Small companies in the Lancaster and Morecambe area are being encouraged to sign up to the government’s business website to take advantage of thousands of public sector contracts — and a meeting in Manchester has been set up to help develop business tendering skills in March.
More than 123,000 companies have already joined the supply2.gov.uk website, which provides details about government contracts for small businesses.
On average, more than 3,000 contracts are advertised on the website every month, and the North West has the highest number of opportunities in England outside of London and the South East.
“Every year the government spends many billions of pounds on public sector contracts,” expains Beverley Hughes, Regional Minister for the North West, “and it’s vital that we’re able to help small and medium sized companies in the North West take advantage of them.
“In the current economic climate, this is more important than ever and I hope even more local companies will sign up to the site.
“Small and medium sized businesses can often offer the public sector better value for money than larger companies as they have smaller overheads, local knowledge and great flexibility.”
Companies which have signed up to supply2.gov.uk receive advice on the best way of accessing government contracts, and a free daily email alert notifying them of relevant new opportunities.
• Local businesses can find out more about how to apply for government contracts at a ‘Developing your tendering skills’ roadshow at the Ramada Hotel in Manchester on 12 March. More information about the event is available on the supply2.gov.uk website.