Darlington thread

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Making a difference with dynamic ways of working »

Thanks to our creative office space in Darlington, our business community often feel inspired to find more dynamic ways of working. Only a few days ago, we held a great neighbourhood catch up with colleagues where ideas simply buzzed around!

Spring is making its presence felt at Lingfield

It’s not only our unique office space that can provide inspiration, we’re based within 107-acres of land brimming with art and  leisure. Mature gardens exist with picnic areas allowing our 2000+ employees  to feel closer to nature.

Always looking for how we can improve our customer experience, we joined forces with Integritas Landscapes last year.  Celebrating our first year anniversary of this unique partnership, we can honestly say this union has provided us with bucket loads of ideas helping creating our sustainable landscape of the future.

Outsourcing support of this nature is always a dilemma but we’ve been able to integrate new ideas with the knowledge of our existing team; introduce new techniques which build on our specialist knowledge of the unique gardens and land around the business park.

We see all our relationships as partnerships.  In this instance, the value Integritas has provided from ideas – bolting onto existing knowledge – has been great fun and we know that our customers will certainly be benefiting from the excitement created here.

Congratulations Colin!

With ideas come excitement and motivation and none more so than at Lingfield Point.  Colin Hinde,  our grounds maintenance professional has achieved his NVQ level 2 in horticulture through our partnership.  As part of the NVQ course Colin also undertook a first aid course and his Pa1 and Pa6 for pesticide handling and application.   We’re really proud of both our relationship with Integritas and Colin’s achievements – something we could never have delivered without Integritas Landscapes.

The maintenance and landscaping of our 107-acre neighbourhood is in safe hands which has allowed us time to think more creatively about our customer needs.

We love creating an atmosphere where our customers can relax; work and play.  This Summer, we’ll be introducing a wide range of trails around the park; masterclasses based around horticulture and even lawn games – thanks to the blossoming unique partnership between Integritas Landscapes and Lingfield Point.

 

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Meeting your neighbours around Lingfield Point, @ YARN on 14 March »

You might have noticed that we love a good old shindig here at Lingfield Point.  We represent a significant amount of office space in Darlington – we also represent over 50 businesses that translate to over 2000 local people. 

This all adds up to one of the most productive, yet personal places to work in the North East of England.

We think we know what’s really important – people & productivity.  Add a good old giggle into the mix and you’ve a very buoyant workplace.

Over 50 companies now operate their business from Lingfield Point and we love organising events that help our customers get to know each other and often throw in a giggle or two.  We’ve just held a great regional event in conjunction with the NECC where our businesses could network with companies outside of the area – but its now time for a wee bit of neighbourhood spirit – and a wee bit of wine sipping too!

We love our neighbourhood

Mintronics – one of YARN’s latest customers have now set up a free networking event here at Lingfield Point on 14 March from 3.45pm. This free networking event provides a great way of getting to know your neighbour and looking at ways we can all work together. Tailored exclusively to our customers, each company will be given the opportunity to present their products and services to the gathered audience in the form of a 5 minute informal pitch.

We’ve not created ‘selling’ pitches – it’s a relaxed, social discussion on how you work and what you do….. Whether it’s an opportunity to share ideas; experiences or even present a summary of your most successful product or team to date.

The team from Mintronics will kick-start the presentations with their own 5-minute round-up of their growing business. The software reseller is a classic story of a recessionary start-up with the skill and determination to battle and win-through even the most challenging of economic climates. Mintronics are a partner and authorized reseller for several leading developers of business critical software.

The event will take place next Thursday in YARN Break Out Space (click here to see some amazing shots of our space!) – free of charge and includes complimentary refreshments and a few tasty titbits from canteen by alexander macmurray.

The only thing we ask is if your a customer or even a friend – register in advance to allow for programming of discussions at business@mintronics.co.uk.

You can also register your attendance at http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/2946492037

Looking forward to seeing you all at one of our first social events of Spring!

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Lingfield Point’s getting ready for Spring – offices, offers, events and so much more »

Here at Lingfield Point, we’re known for our exceptional office space but also our quality of life and feel good factor.

Working together is important

Its no secret that we’re the first place companies visit if they want office space in Darlington but its also great to know that we’re the first place people come for events, seminars, and a good old knees up!

