Build Up strikes deal with local authorities

Local construction industry workers are being given a golden opportunity to secure lucrative new contracts thanks to a deal struck by Build Up North Staffordshire (www.buildup-ns.org.uk.) The construction industry network, which boasts more than 600 members, is now giving members direct access to tenders with the area’s five local authorities – who collectively place millions of pounds worth of contracts every year.

After 12 months of negotiating Build Up North Staffordshire has brought together all local authorities to make bidding for, and hopefully winning, work with them as easy as possible for local contractors.

Builders, plumbers, architects, electricians, landscape designers and many other businesses signed up to the network will now have a headstart in tendering for work with Stoke-on-Trent City, Staffordshire County, Stafford Borough, Staffordshire Moorlands District and Newcastle Borough Councils.

Build Up North Staffordshire is the UK’s most successful construction industry network, and project manager Nigel Barrett explained: “One of Build Up’s primary aims is to ensure local construction contracts stay within our region – that means we secure local jobs and ensure the wealth created by this sector stays here too.

“It is a vision that the five local authorities share with us and they are all keen to give local contractors the best possible chance of securing work with them.

“Anyone working in the construction sector knows that tendering for local government contracts can be time-consuming. Often it is a barrier which stops smaller businesses from competing for this type of work – so we are breaking down the barriers and making it far, far easier.

“Build Up members will have a headstart in tendering as there will be no laborious form-filling. The local authorities have worked tirelessly with us to make this happen and we are grateful for their support.”

Now the network is urging all members to revisit the site and ensure their profiles are updated to ensure they have direct access to these lucrative local contracts.

This will ensure they effectively bypass the standard pre-qualification questionnaire, which can take hours to complete each time contractors bid for work with local councils.

Added Nigel: “This is a great step forward for Build Up and shows the strength of feeling among councils and contractors that the local supply chain must be supported.”