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Chemist cooking up new career – as a pie-maker

A PHARMACEUTICALS expert has swapped the lab for the chemistry of cooking in his bid to create the perfect pie. Read

Why SIPPs remain an attraction

DESPITE jangling nerves in the property world, not all sectors are experiencing difficult times. Read

Man with a van also has a good business plan

AN ENTERPRISING graduate has started his own business to fill a niche that he noticed while working in his first job. Read

Free trial gives opportunity to small firms

THE region’s small firms are being encouraged to consider bidding for lower value public sector contracts via a free trial of the Government’s procurement website. Read

Choose the right pension for your staff

BUSINESS owners face many important financial decisions, one of which is choosing the right pension scheme for their company’s needs. Read

No paws in demand for petwear

A DOG-mad couple hope to hit a £1m turnover with their petwear business after securing a lucrative distribution deal and moving into their first shop premises. Read

Emissions from buildings must be cut

GOVERNMENT statistics show that nearly 50% of the UK’s energy consumption is from buildings. Read

Nichola’s service will have dog tails wagging

A DOG lover is turning her back on a career in hairdressing to follow her heart and set up a dog walking and sitting service. Read

Cathy brings a taste of Scotland to North

A NEW business is bringing a taste of Scotland to Northumberland via a Danish-owned supermarket. Read

There’s a big world out there

E-COMMERCE now plays an important role in the way in which we buy our products and services. The amount of trade conducted electronically has grown massively since the spread of the internet. Read

Michael finds kitchen business a perfect fit

A YOUNG furniture fitter may have worked for the Saudi Arabian royal family and on TV dramas including Wire in the Blood, but he was not satisfied until he set up his own business. Read

Swallow your nerves to get the taste of success

A CAFE owner has urged other people to swallow their nerves and follow their dream of starting their own business. Read

Estate agent’s satisfied customers

AN estate agent has won a top prize because he has so many happy customers. Michael Hodgson, who runs his estate agency of the same name in Sunderland, was named the North East gold award winner at the annual Estate Agent & Letting Agent Awards. Read

Scope for growth with organic vegetable boxes

A COUPLE made redundant when the electronics factory where they worked was closed are now growing their own business delivering organic vegetable boxes. Read

Event gives small firms advice on IT security

SMALL businesses are being invited to a free event tomorrow to teach them about protecting the information they store on computer. Read

There are still sources of funding

WILL the credit crunch have an effect on whether businesses are willing to approach their bank to raise finance? Read

FSB conference shows SMEs the way to growth

MORE than 350 people and 65 exhibitors attended a major North East conference designed to help small firms to grow their businesses. Read

Afghan trip a real ‘eye-opener’

THE FSB’s John Wright attended the conference days after returning from a fact-finding trip to Afghanistan, an experience which was tinged with tragedy as two of the reservist soldiers he met have since been killed. Read

Good Advice - It pays to do your research

WE often hear business experts discussing the importance of market research but how do you go about gathering information and what information should you gather? Read

Inn back in the family – with top quality award

THE efforts of a couple who returned to the North East to bring a run-down inn back into the family have been recognised with a prestigious tourism quality award. Read