STAFF at a North-East web developer and digital marketing agency are supporting the region’s thriving digital sector as they say cheers after a year of growth and an office move.

In the past 12 months, White Digital, which is based in Darlington, has taken on nearly 100 new North-East clients and five members of staff from the region, with turnover increasing by 50 per cent.

In March, the firm moved into its new premises – the former Sloan’s Bar in the town’s Grange Road.

Managing director Douglas Dinwiddie said: “The bar is the perfect fit for us – we plan to run lots of events, so it’s an environment that works well for this.

“We’re already hosting the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and Darlington Round Table Christmas parties here, while Darlington Business Club did their first networking event here after lockdown.

“We also have plans to host client drinks as well as street parties, where we invite all the businesses from Grange Road – it is quite a close-knit community and so it’s an excuse to get people together.

“It’s important to also create a great place to work for our team, which isn’t only inspirational but is also a fantastic place to have fun – and the bar is perfect for providing a separate space to our desks where we can laugh, learn more about each other and grow as a team.”

Since launching in 2015, the agency has grown rapidly, with the past year its most successful to date.

Offering a mix of website development along with SEO expertise and digital marketing talent has led to a major increase in clients, with the agency creating sites for Hinchley Camper Van Hire, Woodham Golf and Country Club, Paragon Aesthetics and Properties Unique.

It also works with Woodhouse Clothing, for which the team have created an implemented a full SEO strategy.

Douglas said: “While our background has traditionally been in website design, over recent years we have significantly upped our range of services to include SEO and digital marketing.

“The profits this expansion has generated are being reinvested into taking on more staff from the local area, as we’re passionate about driving the fast-growing digital sector in the North-East.

"We’re planning a further recruitment drive for two new roles: a business development executive for the commercial team and an extra member of staff to work within the digital strategy team.”

For more information on White Digital and its range of services, visit www.white.digital.