Partner Article

Durham businesses urged to prepare for the upturn

Businesses in Durham have been urged by senior business figures to focus on the end of the recession, rather than wallowing in the negative aspects.

John Mowbray, chairman of the North East Chamber of Commerce Durham committee, told more than 50 attendees at NECC’s Durham annual meeting that those businesses which invest in people and processes during this period will come out stronger in the end.

The corporate affairs director at Northumbrian Water also added that the new council structure which comes into place this week is an opportunity for change and that business in the county should support the new structure.

Mr Mowbray said: “The climate at the moment is unprecedented and it is important and that businesses invest in the right areas of their operations ready for when times improve. There is a great deal happening in Durham and I would urge companies in the area to get involved and influence the way the area is moving forward.”

The sentiment was echoed by speaker Hossain Rezaei, the North East entrepreneur who sold specialist bread manufacturer Pride Valley Foods two years ago, and started up the Flatbread Café restaurants. He said: “This is a time when the strong will survive, but if you can survive this you will come out better than before.

“Company owners and directors need to know where the weaknesses are in their business, consolidate and prepare for when we reach the upturn. By doing this they will be in a stronger position to grow their business in times to come.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .