A popular networking event which has connected hundreds of businesses in County Durham has celebrated its second birthday.
Durham 2sday was created by Business Durham, the economic development company for County Durham. It has attracted more than 1,000 businesses to Esquire’s Coffee Shop in Durham City on the second Tuesday of every month since it was set up two years ago.
David Thomas, investment manager at NEL Fund Managers Ltd, based in Team Valley, said the event was a great way of reaching some of the many small businesses they invest in across the North East.
“Durham is very important to us as a centre for business, which is why I’ve been actively involved with Durham 2sday since it started,” he said. “For me, it’s about making solid connections with some excellent regional businesses and then strengthening those relationships with time. It also provides an invaluable platform for exchanging business knowledge. It’s very good for that because of it’s informal agenda and the huge cross section of different businesses that attend.”
Alison Schreiber, who runs Durham-based The HR Dept, offering human resources support to small and medium businesses, has also been going to Durham 2sday since it began.
“There’s a good mix of businesses and it’s open to everyone,” she said. “I’ve built up some good relationships along the way but there’s also the chance to meet new people. It’s easy because you can just turn up.”
Sarah Slaven, interim managing director of Business Durham, which works on behalf of Durham County Council, said: “Durham 2sday has proved to be a great success as a way of helping businesses to connect and share their extensive knowledge. It’s relaxed and informal atmosphere has added to its popularity.”
Photo: Sarah Slaven, interim managing director of Business Durham, centre, with members of the Business Durham team and local businesses celebrate the second birthday of the popular Durham 2sday event
