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EST. 1981 Change is the only constant
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North East Times Magazine
Covering COVID-19 in the North East_
No
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North East Times Magazine
Covering COVID-19 in the North East_
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Covering COVID-19 in the North East
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North East Times Magazine
Covering COVID-19 in the North East_
Welcome to the latest edition of North East Times. Here,
our business journalist Richard Dawson looks back on
his reporting of the coronavirus pandemic and explains
his thinking about the new editorial direction of the
magazine and what you, our readers, can expect.
4I’ve been working on this magazine Retention Scheme (CJRS), under which
for a little over two years now and I can the Government paid 80 per cent of the
honestly say I’ve never been prouder of salaries of furloughed workers.
the publication we are trying to build. The CJRS coincided with the first
It would have been all too easy when national lockdown, which literally brought
the coronavirus pandemic hit last year to the whole UK economy to a halt. UK GDP
have side-lined editorial and concentrated shrank by an unprecedented 20.4 per cent
solely on the commercial side of the in April 2020.
business, like many other publishers did. What came next were a series of eye-
But we recognised that COVID-19 made wateringly bad economic forecasts, from
regionally-focused, independent business the Bank of England’s claim in May about
journalism more important than ever. the UK having its worst recession for 300
We also recognised this was a false years to the OECD claiming in June the
dichotomy. worst global recession for 100 years, with
The reason people invest in North East Britain being the hardest hit.
Times is because the magazine is well In July, August and September came
read, because there is real journalism on the false dawn to end all false dawns –
our pages that gets right to the heart of PMI surveys and economic data began to
matters across the business landscape. point towards a V-shaped recovery over
I’m delighted our partners and the summer.
advertisers have continued to support But by October, the UK economy was
us during this challenging time. It’s their still 9.2 per cent smaller than it was in
support, which has enabled me to spend February, despite the Eat Out to Help Out
the last 12 months reporting on what scheme and Government spending on a
will probably be the biggest story of my scale never before seen.
career – coronavirus. October saw the emergence of local
Writing about the devastating lockdowns to tackle COVID-19’s second
economic impact of the virus has been wave, putting all hopes of a quick
a rollercoaster in every possible sense – recovery in the rear-view mirror.
both exhilarating and terrifying in equal I reported last April that the UK
measure. economy might not return to its late-2019
It started with the Stock Market Crash size until 2023 – and that could still be the
in early March 2020. I remember watching case. The last few months have seen the
in disbelief as the FTSE100 index plunged coming unemployment crisis gather pace,
10.87 per cent in a single session. with the UK headline jobless rate rising to
Then came the fabled Coronavirus Job 4.9 per cent.
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North East Times Magazine
Covering COVID-19 in the North East_
In the North East, the labour market rates in the country and thought that platform to express their opinions and
has deteriorated even faster, with nobody was doing anything about it. discuss the issues that matter most.
unemployment already up to 6.6 per cent How wrong I was, and how privileged As usual, there are also three feature
at the time of writing. I now am to be able to interview the interviews dotted throughout the
Against that backdrop came Rishi people who are changing the North East magazine.
Sunak’s Spending Review last November, for the better and taking advantage of the Here, we tell the story of someone
in which he announced it will cost the enormous opportunities that do exist in who has made a big impact at a regional,
Government £280 billion to get the this part of the world. national or international level.
country through coronavirus. At North East Times, we’re here to give Two of these interviews are linked to
The Chancellor also told of how the those opportunities a voice – to be the our new reports, which delve deep into a
budget deficit could reach £394 billion voice of business. sector or subject that has real resonance
by the end of this financial year – a That work continues with our new within the business community. These are
peacetime record. editorial direction, which as you can see, informed by expert comment from local
As we welcome in 2021, the full is quite different to anything being done people who can speak with real authority.
economic implications of the coronavirus by other regional business publications. In this month’s issue, we have also
crisis are still playing out, and I feel a The new North East Times is proactive included a long-form question and answer
special responsibility to continue to report as well as reactive to what’s going on in feature with North East local authority
on them. the world – it is a business magazine for leaders and officials, and introduced The
It’s a job I think I am well-placed to the North East, rather than a North East Last Word, a new question and answer
do, having graduated with an MA in business magazine. platform you can find on the last page.
International Political Economy from For that reason, we’ve made a series of 2021 is going to be another huge year
Newcastle University in 2017. changes to the layout of the publication for the North East with myriad challenges
Back then, I spent a lot of time that you’ll have no doubt noticed in the as we recover from months of coronavirus
researching the 2008/2009 Global previous two editions, and which continue restrictions, mass unemployment and
Financial Crisis and the economic, in this issue. GDP loss.
political and social fall out that followed. Firstly, our Business Briefing pages. It is our job to shine a light on how we
I never thought I’d be writing stories These are a series of digestible news can overcome these challenges together.
about an even bigger crash just three items looking at the latest developments, Our New Year’s resolution is to
years later. trends and technologies shaping the continue being the number one source of
What my degree didn’t teach me was economic and business landscape. information for all things business in the
much about the important role played They provide an overview of what’s North East and beyond.
by business in supporting economic happening in the North East and include
recoveries. important news you may have missed. I wish you all the best of luck with yours.
My academic mind looked at the fact Then comes our Contributor section.
the North East has one of the smallest This features exclusive columns written Richard Dawson
economies and highest unemployment by local business leaders, giving them a Business journalist
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Contents
The future of office space What the future holds for the places we spend
our working days in is one of the most interesting
p. 016
questions to have come out of the coronavirus
pandemic.
