By Martin Walker
The steering group of Aycliffe Business Park Community (ABPC) has set out ambitious plans for the year ahead as it gears up for its first birthday.
A special event is being held at the Xcel Centre on the park, on Friday 31st January from 8am, to celebrate the group’s first anniversary.
As well as regular news and networking sessions, with revamped formats, the steering group is also planning a series of specialist best practice events, when firms will get a chance to take part in free seminars staged by local business leaders on the park.
Steering group chair Kerina Clark, manager of the Xcel Centre, said: “I think it’s right to celebrate what has been achieved over the last year but we also need to look ahead to the coming year.
“As well as the regular events we’re also looking to organise an event which will further enhance the links between businesses and schools.
“A lot of work has already gone into this – such as the acclaimed Apprenticeship Awareness Programme, which both Woodham Academy and Greenfield Community College took part in.”
Later in the year there will also be an event which will give community and voluntary groups an opportunity to talk to businesses and explore areas of mutual benefit”
The steering group is also asking local businesses to engage in feedback and surveys to enable them to improve future programmes.
Vice-chair of the group Pamela Petty, managing director of Ebac, added: “We need to know what is working, and what is the attraction for attendees.
“Every company differs from one to another and their needs aren’t necessarily the same. Some will purely find the networking useful, some will find the best practice sessions more valuable and others just want to be part of the business community.
“We need to make more businesses on the Park be aware of what we are doing and get them involved. We’re seeing a lot of SMEs at events, but we also want the bigger companies to show their hand and see what we’re all about.”
The event will take an opportunity to look at the opportunities for growth on the Park and the opportunities for businesses to help shape the future rather than just letting it happen.
To find out more about the birthday event on 31st January, click here
