One Vision Housing

Up to 200 local businessmen and women attended a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event in Southport organised by One Vision Housing and aimed at providing local firms with the opportunity to bid for up to £25million worth of Environmental contracts.

The event, which was held at Southport Theatre and Conference Centre provided attendees with the opportunity to meet with representatives of One Vision Housing and to provide help and support for smaller firms to navigate through the tendering process, which can seem daunting to the uninitiated or previously unsuccessful.

The work packages – part of the landlord’s £200million Decent Homes Investment Programme included fencing, flagging, landscaping, tarmacing, paving and associated environmental works.

A number of local businesses have now registered an interest in tendering for the packages, thanks to the help which was available on the day.

Businesses of all sizes were invited, with those firms with turnover of less than £1m and eager to grow particularly encouraged to attend.

Representatives from Build Sefton, Hugh Baird College, One Vision Housing and Procurement consultants Cirrus were all available to answer questions and provide help and advice about the benefits for smaller businesses from this type of contract.

These include simplified work packages arranged to match capacity, assistance with training and recruitment, standardised contracts and systems, business development and dependable cash flow payment on 30 days.

One Vision Housing Head of Regeneration and Investment Gordon Ronald said: “We have been extremely pleased with the response that we have received with this event. Over the course of the day we have seen up to 200 local businesspeople from a broad spectrum of suppliers.

“By making it easier for local businesses-particularly smaller organisations to tender for these types of work packages we are helping drive the local economy whilst encouraging the long term development of those firms – many of which directly employ our tenants and customers.

“There is an increasing trend amongst many social landlords to use large national contractors, however the recent OFT advice suggests that there maybe some pitfalls in adopting this approach.

“As a community-centred organisation One Vision Housing feels it is extremely important to support the local economy and support current government initiatives in supporting small businesses, this was one of the main purposes of this event.”

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