Words by Graeme Feechan
A recipe for recovery After starting out as a youngster in the kitchen of
a local restaurant, Dave Coulson went on to build
a career as a chef across the region before co-
founding Newcastle’s Peace & Loaf in 2013.
p. 024-029
Words by Steven Hugill
Moving to the next level When Tom Beardsmore and Paul Crabb met as
12-year-olds at secondary school, little did they know
a fantasy universe they created in the classroom,
with their teacher its fictional leader, would one day
p. 040-047
turn into a real-life business adventure.
Words by Steven Hugill
Impact List 2020 2020 brought a whole new meaning to the word
unprecedented, as the COVID-19 pandemic
transformed the very fabric of our lives and
communities. However, despite the many
p. 050-053
challenges, the region remained resolute, with its
famed ‘can-do’ attitude coming to the fore.
A new dawn breaking The COVID-19 pandemic may have thwarted many
plans in 2020, but the North East’s local authorities
aren’t letting the travails of the last year affect their
outlook for 2021.
p. 060-067
Words by Richard Dawson & Steven Hugill
Change is the only constant Switching a degree in engineering for a career in
communications, Stephen Waddington has made
a living out of embracing change.
p. 078-085
Words by Richard Dawson
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Contents
Credits
Editor Head office Advertising charges:
Steven Hugill South Northumberland Cricket Club, Roseworth There is a £25 charge for every set of
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designed by North East Times Magazine Ltd.
Business journalist
All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or
Richard Dawson
richard@netimesmagazine.co.uk
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stephensandgeorge.co.uk month or no responsibility is accepted for
Lead photographer
Christopher Owens errors. The opinions expressed in this issue are
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Advertisements:
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T: 07972 870 595 for North East Times, please contact the sales Magazine Ltd.
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Marketing manager
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T: 07493 555 509
chloe@netimesmagazine.co.uk
Strategic partners
Accounts
Jill Brown
jill@netimesmagazine.co.uk
Filmography
Andrew Lowe
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Contributors:
Graeme Feechan Partners
Nigel Scorer
Graham Soult
Ellen Thinnesen
10Editor’s word
word
Editor’s
Steven Hugill wonders what will come next as we leave behind a challenging 2020…
4Are you still into making New Year’s mechanisms and nurturing framework,
resolutions? Tom reveals how the Sunderland video
Or have you long since given up on the games studio is ready to move to a new
process, having seen previous attempts level following its acquisition by Sweden’s
fade away before January’s second week is Thunderful Group.
through? Taking the story a stage further, we
Initially, I thought the notion of setting examine the North East’s relationship with
new personal goals in the midst of a global the Scandinavian country and find a strong
pandemic was somewhat incongruous, bond that promises job creation and a boost
given our ongoing, collective battle to defy to the region’s economy.
COVID-19. We approach Britain’s laborious European
But the more I considered the point, Union exit by speaking to Projector’s Phil
the more I realised it is, in fact, the very Lowery and Unwritten Group’s Lisa Eaton,
opposite. looking at how the country could move past
Amid such trying times, the value of its current crisis and come together behind
being aspirational and establishing tangible a national brand - ‘Global Britain’.
objectives has never been more important. We also speak to Stephen Waddington,
The landscapes we once knew remain a man with extensive media and
markedly skewed by COVID-19 and, at communications sector experience, to track
the time of writing, Britain’s protracted his career journey and look further into why
European Union divorce was still mired in 2021 represents a good time for businesses
painful ambiguity. to reset and thrive.
However, it nevertheless remains so that Finally, on the theme of laying foundations
2021 can be a year of much positive change for a prosperous 2021 and beyond, we
and progress – with target-setting and an speak to the region’s local authorities to find
ambitious ethos crucial to making it a reality. out more about their development plans,
To emphasise the point, this month’s which, despite the enduring challenging
magazine looks at opportunities for environment, only serve as a reminder of
the region’s business community and the ‘can-do’ attitude that exists so intensely
highlights significant investment deals and within the North East.
development plans that all stand ready to With all of that in mind, it’s probably
make a decisive impression on the North pertinent to finish on a quote from Stephen
East. that advises ‘change is the only constant’.
We also champion the spirit, drive and 2021 – certainly in the first half of the
innovation of the region’s businesspeople year – will no doubt require us to continue
in our Impact List, which acknowledges the bending and flexing to the difficulties
determination of individuals to adapt and caused by COVID-19, but with strong
thrive despite such unprecedented times. resolutions in place, we can meet such
Tackling the theme of growth, we speak adversity head on and deliver much
to Coatsink chief executive and co-founder positivity.
Tom Beardsmore.
A totem of the strength of our region’s I hope you enjoy this issue.
universities, its business support Steven
11Business
Briefing_
Business briefing
Your curated guide to the latest news, views, trends
and technologies shaping the economic and business
landscape of the North East.
‘Return to industrial powerhouse’ with 8000-job battery factory plans
Manufacturing
Ambitious plans to create and support pillar” in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s
around 8000 jobs at a new £2.6 billion ten-point plan for the UK’s green
battery plant will help reignite the region’s recovery.
