HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) marks its 20th anniversary on Friday 18 April 2025. The department was established in April 2005 through the merger of the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise, combining tax administrations to reduce overlap and enhance service delivery. The creation of HMRC by the thenContinue Reading
The popular TikTok duo known as Spud Bros appear to have confirmed plans to open a new store in Manchester, following a wave of speculation from their fans. Brothers Harley and Jacob Nelson, who rose to social media fame through their jacket potato business, initially launched their venture from aContinue Reading
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has today (16/04/2025) accepted the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA)’s recommendation to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of engine oils and hydraulic fluids from Lithuania and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following evidence of dumping that has caused injury to UK industry. These measuresContinue Reading
A brand-new launch pad membership designed to support early-stage businesses has been created by the North East Chamber of Commerce. Start Up and Grow is the latest addition to the Chamber’s enhanced membership offer, providing the tools, support and connections for incorporated start-ups in their first two years of business.Continue Reading
Over 100 women from across the North East’s business community gathered to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) at the North East Chamber of Commerce’s Inspiring Women in Business event, highlighting the achievements of women and the steps needed to drive gender equality forward. The event featured inspiring talks from leadingContinue Reading
MIDDLESBROUGH – A brand-new destination for high-quality nail services has arrived at The Parkway Centre, promising excellence in customer care and artistry. Newham Nail Bar, which officially opened its doors on July 22, 2024, has quickly made an impression with its commitment to premium service and skilled craftsmanship. At theContinue Reading
Businesses have been warned they face tough action after a string of Middlesbrough stores illegally sold corrosive substances to a teenager. Retailers are being told to clean up their act after all those visited during a Trading Standards operation failed to carry out the required checks. One premises even askedContinue Reading
A North East council has selected nationwide placemaker, Muse, as its joint venture partner to deliver the first phase of a new innovation district. The first phase comprises the Durham County Council-owned Aykley Heads site, which is currently home to the authority’s County Hall headquarters. The 15-hectare site already hasContinue Reading
The owner of a Chinese takeaway has been ordered to pay out more than £4,000 following the discovery of a fly-infestation and unhygienic conditions on the business premises. Environmental health officers from Durham County Council carried out an unannounced inspection at Hello 7 in Framwellgate Moor, near Durham City, afterContinue Reading
A company which claimed to sell adult films has been shut down following concerns it was being used as a direct debit scam. Drawntear Limited was wound-up at a hearing of the High Court in Manchester on Wednesday 12 February. The company, which said it was based in Hull beforeContinue Reading
From tomorrow (17 February), Local Authorities can begin rolling out local schemes for tax relief to help filmmakers produce the country’s next box office hits, rom-coms and cult classics. Film studios are to receive business rates relief over the next nine years as the government rolls out a 40% reductionContinue Reading
· HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) ‘Help for Hustles’ campaign launched to support people earning extra income to understand any tax obligations As Valentine’s Day approaches, anyone who has turned the love for their hobby into a side hustle is being encouraged to put a ring on it and makeContinue Reading
Senior business leaders from across the region gathered at the latest North East Chamber of Commerce 1815 Lunch to hear from guest speaker Sinead Rocks, managing director of nations and regions at Channel 4. The event focused on the importance of decentralising broadcasting, investing in regional creative industries andContinue Reading
The North East Chamber of Commerce has submitted its response to the government’s comprehensive spending review consultation, calling for targeted investment and policy changes to unlock economic growth across the region. The Chamber, which represents 2,000 businesses, employing 40% of the North East’s workforce, is urging the government to useContinue Reading
UK businesses are, for the first time, being invited to have their say on the government’s electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) proposals. E-invoicing is the digital exchange of invoice information directly between buyers and suppliers. It could help businesses get their tax right first time, reduce invoicing and data errors, improve theContinue Reading
Eagle-eyed police have uncovered illegal vapes and tobacco products worth in the region of £20,000 from a Newcastle shop. Officers from Byker Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) visited the premises on Shields Road on an unrelated matter on Wednesday afternoon. While inside, they spotted illicit cigarettes, tobacco and vapes which haveContinue Reading
