In a bid to keep the West End Youth Enquiry Services (WEYES) up and running _space build have delivered this essential building refurbishment on time and to budget after 26 weeks of work.

And _space surveying, part of Space Group, gave the charity free design and surveying services to completely renovate the building.

Space Group chief executive Rob Charlton said: “This building refurbishment has safeguarded the future of this charity and the great work it is doing. Space Group has fully completed the design and build of this project, and we are delighted with the results.

“Space Group is absolutely passionate about creating and maintaining sustainable communities, and Children North East is our chosen charity, so we were only too pleased to donate all our design services in kind because we know the project will make so much difference to hard-to-reach young people who live, work or go to school in the West End.

“I would like to thank all the other sponsors and supporters who have provided any building materials, interiors features or time to this scheme. It’s wonderful to see its doors finally open after all the hard work of everyone involved.”

The WEYES project, run by charity Children North East, has been operating out of a rundown Victorian building in Graingerville North, West Newcastle, for a decade.

In May 2008, the charity was forced to move into temporary accommodation on Grainger Park Road as the building was in such a bad condition.

_space surveying completed the designs for a suite of new treatment rooms, a new waiting area, kitchen and toilet facilities, an office and ‘open zone’ rehabilitation area. A library and health room are also available for young people.

Children North East chief executive Jeremy Cripps said: “Children North East is delighted that Space Group has joined us in investing in the future of young people of Benwell and Elswick in the west of Newcastle. Through their expertise the whole project has come in on time and on budget. And we are delighted with the result.”

Former independent financial adviser Lawton set up Dual Concept Marketing in 2008, allowing members to meet both in regular exhibitions and dinners as well as through social networking sites.

He re-branded the business as ipnconnect in May, and is hoping to unveil a procurement and collaboration section within the members-only site later this year.

Mr Lawton believes ipnconnect will be a “beacon of light” which can thrive when public sector cuts hit, as its funding comes from sponsorship and membership money.

He also feels that the wide range of networking options will be attracted to the cost-conscious company.

He said: “Our slogan is that this is an organisation where people don’t just network, they get work.

“We want people to collaborate rather than network. Collaboration takes bravery, commitment and team spirit, whereas with networking you can just drift in and out.”

Ipn now has 200 members, who include Sunderland Football Club, Lloyds TSB and IMPACT Plus, and places for exhibitors at its Meet the Professionals event in Middlesbrough in mid-September sold out six weeks in advance.

Lawton is restricting the initial number of spaces to 250.

The numbers will then be rolled out to 750 North East members in two further batches of 250 as ipn’s system is perfected.

By the end of 2012, he hopes to have a UK membership of 27,000.

He is eventually aiming for 100,000 worldwide, and plans to visit firms in Australia later this year.

He said: “We’re happy to collaborate with other networking groups and actively beef up each other’s events.

“If our members stick together they’ve got a much better chance in the tough times, but I know I wouldn’t go to a networking event and pay a fee just to swap business cards. I want more.”

Simon Lane, 36, arrived in the North East in time for one of the course’s main race days of the year, the sell-out Ladies’ Day.

He had spent the previous week at Uttoxeter racecourse with the general manager there to get a feel for his new role.

Like his predecessor as general manager at Newcastle, Mark Spincer, Mr Lane does not come from a racing background but is well grounded in the leisure sector.

“I have worked in this industry for 18 years and 10 years as a general manager in health and fitness, hotels and golf,” he said.

“The opportunity here is really exciting and this is an exciting and vibrant place. I’ve not worked in racing before, but I am a fairly regular racegoer.

“I have a background in running events and brought the PGA tour events to the St Mellion course in Cornwall. This was a fantastic opportunity for me to continue to do that.”

Mr Lane was the general manager at the St Mellion international golf resort, which is a venue on the European PGA Tour, and oversaw its £20m refurbishment.

Prior to that, he was the general manager of the Esporta Health owned Riverside Health & Racquets Club in Northwood.

Mr Lane admitted that the presence of a golf course at High Gosforth Park was part of the new post’s attraction.

But he said: “Obviously, golf has been my background for five years and the fact there is a golf course here is an added bonus, but the racing is the main business at the park.”