Facts & Statistics
reputation as an industrial powerhouse, it He said: “We are delighted to have
has been claimed. secured this site in Blyth; this is a
Britishvolt and Britain’s green
Britishvolt is working on a blueprint to tremendous moment for Britishvolt and revolution at a glance
build the “world’s cleanest and greenest UK industry.
battery facility” on land at the former “Now we can really start the hard work
Blyth Power Station, in Northumberland. and begin producing lithium-ion batteries
Bosses say the base – described as for future electrified vehicles in just three
a gigaplant – will create 3000 direct years.
jobs and deliver and support up to 5000 “It is crucial for the UK automotive
supply chain posts by making hundreds of industry and for the entire economy that
thousands of lithium-ion batteries for the we are able to power the future.
UK’s automotive sector. “Blyth meets all of our exacting
4Hailing its factory as “one of the
They also claim it will represent “the requirements – it is on the doorstep largest manufacturing plants in the
largest industrial investment in the North of major transport links and is easily whole of Europe”, Britishvolt says it
East since Nissan’s arrival in 1984”. accessible to renewable energy and will create partnerships that reduce
costs, shorten logistics chains and
According to the company’s plans, the opportunity for a co-located supply lower CO2 emissions
construction work is set to begin in chain, which meets our target to make
summer 2021, with battery production our gigaplant the world’s cleanest and 4The company says its Blyth plant will
employ 3000 “highly-skilled” people
beginning by the end of 2023. greenest battery facility.”
and produce more than 300,000
Praising Britishvolt’s proposals, Blyth Orral added the factory will use lithium-ion batteries for the UK
Valley MP Ian Levy said they will “have renewable energy to help run operations, automotive industry by the final phase
of its project in 2027
a massive impact in the constituency which will potentially include hydro-
and the surrounding area for decades to electric power generated in Norway 4Bosses say their blueprint will tailor
come”. that will be transmitted to the UK via the Government efforts to deliver a
He said: “These jobs will not only return North Sea Link project. ten-point plan for a green industrial
revolution, which includes a focus on
the area to the status of an industrial Construction services company ISG electric vehicles
powerhouse but will help us retain our has been appointed to lead building work
graduates and provide a huge boost to on the plant. 4According to Downing Street’s
vision, it aims to back the UK’s car
struggling high streets. manufacturers, including Sunderland-
“I can’t think of anything comparable based Nissan, to “accelerate the
in the North East since Nissan invested in transition to electric vehicles and
transform national infrastructure to
Sunderland more than 35 years ago. better support electric vehicles”
“There is still much to do, but the
prospect of the UK’s first gigaplant on the 4Under the terms of its carbon-cutting
measures, the Government says it will
old Blyth Power Station site is amazing.”
end sales of new petrol and diesel
Outlining Britishvolt’s vision, chief cars and vans by 2030, with sales of
executive Orral Nadjari, said the hybrid cars and vans allowed until
company’s factory will stand as a “key 2035.
12Business
Briefing_
New £1.63 million funding Engineer adds weight to
will help with ‘data COVID-19 response
revolution’ drive Health
Technology
A North East engineering firm has played
a crucial role in the UK’s ongoing battle
against COVID-19.
Gateshead-based WHP has created
a viral vector manufacturing centre for Ashdan Consulting supports
Oxford Biomedica, which is being used £1 million Northumberland
for the worldwide manufacture and development
distribution of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus Development
vaccine.
Bosses say WHP was responsible for A construction consultancy is supporting
the design and build of the facility, which a £1 million Northumberland hospitality
included creating a full 3D BIM model development. Consett-based Ashdan
that featured clean room architecture and Consulting is providing project
process and critical utilities systems. management and quantity surveying
A regional centre of excellence
services for Windsor Developments’ two-
has been awarded £1.63 million to
storey beach restaurant in Beadnell.
drive a data revolution.
Designed by Newcastle’s xsite
The National Innovation Centre
architecture, the building will offer a
for Data is pressing ahead with
surfer style bar and takeaway area, with
work to help businesses bolster
formal dining space upstairs.
productivity and innovation
Bosses say the venture, which is
following funding from the North
expected to be completed this summer,
of Tyne Combined Authority.
will create up to 15 full-time jobs and
Steve Caughey [pictured],
around 40 part-time and holiday posts.
director of the £30 million
Newcastle-based hub, said
the cash will enable firms to
introduce new skills and allow
the region to lead in data-driven Jobs pledge in new £3 million produce hub
economic growth. Retail
He said: “While we are
already engaged with many An entrepreneur has pledged to deliver 60 jobs in £3 million plans to create “the largest
organisations, it tends to be the importer and distributor of fresh produce in the North of England”.
larger, national companies that John Holland is spearheading work to transform an ex-truck depot on Team Valley
are initially seeking assistance. Trading Estate into a 25,000sq ft-plus covered fruit and vegetable hub.
“But we’ve worked with Expected to open in early 2021, John, chief executive of JR Holland Group, said the
the North of Tyne Combined development will be “a one-stop fresh produce hub of the future”, adding it will serve
Authority to provide a mechanism customers that include restaurants, hospitals, caterers and education sector clients.
to let us focus on businesses Simon Haggie, of Knight Frank, acquired the property on behalf of John, with
here. building works project managed by Ian Tew, also of Knight Frank.
“Organisations can now collect
huge amounts of data from
customer and product-related
software systems, sensors and
social media.
“With our assistance, they can
gain the skills they need to obtain
insight from their data, enabling
them to innovate and create cost
efficiencies or new products and
services.”