Food redistribution charities can now submit applications for a new £15 million Government scheme, which is helping to ensure surplus food is delivered to those who need it. Every year, an estimated 330,000 tonnes of edible food is either wasted or repurposed as animal feed before leaving farm gates. ThisContinue Reading
A warrant has been executed at a pub in Darlington to disrupt suspected drug supply and disorder. Under Operation Arizona, Darlington neighbourhood team and licensing officers along with support from the dog unit and colleagues from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service swooped in on The Old DunContinue Reading
More than 11.5 million taxpayers successfully filed their Self Assessment tax returns for the 2023–2024 tax year by the 31 January deadline, avoiding a £100 late filing penalty, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed. A total of 732,498 people submitted their returns on deadline day, with the busiest hourContinue Reading
A Durham City shop that sold vapes to children on multiple occasions, including a 15-year-old, has been ordered to close for three months. Phone Gadget, on Silver Street, has been told by a court to close its doors following a successful application by Durham County Council, which was acting inContinue Reading
The North East Chamber of Commerce held an event which explored lessons from the worlds of professional sport and business to create high-performance workplaces. The Sport and Business – Enabling High Performance Workplaces event looked at strategies for building stronger, more collaborative teams and the importance of adopting a holistic,Continue Reading
Oliver Henry Alexander King, 52, of Bedale, North Yorkshire, appeared at York Magistrates’ Court on Friday 24 January 2025, where he pleaded guilty to one charge of operating a waste site without an environmental permit, and one charge of failing to comply with a notice to clear waste from theContinue Reading
The UK government has announced a raft of plans to drive up participation in Horizon Europe by researchers, innovators and businesses from across the country – as tomorrow (Wednesday 1 January) marks the one-year anniversary of the UK’s association to the £80 billion programme that runs from 2021 to 2027.Continue Reading
Kearney FM is introducing a new monthly health-focused show, Health Talk Live, providing listeners the opportunity to discuss their health concerns directly with a registered medical professional. The program, which will air on the last Thursday of every month, premieres on Thursday, 30th January 2025. Each month, Health Talk LiveContinue Reading
Tesco stores across the UK are facing empty shelves as shoppers stockpile Guinness in preparation for New Year’s Eve celebrations, leading to widespread shortages of the popular stout. The rush for Guinness comes as revelers gear up to toast the new year, with many opting to celebrate at home orContinue Reading
Ford is at risk of incurring a £100 million fine as it struggles to meet its electric vehicle (EV) targets amid challenges transitioning from petrol and diesel models. The automotive giant faces mounting pressure to align with the UK government’s ambitious push for a greener future in line with itsContinue Reading
A man who stole a slushie machine, a Jägermeister dispenser, and a pizza oven from a Hartlepool bar has avoided immediate prison time. Samuel Musgrave, 49, dressed in a high-visibility vest, walked into the Out Out bar on Navigation Point on June 13 and made off with items valued atContinue Reading
A Stockton-on-Tees man has been handed a conditional discharge after admitting to stealing jars of mayonnaise and peanut butter from a local store. James Dobbing, 43, of Leybourne Terrace, appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on December 18, where he pleaded guilty to the theft and two counts of failing toContinue Reading
Julie Richardson, a bus driver for Go North East, is delighting passengers by dressing as a different festive character every day throughout December. Operating out of the Percy Main depot in North Shields, Julie has so far transformed into the Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, and a Christmas nutcracker, among others.Continue Reading
CCTV is to be installed at a row of shops after council wardens were “attacked by thugs wielding sticks”. The incident took place earlier in the year when staff visited Spencer Beck shops, off Allendale Road, in Ormesby near Middlesbrough. Conservative Curt Pugh, who sits on Redcar and Cleveland BoroughContinue Reading
Chocolate maker Cadbury has been dropped from the list of royal warrants for the first time in 170 years. The Birmingham-based chocolatier was awarded its first royal warrant as chocolate and cocoa manufacturers by Queen Victoria in 1854, but it has lost its royal endorsement under King Charles. Cadbury’s USContinue Reading
Officers have released images of a man they would like to identify after they received a report that counterfeit bank notes were used at a shop in Newcastle city centre. Police received a report that just after 2.30pm on Friday, November 22, a man entered CEX Entertainment on Northumberland Street.Continue Reading
