A CENTRE created to act as a catalyst for enterprise in Teesdale celebrated its 25th anniversary last month with a party to mark the occasion.
Enterprise House, on Harmire Industrial Park, in Barnard Castle, was officially opened in 1998 by Derek Foster MP after Teesdale District Council successfully bid for finance from the European Regional Development Fund.
With support from the Rural Development Commission, a non-profit company, known as Teesdale Development Company, was established to manage the centre.
To mark the milestone staff and directors invited tenants, past and present, to celebrate the centre’s ongoing success.
Teesdale Development Company chairman Alastair Dinwiddie said: “It is no coincidence that Enterprise House gained its name 25 years ago.
“The aim was to create a centre for ‘catalysing enterprise’ in Teesdale.”
He added: “It is an aim we still adhere to today, though it is increasingly challenging.
“Over the years we have been home to the Enterprise Agency, Bishop Auckland Training College, the Job Centre, Radio Teesdale and even the Teesdale Mercury, together with numerous smaller businesses providing everything from accounting, marketing, AI and IT services to physio and acupuncture.”
During the event Enterprise House’s customer service manager, Lynn Todhunter, who has been in the role 25 years, was presented with a bouquet of flowers.
Mr Dinwiddie added: “The world of public sector funded projects has changed dramatically and this has required considerable creativity on our part to survive, let alone remain an Enterprise hub.
“Nevertheless, we still endeavour to be the first port of call to aspiring businesses, providing appropriate accommodation, access to Business Durham and funding initiatives as and when they exist.
“We run the monthly business networking meetings and, of course, we host the Teesdale Business Awards,” he added.
“In these challenging times Enterprise House thrives, continuing to ‘catalyse enterprise in Teesdale’ and in itself represents a unique example of a successful public sector investment where so many have failed.”