13Business
Briefing_
Mayor hails ‘world-class’ Family transport firm ‘standing
potential as development out for new business’ after
site approved Grundfos deal
Development Logistics
A regeneration boss says Tees A family-run transport company says it
Valley has strengthened its position has boosted its market potential after
Mobile Mini ready to grow at the forefront of the UK’s clean securing a contract with the world’s
after ‘more positives than energy drive after “game-changing” largest water pump maker.
negatives’ plans to deliver 9000 jobs were Moody Logistics and Storage is working
Logistics approved. with Danish-based Grundfos.
Permission was granted late last Moody picked up the agreement after
Bosses at a portable container and
year to transform 4.5 million sq ft gaining Fleet Operator Recognition
building hire firm say it is primed
space on Redcar’s former SSI UK Scheme (FORS) accreditation, which
for expansion after confounding
steelworks site, which Tees Valley recognises firms setting exemplary
COVID-19. Mobile Mini officials say the
Mayor Ben Houchen says will best practice in safety, efficiency and
Stockton-headquartered company is
deliver a “world-class” wind turbine environmental protection.
ready to grow following strong demand
manufacturing hub. Caroline Moody, group managing
in new sectors during the pandemic.
“Teesside is already leading the director of the Cramlington-based
Andrew Thompson, managing
way for the rest of the UK to follow haulier, said: “Being a FORS operator
director [pictured], said: “COVID-19
with our clean energy plans, but demonstrates we are exceeding industry
has accelerated our strategic sector
this takes us to the next stage,” said standards, which enables us to stand out
expansion plans, and we have seen an
Mayor Houchen. when competing for new business.”
expansion in non-construction clients.
“The year has brought many more
positives than negatives.” He added
the firm’s growth plans include taking
delivery of a £2.5 million order this
month and expanding its HGV
crane fleet.
Vianet Group in good spirits
despite impact of pub closures
Digital
A data monitoring firm says it remains
“confident of long-term success”,
despite picking up an operating loss
and seeing revenues halve amid the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Vianet Group recorded an adjusted
operating loss of £380,000 and saw
six-month revenues fall to £4.07 million Work completed on ‘jewel in the crown’ Hadrian’s Tower
from £8.41 million in the previous Construction
corresponding period after traditional
hospitality sector customers were Construction of a landmark city centre building has been completed.
forced to close last year. Contractor Tolent has officially handed over Hadrian’s Tower [pictured] to developer
However, speaking last month, and owner, The High Street Group.
chairman James Dickson said: “trading Featuring a mix of studio, one and two-bedroom apartments and three, three-
has been ahead of internal revised bedroom penthouse suites, the 26-storey tower – which stands as Newcastle’s tallest
revenue and profit forecasts.” building – also includes the 3SIXTY champagne and cocktail lounge.
Vianet’s services include software Gary Forrest, chairman of The High Street Group, said: “Hadrian’s Tower reflects our
that allows pub operators to monitor strategy to create sustainable communities where people can buy or rent for the long-
beer volume and flow. term and is a real jewel in the crown of our development portfolio.”
14Business
Briefing_
Kromek delight at £460,000
contract extensions
Technology News you may have missed
A technology firm known for helping
Transport
thwart terror plots has secured deals
worth £460,000. 4Elmtronics drives on with
Sedgefield’s Kromek has been £1.5 million investment
awarded two contract extensions by a
European government-related company A County Durham electric vehicle
to provide network solutions of its D3S- charging company says it will almost
related technologies to counter nuclear double its workforce after securing
terrorism. a £1.5 million investment. Consett’s
The NETPark-based firm’s D3S product Elmtronics aims to create 19 new
suite is capable of identifying terror posts in the coming months and
threats such as ‘dirty bombs,’ and bosses bolster its software amid work to
say the company’s fresh deals will help accelerate the national roll out of
its customer protect against potential vehicle power points. The investment
nuclear threats. – secured via the North East Venture
Dr Arnab Basu, Kromek chief executive Fund, which is supported by the
[pictured], said: “D3S is at the forefront European Regional Development
of innovative solutions being adopted by Fund and managed by Mercia,
governments worldwide for countering and the Ingenious Infrastructure
nuclear terrorism.” Ventures EIS Service – comes as the
Government ramps up plans to ban
the sale of new petrol and diesel cars
from 2030.
Engineering
eQuality Solutions plots growth 4Tekmar Group remains
after £20 million investment confident despite COVID-19
supports buy-out hit
Technology
A County Durham marine
North East-headquartered eQuality engineering firm has been forced
Solutions aims to triple revenue over the to cut jobs after being hit by the
next three years following a management COVID-19 pandemic. Tekmar Group
buy-out. has trimmed its workforce by six per
The Hebburn company secured £20 cent – and is reviewing more efficient
million investment from London-based use of its manufacturing footprint –
Shard Credit Partners to fund the deal, after “significant disruption across
which was led by chief executive Andy the globe created inefficiencies in
Gough. the supply chain”. However, bosses at
He says the firm – which provides the Newton Aycliffe-based operator
assistive technology equipment, training say they have “profound confidence
and software solutions to help remove in the fundamentals” of the business,
barriers to learning – will grow through a adding it is well positioned to take
rapid “buy and build” strategy. advantage of future opportunities in
“We are confident we can grow the the offshore wind sector.
across the UK and take advantage of the
many new opportunities we see ahead,”
said Andy. For more news and views across the
North East, visit our website @
www.netimesmagazine.co.uk/news
15Guest contributor
Graeme Feechan_
An inspiring environment Words by Graeme Feechan
ADP Architecture commercial director
to work
Design
By Nigel Scorer, director at interior The future of office space
architecture and design practice
Contents Design What the future holds for the places we spend our working days
in is one of the most interesting questions to have come out of the
coronavirus pandemic. With flexibility and collaboration the new
watchwords, ADP Architecture’s commercial director Graeme
Feechan looks ahead to how office space will continue to adapt to
our new ways of working.
