Tyne Tees Business News

Nissan has said it is recalling thousands of cars in Britain due to a potential steering wheel problem:

Over time, the nut that holds on the steering wheel can become loose.

Drivers could start notice some wobbling of the wheel and if this is ignored there is the possibility that it could come completely off.

There have been a few incidents of steering wheels becoming loose, but there have been no accidents.

• UK
• Cars
• Nissan

Nissan is recalling thousands of cars in the UK due to a potential steering wheel problem.

The recall affects 133,869 Nissan Micras made between December 2002 and May 2006 and is part of a worldwide recall of 841,000 Micras.

• UK
• Nissan
• Cars

Nissan is recalling 138 thousand cars made at its Sunderland plant as a result of a steering wheel glitch.

They include models of the Micra made between December 2002 and May 2006.

The company says there is no danger of sudden failure and customers affected will be contacted.

• UK
• Nissan
• Nissan Micra

Fawdon Community Centre has a library, a playgroup and space for local groups. The council announced it did not have the money to keep it going - so a charity has taken over and saved it.

Newcastle Tenants and Residents Federation moved its offices there this week and will carry out its work representing the people of Newcastle from the centre, while maintaining the building through its existing budget.

Watch Lucy Taylor's full report below.

• Business
• Newcastle

When Fawdon Community Centre lost its council funding, the playgroup Helen Wilding had run for nine years was due to go too. She had 24 hours to decide whether to take it on herself, but in the end could not bear to see it close, so she relaunched it as a private company.

• Business
• Newcastle

Fawdon Community Centre was due to close after council funding was withdrawn, until Newcastle Tenants and Residents Federation agreed to take over, moving in its offices.

The charity will use its own budget to maintain the building, which houses a library, playgroup and space for community groups.

• Business
• Newcastle

Figures have revealed that although 2012 saw an increase in the overall number of overseas visitors coming to the UK, the North East missed out on a boost to its tourism industry.

The announcement comes as VisitBritain published its list of the top 50 cities for visitor numbers.

The only place in the North East to get a mention was the city of Newcastle, which was beaten by the likes of Leeds and Nottingham and did not even rank in the top 10.

• UK
• North East
• Newcastle

A proposed potash mine in the North York Moors would cost the tourist industry almost 40 million pounds in lost revenue, according to a report by the National Park authority.

The mine would be almost entirely hidden from view once it's up and running. But there are concerns over the four years it would take to prepare the site, which is near Whitby. But the mining company believes the report was compiled using flawed data. Here's Chris Frazer from York Potash.

• UK
• Potash

Tata Steel, which employs around 1500 people on Teesside and County Durham, has written down the value of its European business by a billion pounds.

The Indian-based firm has blamed the devaluation on weak markets and a falling demand for steel across Europe.

Tata employs workers in Darlington, Skinningrove, Hartlepool and Redcar.

The firm is expected to comment further on the move when it reveals its annual financial results later this month.

• UK
• Tata Steel
• Teesside

The famous designer Wayne Hemingway is visiting Middlesbrough to meet local business owners and retailers' on the town's Baker Street.

It's part of The High Street Innovation Fund, a Government scheme in response to retail guru Mary Portas' Review of run-down high streets.

• Business
• Teesside
• Middlesbrough