Member Article

Teesside businesses urged to bid for a share of £45 billion

Teesside businesses have been urged to bid for a share of £45 billion, the money being spent each year by UK local authorities on goods and services from third parties.

Procurement expert Garry Stone told a packed audience at an event in Redcar that millions of pounds of that money was being spent by local authorities in the North East, adding that many more contracts were available with other organisations, including the emergency services and the Ministry of Defence.

The event at Wilton Centre was organised by the Enterprise Team, part of Redcar and Cleveland Council.

Garry, managing director of B2B North, passed on advice and guidance to around 120 delegates who packed into the auditorium, demystifying the procurement process by informing businesses of how to successfully bid for, and win, new contracts.

It was the latest in a series of free events organised by the Enterprise Team, a group providing free tailored business support to more than 250 companies across the borough thanks to investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The ERDF cash allows the Enterprise Team to focus on assisting new and existing small and medium size businesses based in the borough, as well as continuing to help residents who have a business idea.

The team is made up of skilled business coaches and is focused on helping companies across the borough to achieve their goals, including moving premises, increasing their turnover and improving profitability.

Garry Stone said: “Local authorities and other large organisations spend billions of pounds on goods and services and Teesside businesses should be doing all they can to secure their share of it.

“Many small businesses believe they won’t stand a chance if they bid for contracts with large organisations and that’s just not true.

“Whether your business is turning over £1,000 or £1 million, there are some common mistakes to avoid and a few golden rules to remember, including identifying what added value your business can offer - services or expertise that won’t cost the client any extra but that can make you stand out from the competition.

“It’s about identifying what makes your company the best candidate, for example do you provide the best value for money or are you able to deliver the greatest impact?

“Companies are often put off by what they see as ‘red tape’ but by registering on some of the portals and finding out what information is needed they can make sure they have that in place ready to start bidding for future contracts.”

Councillor Mark Hannon, Redcar and Cleveland Council cabinet member for economic development, said: “The free events organised by the Enterprise Team are a great example of how the local authority is working to help businesses succeed.

“By working together and sharing skills, expertise and experience we can all contribute to a growing economy.”

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