Merton Council is busy encouraging businesses in the borough to take advantage of the Olympics coming to London in 2012.
In partnership with the London Business Network, the principal organisation charged with engaging the London business community in the lead up to 2012, the council recently hosted an event for Merton businesses. Forty-seven representatives from 38 local enterprises came to hear from Deputy Leader, Councillor Samantha George, and London Business Network chief executive, Mike Mulvey, about how they can best position their business to win contracts and benefit from the Games. Mike Mulvey also spoke about how businesses should use CompeteFor, the online “dating agency” which matches London 2012 buyers with potential suppliers.
Businesses should register on the CompeteFor website to be in a position to apply for contracts which are part of an estimated 75,000 future business opportunities. This amounts to about £6 billion of work expected to be allocated by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and London Organising Committee (LOCOG).
This event is part of the council’s continuing programme to support local businesses through the recession by facilitating supply opportunities. An event is planned for spring 2010 when the council will introduce suppliers to potential buyers within the council and some of its major partners and contractors. The council has also published its Selling to the council guide which advises businesses on how the council buys its goods and services: http://www.merton.gov.uk/selling-to-the-council
Deputy Leader, Councillor Samantha George said: “Merton is extremely well placed to benefit from the tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world who will be descending on London for the Games. We must not let this amazing opportunity slip by. We are lucky to be hosting the tennis at the Olympics, but our proximity to central London and our excellent transport links mean that local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, shops as well as catering companies, IT and construction companies should all be set to benefit from this global event. It is going to have a massive impact not only on the regional economy, but also on Merton’s local economy, and we want to see local businesses maximise these opportunities.”
Mike Mulvey said: “The London Business Network is committed to ensuring that the Capital benefits from the enormous opportunity presented by the 2012 Games and we urge firms in and around Merton who have not yet registered on CompeteFor to do so now so that they don’t miss out on these contracts. Contracts are being awarded to small and medium sized enterprises every day through the CompeteFor website.”
When the council organises business events, information will be uploaded to: http://www.merton.gov.uk/businessevents-2
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Notes to editors
1.The London Business Network is the organisation chosen by London 2012 to promote Games-related contracts to the capital’s business community. It is the principal organisation working with London 2012 to engage the London business community in the lead up to 2012. The London Business Network was set up as a joint initiative by three key London-based business organisations: London First, the London Chamber of Commerce and CBI London; and is supported by the London Development Agency.
2.CompeteFor was developed through a partnership of the London Development Agency, the London Business Network and the Olympic Authorities to allow businesses to compete for contract opportunities linked to London 2012. It acts as a brokerage service matching buyers with potential suppliers throughout the London 2012 supply chain. CompeteFor was launched in January 2008 and 27,000 London businesses are now registered on the system with a further 72,000 based throughout the UK.
3.Over 4,800 contracts have now been posted on CompeteFor.
4.The London Development Agency has committed to placing £170 million worth of contracts on CompeteFor per year.