North East leaders and businesses plan opportunities for Westminster restoration

North East business and suppliers could play their part in restoring the Palace of Westminster. Over 25 local businesses from across the North East, from Newcastle to Middlesbrough attended the event in Darlington last week (Thursday).

Local businesses and suppliers discussed with the team delivering Parliament’s restoration programme how the complex work can support jobs and opportunities across the North East. Small to medium sized businesses are already benefiting from the work to restore the Palace of Westminster.

Last year, seven contracts worth £4m for Palace of Westminster building investigations were awarded to suppliers across the country with five out of seven contract winners being classed as a small or medium enterprise (SME). There are already dozens of companies involved in the restoration effort and supporting jobs and apprenticeships.

Local experts in everything from manufacturing to architecture, lift design to upholstery, engineering and archaeology were all in attendance at the event to share their skills and experience, and to hear from the team at the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Programme about the approach to getting local businesses involved.

Andy Haynes, commercial director at the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority, commented: “It was fantastic to be in Tees Valley and discuss with local business leaders how they could support the restoration of the Palace of Westminster in the future.

“Parliament represents every individual and region around the country, so it’s really important that we make the most of the skills here in the North East, as we involve businesses across the whole of the UK in restoring the historic Palace of Westminster.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “Our brilliant local businesses contain a wealth of expertise that would make them ideally placed to help drive forward this restoration. Working on such a prestigious project will highlight our companies to the UK and further put us on the map.”

John McCabe, chief executive and roundtable chair, North East England Chamber of Commerce, concluded: “This was a great opportunity to showcase the diversity of skills and experience North East businesses can bring to the project to restore the Houses of Parliament.

“It was refreshing to see the project team come up to the region to meet with Chamber members and provide an overview of how they can engage with the project.

“I firmly believe our guests left with a clear understanding of the expertise they can call upon from the North East and I hope this was just the first step in a process that will see businesses from our region playing their part in such a huge and historic project.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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