The Darlington Employers Environmental Partnership (DEEP) has announced its first Net Zero Marketplace Event will take place at the Dolphin Centre on Friday, February 21.
Organisers are aiming for around 30 stalls, with businesses and other organisations showcasing energy-efficient products and initiatives.
Seth Pearson, director of Darlington Cares, which manages DEEP, said: “This is a unique opportunity to meet local organisations and businesses with know-how, experience and resources than can help provide practical solutions to other local companies.
“We are thrilled by the progress DEEP has made in a relatively short time, with a real sense of momentum building, and this event is the latest stage of its development.”
DEEP was formed at the start of 2024 to enable businesses and other organisations in the Darlington area to work together on environmental challenges following a suggestion from Darlington Building Society.
The partnership, thought to be the first of its kind in the country, now has more than 20 members, which meet regularly to network and learn from each other.
The marketplace event takes place between 10am and midday in the Central Hall, offering the opportunity to connect with other business leaders, showcase sustainability products and projects, and discover what other businesses are doing to reach net zero.
Andrew Perkin, Business Growth and Investment Manager at Darlington Borough Council, welcomed the event, and appealed to businesses to take full advantage of the opportunity.
“It’s great to see this kind of proactive approach to businesses working together on sustainability, so please come along and find out what more can be done,” he said.
“We’ve got some world-class companies in Darlington, carrying out globally significant research in the environmental sphere, but it’s important that the momentum feeds all the way through to small businesses and new start-ups.
“We hope more businesses will be inspired to become part of DEEP while discovering useful information and advice that can help them on their journey to net zero.”
Anyone interested in reserving a free stall to showcase sustainability within their business should contact Chelsea.Johnson@darlington.gov.uk. Or if you simply wish to attend and explore what’s on offer, feel free to drop by and enjoy the event.
Meanwhile, DEEP’s next ‘Network and Learn’ event takes place between 9am and 11am on January 29 at the Hopetown historic railway attraction in Darlington. Members will hear about the sustainable elements that have been incorporated into the multi-million pound development and be given a tour of the site.