As Darlington’s largest business community, it was great to see the recent NECC ‘let’s talk’ networking event hailed a success for local businesses and we’re now looking forward to helping host some cracking events during March including:

8th March.  Darlington – Develop together in conjunction with Darlington Partnership.  Consultation over the development of Darlington. Let your voice be heard.  Meadow, Lingfield Point.  Register by email at Darlington@tbr.co.uk

14 March.  Get to know your Neighbour @ YARN.  Mintronics – one of YARN’s latest customers are keen to set up a free networking event giving companies 5 mins to present to our community in the form of a 5 min pitch.  A great way of getting to know your neighbour and looking at ways we can all work together.   Plenty of opportunity with much wine-sipping too!  Register your interest at business@mintronics.co.uk

21 March.  Budget Live!  Organised by Tees Valley Unlimited & Recognition. Tees Valley Unlimited invites you to Budget Live! -  a fully interactive event with keynote speaker David Smith – Economics Editor at the Sunday Times.  Hear TVU’s ambitions for the local economy and Mr Smith’s expert views on UK plc’s performance followed by a live broadcast of George Osborne’s 2012 Budget.  Don’t miss your opportunity to network with peers as the Tees Valley business community responds to the Chancellor’s speech and relays its thoughts on the North East economy to a national economics commentator. To register your interest, http://www.amiando.com/budget-live.html

As one of the largest business communities in Darlington, we’re keen to ensure our businesses work together on a local level – whether its having a say in the development of Darlington’s economy through to wine-sipping or enjoying one of our free bikes to help you put a spring in your step – even if you’re not based here at Lingfield Point – come and say hello – visitors are always welcome.

We’re bursting with energy and putting final touches to our Summer events programme – and with over 2000 people now based at Lingfield Point – we know we won’t be the only ones ready for Spring and glorious Summer celebrations!

Watch this space and keep in touch – we’d be delighted to send you our Summer programme.

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Lingfield Point supports ‘BUY LOCAL’ »

Lingfield Point provides office space in Darlington to over 50 businesses employing over 1800 employees from around the area and is actively encouraging businesses to back the town-wide ‘BUY LOCAL’ Scheme when it launches on Wednesday at its first EXPO exhibition. 

Lingfield Point also practices what it preaches…. its main suppliers and partners come from around Darlington confirming we ‘BUY LOCAL’ where we can.

With its award-winning office space home to some of the most significant businesses in the North East including Student Loans Company, Capita, FaulknerBrowns, Four Seasons Health Care, NFU Mutual, NAAFI and Recognition PR – this rallying call across the business park will certainly encourage support.

Now, thanks to the recently launched, unique space, YARN, Lingfield Point is now also home to an ever-increasing entrepreneurial group of companies that thrive in the innovative support network available in Darlington.  ‘BUY LOCAL’ could really help these new neighbours become established in the local economy

John Orchard, director of owning company, Marchday group plc, says  “Darlington’s business environment is not just a collection of companies in the same location; it’s a dynamic community working to support each other -  nurturing our entrepreneurial spirit and protecting the vitality of the local economy.

Buy local sums up the difference that Darlington can offer business. A great local network of like-minded professionals willing to help you sustain your business and your employees.”  

From small incubator units in Lingfield House to the unique, creative space of YARN with space ranging from 260sqft to single 100,000 sqft floor plates, Lingfield Point can offer you inspirational business space to suit your needs.

Great location, easy access with plenty of car parking and a new on site bus service that can take you straight into Darlington town centre in less than 10 minutes is now a great ‘BUY LOCAL’ bonus.

Visitors feel the place has a real soul due to reusing dramatic buildings with an obvious former life.  This ‘soul’ and unsurpassed customer service combine to foster a real community spirit and culture.   The result is lingfield life -  a friendly neighbourhood with personality, social heart, flexible business facilities and a customer focused approach, designed to help your business thrive.

Lingfield Point is delighted  is delighted to support this innovative way of getting to know your neighbour in Darlington – it echos our own sentiments.

But don’t just take our word for it – pick up the phone on 01325 486486 or come and visit and don’t forget -  buy local.

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Foundation for Jobs gains momentum and national support »

Following the successful launch at Lingfield Point; Darlington’s Foundation for Jobs is gaining momentum.

Lingfield Point is home to some of the largest businesses in the region and  is usually the first – and only – stop for office space in Darlington. The business park continues to support this rallying call to train and develop the next generation of people to work in business.

The Prime Minister and David Miliband have both thrown their support behind this ambitious scheme. The scheme which was launched by the Bishop of Durham is focussed on placing at least 100 apprentices with companies in the borough as well exposing hundreds more to the real life workplace.