Racing in the core business at Newcastle – around 65%-70% of the centre’s turnover comes from racing and 30%- 35% is generated from non-race day activities, such as conferences, golf, the Border Minstrel pub and restaurant. Mr Lane is bringing his own new ideas to Newcastle, although he was unable to go into details about his plans at this stage.

“I’ve got some initial thoughts – I have been talking to my boss about a five-year plan for the site,” he said.

“I want to develop the site, the racing and potentially bring in some other facilities.

“I’ve got nothing concrete to announce yet but I have big plans for improvements to the golf and for other facilities.”

Newcastle Racecourse is the biggest and most northerly course in the Northern Racing group’s 10-strong portfolio.

Previous general manager Mark Spincer left on Plate Day, which was the conclusion of the three-day annual Plate Festival in June, to take the top job at Doncaster racecourse.

The Oyster Festival is being held on Friday 10th September at Hardwick Hall.

Click here for all information and booking options.

or contact Kelly, Lauren or Rebecca on 01740 620253

Just 50 days after it was born, ipnconnect has held a members event to celebrate reaching 200 members.
And in a mixed economy, when the business world is reeling from an election, a hung parliament and a radical new budget, all on the back of the recession, ipnconnect seems to be answering the needs of many of the business people in the region.
Attended by over 100 of the region’s prominent business people including Bill Midgley, OBE, who is working closely in support of ipnconnect, the drinks evening at ‘As You Like It’ in Jesmond, was sponsored by some of the youngest members including dovcor, stereografix and sms events.
With 250 initial memberships, only a fifth of the places are left, at which point founder Paul Lawton will be closing membership until he is confident that the collaborative platform is working efficiently for its initial members.
Unlike the more traditional networking organisation, ipnconnect is keen to work with affiliate membership bodies, even naming a few of them amongst its membership. With ipnconnect’s offering being so different, Paul says it makes sense to work together, rather than against each other.
ipnconnect offers a variety of different ways for its closely vetted members to connect, including bi-monthly exhibitions, monthly dinners and regular interactive gatherings, as well as offering a members only online website with a protected procurement platform inside.
Paul predicts that by the end of 2012, more than 27,000 businesses will be members of ipnconnect across the UK and is aiming for more than 100,000 businesses worldwide.
He said: “It’s been a rollercoaster ride launching ipnconnect and it’s very gratifying to see the response we have got.  So much so, that we are very close to the initial intake of 250 members until the membership is satisfied with this unique model and so are we. The numbers need to be kept manageable in order for ipnconnect to make business happen for our members, so we are monitoring the number of spaces for memberships in growth stages.”
Chris Jones, of IMPACT Plus (Goal Set), one of the newest members, said:
“I just want to say what a great event the ipnconnect one was. I’ve not been a great fan of networking in the past – in fact I’d come to dislike it intensely – but the ipnconnect approach does work, and it fits in nicely with my beliefs about working together to tap the abundant opportunities out there.  We got some excellent leads from our first event, which we’ll be following up quickly with further discussions.”
Claire Walton, Strategic Change Solutions, is a new member too and is quickly becoming a fan:
“There are many networking organisations you can choose to join for lots of different reasons. I have joined ipnconnect because there is so much choice for how and when I can meet up with likeminded people who genuinely want to help each other.  I have 3 clients through ipnconnect already!”
More information is available by visiting www.ipnconnect.com / 0191 2566235.  PR queries to Antonia@quay2Media.com

Raid your attic and garages for vintange technology to be displayed at our Summer BBQ and Technology Exhibition. If you don’t have any retro tech, we’d still love you to come along for free food, drink and Megadrive games.

Lisa Smith, manager at Big Ideas, said “We have been amazed by the response, it would seem that almost everyone has an old Gameboy, a Spectrum 48K or a Megadrive lurking somewhere in their house. We even had some 60’s and 70’s kitchen equipment donated, but we know there is so much more out there and would urge people to come forward and contact us about putting their own technology items on show.”

To register or for more information contact marketing@ne-bic.co.uk or visit www.ne-bic.co.uk

NORTH East law firm Gordon Brown Associates has helped a builder and his partner to build a new venture.

