Darlington Business Week is set to return for a fifth year from Monday 4 October 2021 with a host of activities aimed at supporting local businesses through a series of free online and in person events. The week has been organised by Darlington Borough Council’s Business Growth Team, who are on hand throughout the year to offer advice and assistance to local businesses and those who are considering starting-up or moving to the area. This year’s highlights include an international motivational speaker, updates on local developments, and bespoke workshops to support post-covid business growth.
Business Week 2021 starts with a series of interactive workshops to help businesses with aspects of recovery, including support for going digital, developing new markets, and exploring the opportunity for improving workforce skills.
Business start-up specialists TEDCO will be hosting a full programme of online workshops to support those who wish to follow their dream and set up their own business. They are a professional organisation dedicated to supporting people as they begin their own business journey from concept to conception.
Meanwhile, existing businesses can take advantage of the Business Funding, Finance and Support update on Tuesday 5 October. Featuring numerous support, grant funding and financial organisations, who can answer questions and provide impartial advice. Other sessions include ‘How To Win Public Sector Contracts, hosted by North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO), ‘Employment Law and Employee Rights Post-Covid’ hosted by BHP Law, and various networking opportunities with Darlington Business Club, Federation of Small Business and the North East Chamber of Commerce.
Teesside University returns on Wednesday 6 October with their Business Exchange, featuring guest speaker Paul McGee, one of the world’s leading motivational speakers on change, workplace relationships, leadership, and customer service. Paul’s work has been endorsed by Sir Clive Woodward of the British Olympic Association, and he has appeared on BBC Breakfast television, as well as regular contributions to Radio 5live.
The week programme culminates with presentations by the Council’s Chief Executive, Ian Williams, and Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen on how new developments in Darlington and the Tees Valley are set to have a positive impact on the area and the wide ranging benefits and opportunities they may bring.
Councillor Alan Marshall, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said:
“The unprecedented time we have all experienced with Covid-19 has led to huge challenges for the local economy. Simply to survive, every business, employer and employee has had to show agility and flexibility to adapt to the ever-evolving environment and changing priorities. As we move into a period of recovery, issues and challenges still remain, but I believe that by working together, we can be successful. That’s why Darlington Business Week 2021 is so important to the town.
“The Week will bring a range of events and workshops aimed at local businesses who are at different stages in their business journey, including those who are yet to start theirs. There’s a full and varied programme of activities that will appeal to a wide range of businesses, and I’m particularly looking forward to welcoming Paul McGee to our town. Building on his background in psychology, Paul aims to deliver a practical, relevant message that can make an immediate impact on people’s personal and professional lives.
“With a pandemic and Brexit, the past few years have presented so many challenges to all businesses and this week of free events will go some way to give local businesses the tools and skills they need to address these head on and grow and develop.
“A big thank you to all the organisations who are working with us to deliver what I hope will be a really productive and useful week for Darlington businesses.”
This year’s Business Week takes into account the uncertainty felt by some, but the desire to return to a sense of normality, and the events are a mix of both online and physical events.
For a full list of all of the free events and to book a place, visit www.investindarlington.co.uk/events or email business.support@darlington.gov.uk