Thousands of small businesses across the country will have more opportunities to win valuable contracts with public sector organisations, supporting local economic growth and innovation. Under the National Procurement Policy, complicated government buying processes will be simplified to make it easier for small businesses to create more jobs. The idea of the announcemnt is to […]

As more than 500 crime fiction fans descended on the Playhouse, Whitley Bay for Bay Tales 2025, Spark‘s Eleanor Tait spoke to award-winning author of the Vera and Shetland book series, Ann Cleeves, about the writer she’s supporting at this year’s festival.

Glass making events taking place in Sunderland have been providing a ‘unique’ experience for children. The National Glass Centre (NGC) in Sunderland has been hosting “Animal Sandcasting” events over the last few months. Children aged five and over are taught how to use sandcasting techniques with hot glass to make animals such as a hedgehog […]

Glastonbury has unveiled its initial lineup, and among the star-studded names is South Shields’ very ownown JADE, performing alongside headliners such as The 1975, Olivia Rodrigo, RAYE, and Charli XCX. The announcement comes just days after JADE’s big win at the BRIT Awards. Former Little Mix member, Jade Thirlwall, now known as JADE, took home […]

A vibrant market showcasing over 50 women-owned businesses will take place in Newcastle this International Women’s Day weekend. The event, held on March 8 and 9 at the Ouseburn Trust Visitors Centre, will run from 10 am to 4 pm. Organised by Flaura Rose and The Find, the market is free to attend and aims […]