The Aycliffe Business Park group held one of their regular News and Networking Meetings last Friday with around 70 people in attendance. Held at the Xcel Centre the breakfast meeting began with bacon and sausage sandwiches, fruit with hot cups of tea and coffee presenting an opportunity for members of the business community to meet socially and talk shop. The meeting began with a welcome by Chairperson Kerina Clarke who informed everyone how well the organisation was performing announcing an update on the ABP website, putting Aycliffe on the Map and the forthcoming Awards Dinner in March.
Other board members Rachel Townsend Green and Steve Robson covered other important business topics and this was followed by information on Durhamworks, Durham Lumiere and Aycliffe Business Park expansion. Andy Palmer from DCC talked on the work being carried out at Forrest Park, near Macdonalds, explaining the reasoning behind the new Aycliffe Business Park entrance. This County Council initiative was justified by the arrival of Hitachi and the prospect of other investment at Aycliffe including the possibility of a new Rail Freight Interchange. It was clear from the Questions and Answer session that the DCC role will stop after the infrastructure is completed. Thereafter the future relied on them marketing the site to developers. When Newton News asked if any consideration has been given to providing a Retail Park at this site, they received an emphatic NO!
