Members of chamber’s Construction Forum met with their counterparts on the island to discuss best practice, knowledge transfer, skill development and a brief regarding developments

Members of Wirral Chamber of Commerce Construction Forum have returned from the Isle of Man after participating in a day long trade meeting with the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce. 

The event, which took place at the Salmon Lake Centre in Laxey, has enabled a number of positive links to be made and collaborative discussions to take place on a wide range of construction-related areas with counterparts from the island’s construction sector.

This included best practice, knowledge transfer, skill development and a brief regarding developments, particularly on projects such as the coastal defence, Douglas Promenade redevelopments, and investment schemes which are proposed for Wirral.

Leading the Wirral sector group were Paula Basnett, chief executive of Wirral Chamber and Paul Cardwell from Bromborough-based Capital Reinforcing and vice chair of the Construction Forum.

Mr Cardwell highlighted the importance of the visit to the island, saying: “We have developed a very strong, vibrant Construction Sector Forum in Wirral and it is key to its continual development that we look to create positive partnerships, such as the links we have built with the Isle of Man.

“In this way we can enable members of both the respective forums to learn from each and have a platform to strengthen links and look at possible project opportunities.”

During the day more than 60 delegates from the Isle of Man and Wirral took part in discussions with representatives from the Manx Department’s of Enterprise, Infrastructure, together with Wirral Council and the Wirral Met College. 

Stephen Smyth, Construction Sector Lead, Isle of Man Chamber, added: “It was great to see businesses from our respective areas exploring ways in which they can complement each other, and work together for mutual benefit.”