42020 was a year when the virtual have staff in a single room from Monday to
triumphed over the physical in almost Friday. At ADP, we’re drawing on our higher
every way, and social distancing measures education experience to design workplaces
have tested communities to breaking point. where people can safely meet, interact and
At Contents Design, we see the It’s therefore somewhat ironic that share ideas in inspiring settings.
future of the workplace being a community spaces – real, physical spaces The key is adding value in an era of more
hybrid of working from home, at a – are set to be the biggest long-term choice, and new workplaces will need to
community hub and at a ‘central benefactors of the lessons we’ve learned. offer facilities that are unavailable at home,
experience’. Although measures to control the while actively promoting wellbeing.
The ‘central experience’ will be COVID-19 pandemic have varied wildly, Not all office space can adapt to this
a place to bring everyone together a few key pieces of advice have stayed style of working, and we’ll see many other
to experience the vision, brand, consistent. uses – including residential, healthcare and
goal and character of a business, Perhaps the most enduring – short of education – making their way into prime
and then feel energised to be washing your hands – has been to work city centre locations. We should welcome
productive anywhere, with a sense from home if you can, and few could have these with open arms.
of purpose and belonging. anticipated just how much we’d realise we Our planning system and sectorised
Community hubs will be either can work from home. economy – fuelled by political dogma –
co-working spaces or dedicated Conventional office space represents a have spent many years hollowing out our
satellite locations within local huge portion of our highly connected and town and city centres.
communities (high streets) to allow amenable city centres – second only to In their place came monocultural
people to work, meet and socialise retail space. shopping or working zones, which
near the places they live. With the realisation that working from become inactive and even unsafe at
The space in which you work home is possible on a wide scale, those different times of the day, week and
will no longer be a sea of uniform spaces that survive will need to adapt. year. While small towns and villages are
desks and chairs, but an inspiring This challenge shouldn’t surprise us; the benefiting from commuters who live
environment based upon activity days of rows and rows of white desks in there now staying put, our city centres
themes such as social, meet, vast, open-plan, mechanically ventilated will need time and creativity from a wide
collaborate and concentrate. spaces have been numbered for some range of stakeholders if they’re to evolve
The benefits of this hybrid time. successfully.
workspace are fewer cars, less A new generation of employees, fresh As we play our own part in this, it’s
travel time, increased productivity, out of university where flexible, creative important to remember the lessons we
greater wellbeing and healthier and collaborative ways of working have learned in 2020 – most important of
lifestyles, which is better for become the norm, have partly driven which is that people are the basis of our
employees, employers and the this change. But the pandemic – and the economy, and that by acting together, we
planet. technological advances that have followed can create and learn to value places which
– have stripped away any lingering wish to reflect our diverse needs.
16Guest contributor
Graham Soult_
Shopping’s changing landscape
Retail
When Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia well-known names.
empire tumbled into administration But could there yet be hope amid
late last year, just hours before high the despair?
street bellwether Debenhams, it According to a report from PWC,
marked another significant body blow retail – and therefore the high street
for the UK’s traditional retail sector. – can remain a strong element within
Having fought to stave off the rise of the wider shopping sphere, as long as
online shopping’s convenience factor businesses adapt to the ever-changing
for years, the ‘bricks and mortar’ landscape.
landscape was sent into a tailspin by Arguing the COVID-19 crisis has
the appeal of local, independent shops,
COVID-19. “simply accelerated a restructuring
and there is a strong sense of that trend
With enforced store closures and that was already needed”, PWC says
having continued.
many customers taking a safety-first that “while the pandemic has created
Again, none of this is new, but
approach to physical shopping, the a step change in underlying consumers
COVID-19 has turbocharged the high
pandemic provided a cruel tipping trends, whatever happens, retail will
street trends that were already underway
point for some of the high streets most come out of this smaller but stronger.”
before: the relative decline of big-name
stores; a renewed appetite for distinctive,
local experiences; and, alongside, a
recognition that the most successful
high streets are those that combine
shopping with a wide range of social and
community uses.
Words by Graham Soult Durham, where I manage the Indie
Retail consultant at CannyInsights.com
Durham City business support project
for City of Durham Parish Council,
The high street keeps evolving – but exemplifies many of these trends.
Some national chains have indeed
it is far from dead departed – mostly due to problems or
strategy changes at the UK level – but
It’s fair to say that 2020 was a challenging year for bricks-and- there is also plenty of cause for optimism.
mortar retail and hospitality businesses – but even amid the Major developments in the city show it
COVID-19 pandemic, there are reasons to be positive about the remains a popular place to invest and do
future of our high streets, says Graham Soult. business, while a raft of new independent
retail openings in November and
December demonstrate that, even amid
4While the collapse of big names there is another showing how it’s done. adversity, there is opportunity.
like Debenhams and Arcadia has The enforced closure of ‘non-essential With 2021 bringing more city centre
understandably captured headlines, the retailers’ during lockdown impacted housing, leisure and hotels – plus the
problems of struggling chains typically go everyone, but those with desirable long-awaited Durham Distillery attraction
back much further than COVID-19. products, efficient operations and a clear – Durham is doing all the right things.