David Cameron described the campaign as a ‘brilliant initiative’;

I welcome this brilliant intiative from the Northern echo; it is just the kind of thing we need to give young people the skills, training and opportunies to succeed.

Labour’s ex leader David Miliband added;

The Foundation for Jobs is just the kind of initiative that can break through the bureaucracy and develop new ideas that give access to young people to the jobs of the future.

Lingfield Point’s owners, Marchday, was one of the first to sign the charter underlining the commitment to create apprentice places.  John Orchard said of our experience:

At Lingfield Point we have already taken on apprentices and have gained greatly from the experience. I know that some of our customers have done the same. There’s no doubt that this scheme will raise the profile of apprenticeships and open people’s eyes to the advantages to their business.

With over 50 companies and 2000 people working at Lingfield Point we hope the initiative will make Darlington an even better place to do business.

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Lingfield Point supports Darlington’s Foundation for Jobs »

We were delighted to host the launch of Darlington’s Foundation for Jobs at Meadow at Lingfield Point and fully support the Bishop of Durham’s rallying call for North East businesses to help create a future for young people.

A great Darlington initiative

The Right Reverend Justin Welby has become patron of this initiative and has taking the opportunity to call for business leaders, educationalists and attendees to boost the job prospects of the under 25s.

John Orchard, director of Lingfield Point, said, “This is a fantastic initiative and one of the things we have found by teaming up with Darlington College – which runs an apprenticeship scheme – is that some of our companies have a need for more new entrants.  Some companies have had a problem recruiting people that were business ready so we set up a partnership with the college to ensure our companies could get business-ready candidates”.

Darlington Foundation for Jobs will establish formal links between schools and employers; provide internships; increase the number of apprentices and encourage young entrepreneurs whilst showcasing young job-seekers and Lingfield Point has pledged its moral support to this town-wide initiative.

So how can you help….?  Want to pledge support; create school links, internships or even apprenticeships or become involved in the Darlington Foundation for Jobs? Contact Seth.pearson@darlington.gov.uk to pledge your support. 

Let’s give our young people the opportunity of a future.

 

 

 

 

 

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Hop on to our new bus service – Lingfield Point to Darlington town centre and beyond »

We’re over the moon to welcome the bus 1/1b to Lingfield Point.  Starting on 3 January, this regular half hour service will call at three stops around our 107 acre business park and will be able to serve our 1800 customers working here.

Our new bus service - 1/1b

Part funded by Department of Transport, this joint initiative between Darlington Borough Council and Arriva means Lingfield Point is one of the most accessible business parks in the North East thanks to the additional buses that also pass the main entrance to our park.  We’re proud of the fact that this now gives us an unrivalled service every 10 MINUTES into Darlington.

The service also offers great value to customers living on the outskirts of Darlington as the extended bus service calls at Cockerton, Heighington, Bishop Auckland, Crook and Tow Law.

You’ll be able to find more information on this fantastic new service by clicking on the about section within this website and then clicking on public transport where downloads of background information and even a timetable is available for download.

When we hear that a weekly out of town ticket costs only £25.50 and that if we all switched to just one journey in 25 from car to bus, there would be one billion fewer car journeys made on our roads!

So what are you waiting for … Hop on a bus!

 

 

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A great plug for our new bus service »

Arriva bus drivers and employees from Student Finance England and NAAFI at Lingfield Point helped launch the new bus link, service 1/1b by introducing a new hybrid vehicle to a 3ft wide electrical plug.

Welcoming our new bus service to Lingfield Point

We’re over the moon to welcome the new hybrid buses soon to be trialled on the extended bus service 1/1b with its new terminus of Lingfield Point. Stopping at three locations around Lingfield Point, this new service will take you into town every 30 minutes.  This, in addition to the regular service running past Lingfield Point, means our neighbourhood is one of the best served, most accessible business parks in the region.

Local bus company Arriva North East will be trialling a new hybrid vehicle on the newly extended 1,1b service from this January.  The current route runs from Tow Law, Crook and Bishop Auckland to Darlington Town Centre and  from 2 January will be extended to Lingfield Point via Darlington College/University, funded by the Department for Transport through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.

The bus being trialled on the route is a state-of-the-art vehicle which is powered using an electric engine. If the trial proves a success the company will take delivery of 7 new hybrid vehicles in the summer of 2012.