Bill Turner and Amanda Matthews have bought Cards & Co, in Low Fell, with the help of lawyer Martin Donnelly, who is based at the firm’s Newcastle office in Hadrian House.

As well as helping Bill and Amanda to buy the business, Martin worked on their behalf to negotiate the lease agreement with the landlords of the Durham Road property.

Mr Turner said: “I looked at property, but the market was uncertain, so with low interest rates I decided to find an existing business to buy that would provide a good return on the inheritance.

“Christie & Co, the selling agents of the property, recommended Gordon Brown Associates and Martin has helped the deal to go through very smoothly.”

Ms Matthews has taken over the running of the business, while her partner continues in his job as a civil engineering supervisor.

Mr Donnelly said: “Cards & Co is a thriving business and while it is a change in direction for both Bill and Amanda, they have really grasped the reins and made a good start to life as business owners. We wish them well for the future.”

Last chance for business collaboration before summer break .

A successful independent collaboration organisation is holding the last of its networking events before the summer, and is offering the chance for business individuals and organisations a free chance to ‘meet the professionals’.
Ipnconnect, which relaunched under its new identity earlier this month, holds its last Meet The Professionals  networking event before the summer holidays and ipnconnect owner, Paul Lawton says the event, on Wednesday July 7th at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, gives people a great chance to make some quality connections.
Ipnconnect, which has members including Lloyds TSB, Ward Hadaway and ROK, offers a variety of different ways for its closely vetted private, public and third-sector members to connect. It includes bi-monthly exhibitions, monthly dinners and weekly gatherings, as well as a protected and secure online members’ discussion and online procurement forums.

The Meet The Professionals event, which starts at 12noon, offers non-members a free chance to meet some of ipnconnect’s members.  Already confirmed to be exhibiting at the event, sponsored by Diamond are Gordon Brown Associates, Young Enterprise and the North East Property Forum.

ipnconnect managing director, Paul Lawton, says: “This event offers the perfect insight into what we are trying to achieve with this organisation. We have no public funding and we are doing this purely for the benefit of the North East business community. This is becoming the most dynamic networking platform the region has ever seen’.
“The plan is to cap membership at 250 so all members get a fantastic chance to work closely with one another. We are very close to that cap now, so there are just a few places left for business organisations or individuals to apply.”
Amy Whyte, business development manager of Gordon Brown Associates said: “An organisation like this, which wants to see business connect with others in innovative, resourceful and successful ways is long overdue in the region. We have done some fantastic business through relationships we simply would not have developed without being members.”

Paul Lawton, who has ambitious plans to spread the concept he has created in the North East, predicts that by the end of 2012, more than 27,000 businesses will be members of ipnconnect across the UK and is aiming for more than 100,000 businesses worldwide. He has already been invited to discuss his concept with businesses and business organisations in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia.

To register for attendance on July 7th, contact ipnconnect on 0191 256 6253.
Ends
Media information: Christian or Antonia at Quay2 Media on 0191 296 6800

The group from the girls school was crowned Company of the Year after creating, marketing and selling Brightlife Books for the Young Enterprise North East competition.

The books – Ronny the Runnerbean and Sunny the Sunflower – both have an environmental and healthy eating message and were written, illustrated and produced by the year 12 students.

The group, which has the motto “Live the Rightlife, live the Brightlife”, has linked up with children’s book centre Seven Stories and has developed workshops with local schools.

Brightlife Books’ joint managing director Francesca Thornton said: “Undergoing the Young Enterprise North East programme has been the most rewarding thing we’ve ever done.

“We have all learnt valuable enterprise lessons and knowing that we have produced something that other people find to be a good product is fantastic.

“We are unbelievably excited to have won the top award at the regional final and cannot wait to represent the region at the grand final in London.

“All the hard work has paid off.”

Runner up was Cookii Doh – a group of Year 10 students from John Spence Community High School in North Shields – which produces t-shirts and hoodies with unique designs for the teenage market.

The enterprise has already attracted interest from men’s clothing company The Officers Club, Next and play.com.