Debenhams, for example, is a business sense of who their customers are – such For too long, we encouraged mono-use
saddled with debt, and with too many as Next and Primark – have been best retail quarters that were deserted after
stores on onerous leases. equipped to bounce back. hours and made every city look and feel
Arcadia, meanwhile, has failed to invest At the same time, one silver lining the same.
enough in its iconic brands, e-commerce of the pandemic has been consumers’ The emerging high street is vibrant,
sites or instore ‘wow factor’, and has fallen growing appetite to ‘shop local’. mixed-use and full of local personality
behind rivals as a result. During the first lockdown, many – which is something to be genuinely
However, for every struggling retailer, shoppers discovered, or rediscovered, positive about.
17Opinion
Devolution_
Speaking to North East Times, Sarah democracy could be improved and how
Longlands, director at the IPPR North we could better involve people in the
think tank, says: “To me, the fund decisions that really affect their lives.”
doesn’t really start to deal with some of Sarah believes regional inequalities
The wheels of devolution are the fundamentals of why we have such are going to take a long time to reverse
already in motion an unlevel country.” and that competitive funds controlled
Politics Around 66 per cent of the North by Westminster (i.e. the Levelling Up
of England is covered by some kind Fund) may not be the best way to
of devolution deal, yet none of the achieve that.
The recently announced £4 billion £4 billion Levelling Up Fund will be For her, devolution holds the key to a
Levelling Up Fund is the Government’s allocated to the combined authorities more regionally equal UK.
latest attempt to show communities created as a result of these settlements. Fortunately, the wheels of devolution
across the North of England that it Sarah says: “I know it’s difficult are already in motion.
is serious about reducing regional because we have a patchwork of She adds: “We have moved forward
inequalities. devolution arrangements across the in that we’ve got mayors now in
While the funding will undoubtedly UK, but the Government could have different parts of the North, who are
bring benefits to communities in the considered some devolved funding starting to punch above their weight.
North, which could use some additional allocations. “Devolution isn’t a one-off event.
investment, some groups have said that “We’ve started down the road on “Once the genie is out of the bottle,
it’s an opportunity missed to further the devolution, but now we need to say that the Government won’t be able to put it
devolution agenda. devolution could help us reimagine how back in.”
Who is responsible for levelling up?
The question of whether or not the Government is making good on its promise to level up poorer
parts of the country is one of the most important and contentious subjects in regional economic
development circles. But is it really down to the Government to fix regional inequalities or does this
longstanding issue require a more holistic approach? Richard Dawson asks Made Tech chief executive
Rory MacDonald the question of who is responsible for levelling up?
Words by Richard Dawson
4Levelling up does not belong to any individual, business or One business looking at what it can do to support levelling up
government – it is something all of us must work together to is Made Tech – the public sector technology delivery provider for
achieve. Government departments that include HM Revenue & Customs,
Much has been made of it being the Boris Johnson levelling the Department for Education, Ministry of Justice and the
up agenda, but in reality, the principle of tackling inequalities Government Digital Service.
between the English regions is one that the UK has been The London-based company’s chief executive Rory MacDonald
grappling with for some time. is a big supporter of levelling up and has recently opened three
The recently announced £4 billion Levelling Up Fund is the new locations in Manchester, Bristol and Swansea, with plans for
latest contribution from the Government, but in and of itself, this a Newcastle office in the pipeline.
will not deliver the equanimity we seek. He says: “Fundamentally, I believe there’s too much wealth
To see a genuine reduction in the prosperity gap between concentrated in the South and we need to do more to encourage
London and the South East and regions like the North East, we businesses away from London.
need a holistic approach whereby individuals, businesses and “That’s part of the reason we embarked on a regionalisation
governments each play their part. strategy around 12 months ago.
For individuals, it’s about re-evaluating where they want to live “We were servicing the public sector, but mostly servicing it by
and work. For businesses, it’s about taking another look at the travelling a lot so, the thinking was, if we have closer proximity to
world beyond the M25. For the Government, it’s about working to our customers, we can be a more effective partner.
make the regions more attractive to both of the above. “But it was also about regional job creation and building the
18Opinion
Devolution_
skills our business needs in the regions. But in the context of coronavirus, where
“Newcastle is going to be a really working from home has become the
important area for us moving forward norm, many people are wondering if it’s
because the North East is such a hub for still necessary to tolerate these downsides
the public sector. There are a number of or whether a change of scenery could be
organisations in the region we’re looking in order.
to work with.” This is where regions like the North
On the whole, Rory supports the East could have a real opportunity.
emphasis behind the new Levelling Up Lower living costs and ease of access
Fund, but for him, the real change has to to coast and countryside are selling points
come from business. we Northerners have been waxing lyrical
“Any investment into levelling up is a about since the dawn of time.
positive thing,” he explains. “The onus has But the pandemic has given these
to be on business though. benefits fresh currency with the kind of
“I think the Government is there to people we need to attract here moving
stimulate it, to encourage levelling up to forward.
happen, but the onus has got to be on “COVID-19 could really help drive that
businesses to actually bite the bullet and agenda forward more quickly than many my view, in terms of what’s going to be
be based outside of London and the South people anticipated,” adds Rory. done to develop the right skills moving
East.” Getting the right skills into the regions forward.”