The investment comes following a partnership between Arriva North East and ourselves working with Team Local Motion to champion even more environmentally-friendly means of transport being available to the people of Darlington.

Nigel Featham, Managing Director for Arriva North East, said: “The extension of the service will ensure that we continue to improve our customers’ journey experience, and the testing of the hybrid vehicle is another real benefit for the area. We know that value for money and reliability are very important to our customers, however more and more we are hearing that the environment is another key consideration.”

Councillor David Lyonette, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport said ” The Department of Transport funding will benefit people locally and regionally by providing improved access to education as the route now extends past Darlington College and the University, and to jobs at Lingfield Point too, which will assist future economic development. I’m delighted Team Local Motion has been able to secure this development.”

We think it’s great news that this service is being extended to include our community. It is important that our site is well-served by buses, with over 1,800 staff based at Lingfield Point, and a great deal of them living in and around Darlington,  it will certainly make the choice to travel to work by bus far easier.

For Lingfield Point to be served by hybrid buses is very appropriate as it fits perfectly with our ethos of sustainability – and the vision of our masterplan – setting out to make Lingfield Point one of the most environmentally-friendly developments in the UK .

So don’t forget your new year’s resolution … hop on our new bus service …. you’d be surprised how easy it really is!

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Looking forward to a cracker of a night »

One of the region’s favourite annual Christmas events returns again this year. The St Teresa’s Christmas Cracker Concert will be held on Saturday 17th December at Meadow, Lingfield Point, and is set to go off with a bang!

Looking forward to the contents of 2011 Christmas Cracker

Principally sponsored by Darlington Operatic Society, and helmed by acclaimed musical director John Forsyth with the ‘St Teresa’ Sinfonia Choir & Orchestra, the Christmas Cracker will feature musical ensembles, schools, choral and operatic groups from across the region.

Among the acts gearing up to ‘sleigh’ audiences are the Darlington Choral Society, the Cleveland Philharmonic Choir Tees Valley Voices, the Tees Valley Youth Choir, the Locomotion and the Cockerton Ladies Choir. With so many talented performers, the concert is shaping up to be anything but a silent night!

Tickets cost £8.50 for adults and £6.00 for children,

and are available from St Teresa’s Hospice and its Darlington retail shops,

or by calling Supporter Services on 01325 254321.

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Our world in winter – Life at Lingfield »

We’re always conscious of ever-changing weather conditions and the past two years have certainly tested the British spirit.

This year, Lingfield Point’s preparations have been in hand for some time with an established local contractor now responsible for the gritting and snow clearance of roads, car parking and approaches to warehousing and main pavements.

We’ve also invested in additional grit bins, shovels and telescopic snow shovels to help keep our roads and pavements safe with our concierge keeping their eyes peeled for those shady areas that the sunshine never reaches.   Feel free to use any of our grit bins and shovels if you notice slippery areas around our business park – you’ll certainly be playing your part in keeping our community safe.

We’re fully supportive of the Highway Agency’s winter campaign – make time for winter http://www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/333.aspx

We think 20 is plenty when driving around Lingfield Point in the Summer so please, please slow down and make time when driving in difficult conditions. 

Although we will take every step to keep you safe – from a health and safety perspective– you also have a personal responsibility to keep yourself safe.  We advise you keep a watchful eye on how you travel – whether that’s walking; cycling or driving.  Don’t forget about appropriate footwear too – good grip make a real difference at times like this!

The AA have also produced a handy little guide to keeping you safe whilst travelling this winter and can be found at http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/seasonal/winter-checklist.html

 

A winter emergency kit for the car is essential during our this season and could include :

  • Blanket, warm winter coat/reflective jacket, scarf, hat and gloves with sturdy boots
  • Shovel & bits of carpet/think cardboard to place under driven wheels to help regain traction
  • Salt, sand, or even cat litter (!)– to help clear snow and ice
  • Ice scraper and de-icer
  • Torch and batteries
  • Snow chains (if you live in a remote or rural area)
  • Battery jump leads & tow rope
  • Bottled water & extra screen wash
  • Snacks – chocolate always saves the day in my car!

Don’t forget that we’ve also got a fantastic public transport network in and around Darlington – so if the car is not doing as it’s told this winter, why not look at other ways of travelling here …. It’s easier than you think! Log on to www.dothelocalmotion.co.uk for your own personalised travel plan!

Most importantly, remember, 20 is plenty and take your time this winter!

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