County Durham Businessman's Ambitious Plans for Industrial Unit
- gracebell7
- 40 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A County Durham businessman has announced ambitious plans to utilise an industrial unit which he has recently leased.
Robert Cairns has moved into a former tiling unit on the North West Industrial Estate in Peterlee.
The huge space is currently being renovated and Robert has spoken of his plans to use the space for both community, arts and crafts and business events, as well as the renovation of double-decker buses which will be used for a range of purposes – and reduce the amount of scrap going to landfill.
Robert said: “This unit has so much potential and I believe is the perfect space for me to grow my business".
“I want to use it for two main functions."
“The first is a hub for the community and local businesses. I want to bring local artists and painters here to use the space to get creative, somewhere they can realise their full potential in a space that is flexible to cater for their artistic needs. But equally the space could be hired out by local businesses who want to hold events, or use it for training and development."
“The second is for the renovation of double decker buses, which is something I stumbled into a few years ago."
“I held a community event which used a scrap bus as an entertainment space. It was so successful that I was asked to do it again in another location."
“That got me thinking that disused double-decker buses, which currently sit at scrap yards in the North East, could be given a new lease of life. Not only would that give them a new purpose when they’re no longer on the roads, and save them ending up in landfill, but it would also enable the creation of renovated buses that can be used for everything from mobile party spaces and bars to classrooms, kitchens and drop-in clinics.
“My aim is that through the bus renovation arm of the business, I can become a one-stop shop for parties and festivals, as everything would be in one mobile space for anyone or any business that hires them.”
Robert is currently working with Business Durham and Durham County Council to get the relevant approvals for his venture, and also tap into any support available to him. He is also working with East Durham Business Network to promote his venture to the business community and in talks with East Durham College about utilising the unit for some of its apprenticeship programmes.
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