Businesses from across Stoke-on-Trent are being urged to make the most of the development opportunities in the city – by signing up to work with the city council.
The authority is encouraging local businesses to bid for work as part of a multi-million capital programme which aims to transform the Potteries over the next four years.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council recently staged a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event to showcase the one million square feet of development opportunities in the city.
More than 100 businesses attended the event to learn how to submit a tender to be included in the city council framework which includes key projects such as new housing developments, refurbishing operational buildings and leisure sites, school improvements and the city council’s Transforming Cities Fund programme which includes a range of improvements to Stoke railway station and its surrounding area.
Councillor Abi Brown, leader of the council and cabinet member for corporate resource, strategy and partnerships said: “It was fantastic to see so many local organisations attend our Meet the Buyer event."
She added: “Big projects send a big message about the city, we are excited to be implementing this procurement programme and we hope professional services will benefit from a more streamlined approach through the tender process.
“It’s important for us that local companies are able to benefit from the resurgence of the city, and we are committed to opening up opportunities to as many city businesses as possible.
“We have some great local expertise and we want to ensure that we are able to use that locally.”
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Representatives from a range of sectors, including architectural, engineering and legal services, have already had face-to-face meetings with council services ranging from planning and project management to inward investment.
Now more local businesses are being urged to come forward to learn more about the tender opportunities.
Mark Palmer, director of Affinity Design and Management, attended the event.
He said: “We are very interested in the city council’s capital programme. We think it is a great scheme for Stoke-on-Trent as a city and also for the local professional community. We are keen to meet key council staff and build relationships.”
Andrew Durber, associate director of Wardell Armstrong which is a multidisciplinary engineering, environmental and mining consultancy, added: “We are excited to learn about the framework and how we can benefit from the new developments.”
- Any business interested in gaining a place on the framework should contact Jonathon Phipps, strategic manager commercial development at Stoke-on-Trent city council, at jonathon.phipps@stoke.gov.uk for more information.