One thing that might encourage is a key component of levelling up The Levelling Up Fund is essentially an
businesses to bite that bullet is having because businesses go where the skills attempt the boost prosperity in parts of
a strong regional talent pool to draw are. the country that have been short of it.
from. This can be achieved by making the That’s why Rory believes investing in But what’s clear is that its success
regions more attractive for people to be skills would be the best way to make use depends on far more than a £4 billion
based in. of the Levelling Up Fund. commitment from the Government.
COVID-19 might have actually helped He says: “Things like infrastructure It depends on individuals and
matters in this respect. investment are positive because they help businesses biting the bullet and relocating
“There’s a lot of people living in London reduce bottlenecks to collaboration and to the regions, following the example of
who are questioning why they are living in connectivity. But it’s the development of companies like Made Tech.
London,” Rory explains. people and skills that is most important. Only with this holistic approach
A combination of sky-high house “It’s those skills that will drive will the UK be able to push away from
prices, long commutes and overcrowding entrepreneurialism and start new the unwanted title of being the most
have long cast a shadow over life in the businesses and create opportunities. regionally unequal country in the
capital. “I haven’t seen enough about that in developed world.
19Research_
Advertorial_MMC
A finger on the pulse centre return amid ongoing pandemic restrictions, it
turned to MMC.
Sunderland City Council’s public health and
communications teams also called on them for
assistance in understanding their residents’ perceptions
Research and strategic marketing agency
of COVID-19 restrictions, with housing provider
MMC is providing crucial insight that is
Bernicia tapping into MMC’s expertise to better
helping companies and organisations move
appreciate their employees’ stance on remote working.
forward in an ever-changing landscape.
“With Sunderland BID, our research discovered
Steven Hugill speaks to managing director
that people still wanted to support their local city
Natasha McDonough to find out more.
centre, however, they wanted to see things like active
cleaning in public spaces,” says Natasha, who has also
volunteered time to be part of a taskforce focused on
@MMC_Research
www.mmc.agency the economic recovery from COVID-19.
“The cleaning was happening, but by putting
videos on social media, the BID could showcase it and
therefore improve the impact of their messaging.
MMC SIMON SINEK IS UNLIKELY TO VISIT SUNDERLAND “Furthermore, our work with Sunderland City
- any time soon. Council helped them better understand how to engage
Natasha
McDonough But if the international author and motivational with some of their more vulnerable communities by
is the founder speaker ever does arrive on Wearside’s shores, he will running a peer research programme,” says Natasha,
and managing
director at be buoyed by what he sees. whose research team’s qualifications include a PhD
Sunderland- The pioneer of the ‘WHY’ theory – which argues in Public Health, Msc in Epidemiology, Prince2 and
based MMC. She
people fail to truly buy into a product, service, Market Research Society qualifications.
is also a Council
member and movement or idea until they have understood the “We discovered that people want to be empathised
area chair for ‘WHY’ behind it – is an equally fierce advocate of with and thanked for their co-operation with the
the North East
England Chamber business leader empathy. COVID-19 measures in place.
of Commerce, Which is why, if he makes it to Sunderland, and “Our work helped them find the right tone with their
a governor at
University of specifically the offices of market research and strategic messaging, which then fed into the region’s wider
Sunderland and marketing agency MMC, the British-born American will campaign led by the LA7,” continues Natasha, who
was awarded
feel right at home. founded MMC in 2015.
Fellow status by
the Chartered Led by Natasha McDonough, MMC has its finger on “Bernicia very quickly wanted to know how staff felt
Institute of the pulse of the North East’s business landscape, with about going into the workplace, and adopting agile
Marketing in 2017.
Sinek’s values at the heart of its health check. working, and our support meant they were able to
Conducting detailed market research – including make people feel valued and safe immediately.
both qualitative and quantitative methodologies – it “We carried out in-depth, discreet interviews with
gauges the proficiency of clients’ messaging and various staff members and then pulled together a
output, which in turn leads to meaningful improvement. thematic analysis of our findings alongside a staff
“When we carry out market research, we always survey, which resulted in recommendations on how to
keep in mind that whatever we find out for clients has roll out agile working.”
to be meaningful, and it has to help them transform the Although highlighting MMC’s proficiency during the
way they operate and communicate,” says Natasha. pandemic, such work also provides a valuable window
“The insights we reveal often provide what we call into the future.
the ‘meaningful why’.” With many businesses plotting new courses
The list of operators to have benefited from MMC’s following COVID-19, MMC’s insight, says Natasha, will
analysis has grown over recent months, with many act as a compass to map out their respective journeys.
adjusting their approach to COVID-19 messaging with “We can answer questions that companies perhaps
the support of Natasha and her experienced team of didn’t even know they had,” she says.
researchers and marketing strategists. “We can explore opportunities in new markets,
When Sunderland Improvement District (BID) needed run competitor analysis, and produce go-to-market
help to understand consumers’ appetite for a city strategies off the back of them.
20Research_
Advertorial_MMC
biggest clients.
“By interviewing some of their clients, we were able
to find out what their customers wanted from them
and what their customers didn’t understand about their
wider offer.
