AWARDS SPEAKER: Hand Dyed Shoe Co founder Simon Bourne
AWARDS SPEAKER: Hand Dyed Shoe Co founder Simon Bourne

TOP entrepreneur and founder of the Hand Dyed Shoe Co Simon Bourne is be guest speaker at this year’s Teesdale Business Awards.
From small beginnings in a spare bedroom to an award winning, globally recognised brand, Simon Bourne’s journey as the founder of a bespoke shoe business has been unique, says awards co-ordinator Emma King.
She added: “This dynamic and innovative business leader has slogged his way through a global pandemic and faced the dreaded Dragons’ Den quintet on prime-time TV.
“Mr Bourne is a colourful character who prides himself on ‘being himself’, which is also the perfect metaphor for his unique product.”
The Teesdale Business Awards ceremony is planned for Wednesday, February 9 next year, at The Witham, in Barnard Castle.
The Teesdale Business Awards are aimed at giving recognition to Teesdale businesses, social enterprises, community groups and individuals who have been successful in their field of activity.
The judges are currently deliberating the nominations for the 12 award categories. Their shortlist of business organisations and individuals will be revealed in December, followed by the announcement of the winners at the awards ceremony in February.
Ms King said: “The last 18 months have been a challenging time for everyone, requiring great fortitude, resilience and adaptability but the Teesdale business community has rallied admirably, as evidenced by the calibre of the nominations this year.
“The judges will have a particularly difficult task ahead of them to produce their shortlists and winners this year.”
Early bird tickets, priced at £10 (normal price £12), for the awards ceremony are available to purchase online from the website www.teesdalebusinessawards.co.uk or in person orby telephone from The Witham box office on 01833 631107).
For more information contact contact Enterprise House by telephone on 01833 696750 or email emma@e-house.co.uk.