Alasdair MacConachie OBE, a revered philanthropist, business leader, and dedicated community campaigner, passed away on Christmas Day at Darlington Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. He was 78. Mr. MacConachie’s impact on Darlington and beyond is immeasurable. As the driving force behind Sherwoods Motor Group, he built a thriving businessContinue Reading
A former professional footballer has been banned from being a company director for eight years. Kieron Minto-St.Aimie claimed a £25,000 Covid Bounce Back Loan for the St Aimie’s Sports Academy Community Interest Company in Brent, when it was entitled to much less. Elizabeth Pigney, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:Continue Reading
Workers at the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) office in Newcastle are set to commence an eight-week strike on Monday. The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) announced the strike to support three colleagues it claims were unfairly dismissed. A picket line is planned outside HMRC’s Benton Park offices, accordingContinue Reading
Kearney FM’s Managing Director, Aaron Kearney, is set to launch his brand-new podcast, The Daily Dose of Aaron, on 31st December 2024. The podcast promises to cover “everything and anything,” offering listeners engaging conversations, insightful stories, and plenty of surprises. New episodes will be released every Wednesday and Sunday atContinue Reading
Just days after the announced closure of Middlesbrough’s Cineworld, Odeon has confirmed plans to take over the venue. The cinema, located on Marton Road, is among several Cineworld sites impacted by a nationwide restructuring plan and is slated to close in January. Landlords Legal & General (L&G) announced that OdeonContinue Reading
Mr Hayhoe began his role on 3 December and will be in post for a fixed-term of one-year. Mr Hayhoe will work across government to draw on the expertise in the Public Sector Fraud Authority, Government Commercial Function, and Department of Health and Social Care to use every means possibleContinue Reading
Police have launched a dedicated Retail Crime Squad to tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour over the festive period in Gateshead. Started on Monday (December 16), it brings together officers from Northumbria Police’s response and neighbourhood policing teams to address key issues in the town centre and Team Valley. Led byContinue Reading
Hartlepool CID has charged a man in connection with a burglary at King Johns Tavern on South Road and a shop theft in Sainsburys on Murray Street. The shop theft was reported to have occurred on Sunday 15th December whilst the burglary reportedly happened on Tuesday 17th December. Officers charged the 36-year-oldContinue Reading
Officers were called to The Black Swan pub in Parkgate, Darlington, on Monday evening (December 16) after reports of a man being locked inside the venue. Upon arrival, police discovered that a window had been smashed using a bar stool, and the man who was reportedly trapped was no longerContinue Reading
As we step into the new year, Kearney FM is thrilled to announce a major shake-up to our show programming, introducing fresh content and exciting new shows for 2025. We are committed to keeping our listeners entertained, informed, and engaged with dynamic programming that reflects the heart of our community.Continue Reading
As we approach the end of 2024 and the festive season, we want to take a moment to thank each of you – security operatives, industry leaders, and membership associations – for your unwavering dedication to keeping people safe. This time of year is especially demanding for many of you,Continue Reading
If you’re looking for an exceptional dining experience in Cleveland, Jolsha Indian Restaurant in Marton should be at the top of your list. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with warmth and professionalism, setting the tone for a memorable evening. Our visit began with a warm welcome fromContinue Reading
Twenty handheld radios have been funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour on a local business park. The County Durham and Darlington PCC provided a grant worth just over £9k for the devices, which will help businesses on Aycliffe Business Park inContinue Reading
Stanley has recalled 2.6 million of its viral travel mugs because they pose a ‘burn hazard’. The recall involves the popular drink and food container brand’s Switchback and Trigger Action travel mugs. Stanley has received 91 complaints about the products worldwide, 16 of which camr from the US, with consumers stating that the recalledContinue Reading
A new online tool has been launched in partnership with Durham Constabulary, Livin and Durham County Council to help victims of anti-social behaviour in Aycliffe access support to resolve the issue. The web resource has been developed by Aycliffe IT firm Optimum Skills and provides everything residents and businesses inContinue Reading
A Company Director from Watford has been given a suspended prison sentence after claiming a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan and then dissolving her business. Irena Tokarczyk, 66, from Ashburnham Drive in Watford, was the sole director of Good Food Shops Ltd when she applied for a £50,000 Bounce Back LoanContinue Reading