“This resulted in an in-depth report helping them
understand their ‘WHY’, which we then translated into
a marketing strategy – off the back of which they’ve
been able to land a deal this year that will potentially
turn into six figures.”
It isn’t just the commercial landscape that holds
MMC’s line of focus, though.
Last year, the company worked with the Association
of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) in the region on
a study exploring the correlation between debt and
suicide.
MMC undertook an academic literature review
before performing a service mapping exercise to assess
how local authorities help individuals with extreme
mental health and financial issues.
Natasha says: “Our team identified areas of best
practice and then presented ways forward in a shared
learning event where we delivered the findings in a
virtual event to more than 80 public and mental health
professionals.”
Natasha also last year offered her staff counselling
sessions and surveyed leaders nationally to evaluate
the mental impact of COVID-19.
The study, supported by the North East England
Chamber of Commerce and North East Counselling
Service, found more than half of businessowners
felt their mental health had worsened since the
first lockdown, and Natasha says it has already laid
foundations for a refreshed approach to wellbeing.
“We’re also able to support start-ups through some “Empathy is at the core of our values here at MMC,”
of our ERDF fully-funded programmes, which we run she says.
on behalf of Digital City in Teesside and Sunderland “I struggled with my own mental health during the
Software City,” says Natasha. first lockdown – anxiety and concern about balancing
However, it isn’t just organisations rallying against home schooling and the running of the businesses.
COVID-19 where MMC – which late last year became “I thought that if I felt like this then others must be
research partner to Sunderland AFC’s Foundation of doing so too, and I wanted to see what kind of help and
Light charity – is finding market traction. support people wanted,” continues Natasha.
The company’s expertise is also helping businesses “There is a lot of business coaching out there, but
invert established beliefs and practices that have, in sometimes you want to talk about how you’re doing
some cases, become detrimental to their progress. mentally, rather than just financially!
“There exists the danger of presumption, where “The response of the survey was overwhelming –
companies presume they’re doing everything they can it showed me that people really value peer-to-peer
for a client, but we reveal there’s way more opportunity support and our findings helped with a couple of events
available,” says Natasha. the Chamber held too.
“We work with a fantastic engineering company “Social support is definitely something we’ll develop
called Owben, which counts Nissan as one of its more in 2021 and across future years.”
21Recruitment_
Advertorial_Jackson Hogg
Advancing recruitment into valued talent partnerships
The businesses that succeed are the ones that truly understand their values and deliver on
their promises. Jackson Hogg is one such company. Having regained momentum built up
before lockdown, the Newcastle firm is pressing ahead with international expansion plans
from its regional base – all while remaining committed to providing its long-standing clients
with the tailored, personal services they have come to expect. Steven Hugill finds out more.
www.jacksonhogg.com
@JacksonHoggRec
“You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” training programmes,” says Richard, who set up the
Those words belong to psychologist Carl Jung firm in 2012.
but could so easily be framed on the wall of Jackson “Having someone with the ability to go out and
Hogg’s Newcastle office. speak to businesses and provide effective HR advice is
As people, Jung theorised that we are defined by our invaluable, as is our associate training offering.
commitment to actions, rather than words. “The latter is all about upskilling, developing and
The Swiss died in the early 1960s, but at specialist mentoring, and we connect clients with experts in
global recruitment and outsourced people services relevant fields who input valuable knowledge to a
partner Jackson Hogg, his philosophy lives on. team,” continues Richard, who reveals the business is
“We are much more than just a North East working with companies in the UK’s life science ‘golden
recruitment agency, our core value is care, it is central triangle’ of Oxford, Cambridge and London.
to everything we do and we live out our values every A flagship element within Jackson Hogg’s support
day” says founder and chief executive Richard Hogg. framework, however, is its Talent Partnerships.
“We go above and beyond for companies – we help Acting as internal recruitment managers, its Talent
them achieve growth and prosperity through their Partners work on-site with clients of all sizes to lead
people.” the employment process, which, says chief operations
The support Richard alludes to is delivered via officer Anthony Broadhead, delivers clients’ headcount
a number of strands, which when bound together, plans whilst increasing the speed of recruitment,
provide value-driven talent services that span from controlling cost and improving the candidate journey.
professional entry level through to senior board “Our Talent Partners bind us with a client; we
appointments. essentially become one company ensuring our service
Adopting a people-led approach, Jackson Hogg is delivered with an alignment of values.
tailors services to meet clients’ specifications, with “They are a hugely differentiating factor between us
bespoke support programmes offering partners – and the rest of the marketplace.
which include many well-known North East firms, “Dedicated members of the team are accountable
as well as companies across the Atlantic in the USA to the hiring managers and senior decision-makers and
– invaluable assistance with recruitment, networking, liaise with our specialist consultants on assignments to
training and HR. ensure the best people that meet clients’ requirements
Working internationally across sectors that include are chosen for interview.
manufacturing, engineering, science and technology, “It means clients are happy and have real-time
the company is also building an ever-increasing communication and feedback with management
reputation in the pharmaceutical, life sciences and information at any time.
construction industries. “We can do that because of the talent we have, and
All of which, says Richard, differentiates the business because of the values, culture and processes we have
markedly from competitors – and further highlights its in place,” adds Anthony, who reveals the business has
commitment to delivering tangible, effective action. recently taken on a duo with considerable life sciences
“We provide outsourced HR services and bespoke sector experience to bolster its offering in that sphere.
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