Developer Parkside Regeneration vows to make it as easy as possible for Liverpool city region suppliers to bid for work on its £100m logistics scheme. Tony McDonough reports
Parkside Regeneration says it will aim to make sure local suppliers are given every opportunity to win work on its £100m logistics scheme.
Pre-construction work has started on the Parkside scheme at a former coal mine in Newton-le-Willows which could eventually lead to the creation of 3,000 new jobs. Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove gave the green light to the scheme in November 2021.
Phase one of Parkside, to build 1m sq ft of logistics space, will see 450 people employed on its construction. This first phase will create space that could lead to up to 1,300 new jobs. However, LBN understands Parkside Regeneration has ambitions to build a a second phase which could lead to a total of 3,000 new jobs.
Earlier this week Parkside Regeneration, a joint venture between developer Langtree and St Helens Council, awarded its first contract with a local supplier. St Helens sign manufacturer Vinyline Graphics will manufacture a range of exterior site signage following a competitive tender process.
The installations will appear around the boundary of the site, subject to planning permission. The deal marks the first ‘win’ for Parkside Regeneration’s pledge to involve as many local suppliers as possible in the delivery of the project.
It has appointed St Helens Chamber of Commerce to help manage the task of identifying and informing potential bidders of tender opportunities.
Langtree chief executive and Parkside chair, John Downes, said: “This is a complicated procurement process. But by taking a thoughtful approach on how we break it down and publicise it, local suppliers will find it easier to bid for work.
“It’s not about doing favours for companies. They have to be competitive. But our programme with the chamber is designed to support those who need it so that they are ‘fit to bid’.
“After that, it’s about helping signpost them to and through the tender process. We made a pledge at the very start of this project that we’d work hard to engage with local suppliers, and we will keep that promise.”
A team of professionals is busy working up different aspects of the programme. The main construction tender is expected to be published in the autumn. Bidders will be judged, in part, on proof of their ability to engage local labour and local sub-contractors.
Keith Hughes, managing director of Vinyline Graphics, added: “We have always had a keen interest in seeing this site transformed for the good of the town and the wider region.
“Parkside’s impact will be felt many times over if more local firms work with St Helens Chamber and we’re delighted to be leading the way.”