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Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, is to join with the North East Social Enterprise Partnership (NESEP) at the ‘Social Enterprise Christmas Market Place’ in Newcastle’s Grainger Market this week.

The event, which takes place from 9am to 4pm on Friday 17th December, aims to introduce the work of social enterprises to a wider audience and raise the profile of the North East’s social enterprise sector.

Catherine McKinnell will attend the event from 2.15-2.45pm.

Catherine said:

“I am really looking forward to attending the Social Enterprise Christmas Market and am delighted to be able to lend my support to this excellent initiative. I am particularly pleased that NESEP have chosen to hold this event in Newcastle’s iconic Grainger Market – which is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year.

“I would urge people to pop by the event on Friday to see what last minute bargains they may pick up before Christmas – safe in the knowledge that their money will be supporting ethical, community-based local organisations.”

Karen Wood, Chief Executive of NESEP, said:

“Our Social Enterprise Christmas Market Place is an excellent opportunity for the public to see the inspiring work social enterprises from across the North East are doing to benefit our local communities. We are hoping the festive nature of the event will attract a good number of people, and are delighted that Catherine will be attending.”

NOTES:
1. The Social Enterprise Christmas Market Place has been organised by the North East Social Enterprise Partnership (www.nesep.co.uk), which represents and provides support and advice to social enterprises in the region. It is run by social enterprises for social enterprises.
2. A wide range of social enterprises will be present at the Christmas Market Place event including:
• Sunderland Dance, a community interest company that provides dance and fitness programmes, whose Director Delores Martin recently won the Best Social Enterprise Award at the Women into the Network Annual Award Ceremony
• Sports Recycler, a South Tyneside based social enterprise that refurbishes discarded bicycles and other sports equipment, which it sells back to the community at an affordable price to encourage healthier lifestyles
• Real Food Works, a business that aims to promote healthy eating who will be bringing their ‘Smoothie Bike’ – a bike that when pedalled activates a blender to produce smoothie drinks.