More local businesses set to benefit from borough’s biggest regeneration project

The joint venture partners hosted a fourth and final ‘Meet the Buyer’ event on 23 January at Havering College for local suppliers to learn about contract opportunities including the supply of white goods, painting and decorating services, wall and floor tiling, and other site services including builders cleaning, security, catering and labour on the biggest regeneration project in the borough. 

The events were a key part of the joint venture’s ambition to deliver a borough-wide legacy through investment in employment, education, skills and training.

It comes after three ‘Meet the Buyer’ events last year, following which local businesses were appointed including Downwell Demolition and Kilnbridge Construction Services. 

Downwell Demolition was appointed to carry out the demolition on the former Solar, Serena and Sunrise Courts site in South Hornchurch ahead of the construction of a modern new retirement village.

Similarly, Rainham-based Kilnbridge Construction Services continues to dismantle two tower blocks at the Napier and New Plymouth House site Rainham to make way for 126 affordable homes for local people.

As the JV partners’ sites move into the construction phase in 2020 and beyond, further local contracts are due to be tendered.

In total, the investment in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will make up a minimum of 10 percent of the total programme, valued at £100m of contracts to be secured by local businesses.

Sourcing local suppliers is also kinder to the environment as it can cut the carbon emissions produced by travelling large distances. 

The event included a presentation by Neil Stubbings, Director of Regeneration at Havering Council, on the importance of building to the local economy, and future plans for the borough. 

National developer Wates Residential also provided an overview of the 12 Estates regeneration programme and further details on the services that will be needed from local businesses for the next stage of the programme. 

Attendees had the chance to book onto one-to-one sessions with members of the Wates Residential commercial team to discuss their business credentials and ask any questions they have about the procurement process.

For businesses that didn’t attend, you can still sign up to the Havering Construction Supply Chain Initiative to be connected with the developers. 

Councillor Damian White, Leader of Havering Council, commented: 

“As part of our on-going commitment to support local businesses, it is great to have so many represented at this event and I would like to thank you all for attending." 

“This is yet another example of how our regeneration plans for the borough goes so much further than just building homes for local people. These Meet the Buyer events allow us to make sure we maximise the investment and business opportunities for residents and businesses too.”

Kate Ives, Development Director for Wates Residential, said: 

“It was great to meet with local businesses to discuss the great contract opportunities that are available across our sites in Havering. Through our previous Meet the Buyer events we have met some strong businesses running high-quality services from the borough and are now in contract with a number of these both in Havering and further afield.

“Wates Residential is passionate about ensuring that our presence in Havering brings with it substantial investment in the local economy, creating new opportunities for local people to grow their businesses and have a stake in the regeneration of their borough.”