Small firms meet big contractors for slice of 2012 Olympics cake
SOME 200 small firms in East London have come face-to-face with the big 2012 Olympics contractors today (Tuesday) to grab a slice of a �6 billion cake. Contractors building the Olympic park need hundreds of sub contractors and service providers. So they met suppliers from the five host boroughs at a meet the buyers’ event staged at Leyton Orient
SOME 200 small firms in East London have come face-to-face with the big 2012 Olympics contractors today (Tuesday) to grab a slice of the �6 billion cake.
Contractors building the one-and-a-half square mile Olympic park at Stratford need hundreds of sub-contractors and service providers.
So they met suppliers from the five host boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Waltham Forest and Greenwich at a meet the buyers’ event staged at Leyton Orient football club.
Some 1,300 companies in Tower Hamlets alone are registered with the Olympics body. They have already secured 43 contracts directly with the Olympics authority so far, with another 10 supply deals with other contractors.
PRIORITIES
Tower Hamlets’ council’s new Olympic ambassador’ Waiseul Islam said: “One of our priorities as a host’ borough is making sure the Olympics economically benefit our communities.”
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Neighbouring Hackney also seems to be doing well out of it.
Hackney’s Mayor Jules Pipe said: “My priority is securing opportunities for businesses to get contracts at the Olympic Park. It is important firms have the chance to meet directly with the big contractors.”
Firms in Newham next door, which includes virtually all of the Olympics park between Stratford and Hackney Wick, have won 34 contracts to date, with 832 businesses registered.
EAST END SPIRIT’
Newham’s Mayor Sir Robin Wales said: “In the best East End spirit, we recognise a good opportunity when we see it.”
Waltham Forest council sees the Olympics as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Cllr Terry Wheeler said: “Businesses need to grab this chance. In the current economic climate, it’s evermore vital to boost the local economy.”
The Olympic authority expects to dish out contracts worth �6bn in the run-up to 2012.
