354ef4dde mike.hughes@newsquest.co.uk | Mike Hughes Green light for £160m programme to create digital and creative hubs in Tees Valley https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26631232.green-light-160m-digital-creative-hubs-tees-valley/?ref=rss Wed, 14 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 948d340911e4dda015f6f2fc61a1ae2f gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht 'Over the moon' Sunderland Indian restaurant crowned best for street food in UK https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26633381.sunderlands-babaji-crowned-crowned-best-street-food-uk/?ref=rss Tue, 13 Oct 2026 17:30:00 +0100 8cd19e3a8c89d9e07d610a8a1af39974 will.foxx@newsquest.co.uk | Will Foxx How one of Darlington's oldest cafés is still gaining more customers after 80 years https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26632001.family-run-darlington-caf-still-gaining-new-customers-80-years/?ref=rss Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0100 30e59d263f98ab6ed1cea76c3e7315ad joseph.mclachlan@newsquest.co.uk | Joseph McLachlan Darlington charity's new boss warns of income crisis as losses mount https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26627529.darlington-charity-tandem-loses-money-bookings-fall/?ref=rss Tue, 13 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 0b74aab7dcd42eb528d219b9d3c76f25 gengelbrecht@newsquest.co.uk | Gavin Engelbrecht