Local businesses in Harrow were given the chance to find out how they can get involved in the new Byron Quarter development in Wealdstone, a project by the London Borough of Harrow in partnership with Wates Residential.
A “Meet the Buyer” event held on Thursday 24 April attracted 34 local suppliers and businesses. Attendees were able to meet representatives from the council and Wates to discuss potential supply chain opportunities and receive support to become supplier ready.
Byron Quarter is set to deliver 149 new family homes, including council-owned houses. The development is the first of two council-owned sites being regenerated through the Harrow-Wates partnership. Construction is due to start later this year and will last around two years.
The council says the development will help create jobs and support skills and training in the borough. As part of its wider regeneration plans, the council has pledged to spend 15% of its procurement budget with locally based suppliers.
Cllr Marilyn Ashton, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, said: “Our regeneration developments are about more than just housing – as a partnership, we are passionate about creating sustainable communities and enhancing the local economy. This first Meet the buyer event plays a key part in that ambition, and there will be more as our plans for Poets Corner, the former Civic Centre site, progress.
“Byron Quarter is an exciting well-designed development delivering much needed genuinely affordable family-sized homes including council-owned homes. Set against the backdrop of Byron Park and with links to the Belmont Trail, the low-rise development will reflect the character of the local neighbourhood.”
Leigh Johnson, Regional Development Director at Wates Residential, said: “We’re proud to be working with the London Borough of Harrow to ensure the benefits of regeneration are felt across the local community and economy.
“By proactively opening up our supply chain locally, we’re creating meaningful opportunities for Harrow-based suppliers to play a part in this positive transformation. Our goal is to make sure local people and businesses are at the heart of this project – from the very start and throughout the years to come.”
Packages of work available on the project include groundworks, landscaping, brickwork, roofing, windows, carpentry, plastering, tiling, cladding, and more. Additional services being sought include catering, printing, security, and general site labour. A range of skilled trades are needed, such as electricians, plumbers, bricklayers, carpenters, and decorators.
Working with local suppliers also supports Harrow’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 by reducing emissions from transport.
Further events are scheduled to help businesses join the supply chain:
- Thursday 5 June – Constructionline Going for Gold: a session on achieving Gold verification
- Friday 27 June and Monday 30 June – CITB Grants and Funding workshops: support for CITB-registered businesses
Businesses can register to attend and find out more about supply chain opportunities at:
https://forms.office.com/e/diKbBnYkNz
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
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