Developer Parkside Regeneration reaches out to 2,000 Liverpool city region businesses as it looks to build a supply chain for its £80m logistics development. Tony McDonough reports
Parkside Regeneration has contacted 2,000 businesses across Liverpool city region to start building a supply chain for its £80m 800,000 sq ft industrial scheme.
On March 12 Parkside Regeneration, a joint venture between St Helens Council and developer Langtree, secured planning consent from the council to build three logistics units at the former Parkside colliery in Newton-le-Willows.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove gave the green light to the scheme in November 2021. In May 2023 Parkside submitted a ‘reserved matters’ application. This means it includes details not included in the original outline application.
Now it is moving onto the next stage of its plan to boost local supply chain input to the scheme. St Helens Chamber, which last week collapsed into administration, contacted the 2,000 businesses on its behalf.
Of this 169 have registered, and they will now go forward to the next phase of assessment. John Downes, chief executive of Langtree, said: “This initial search has proven highly beneficial and will help us maximise the local input into Parkside.”
He added: “We’re now working with the contracting industry to help us understand how best to qualify suppliers and sub-contractors for work on phase one.
“That’s about understanding the sort of documentation and accreditation that a main contractor requires of its supply chain to comply with its insurance and project delivery protocols.
“Once we’ve clarified this then we’ll be getting back in touch with our registered businesses with guidance on bid timetables and needs.”
Parkside will create the capacity to employ 1,330 people at the finished development, although eventual numbers will depend on the needs of the occupiers.
Cllr Kate Groucutt, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills and Business, added: “The surest way of maximising the social value for Newton-le-Willows and the wider borough is through helping local firms secure contracts to deliver Parkside.
“Building capacity and confidence in our local supply chain whilst also attracting high quality long-term jobs will be what marks Parkside out as an exemplar of true public and private partnership.”
Companies can still register their interest in bidding for a range of work packages, from earthworks to joinery and flooring to windows by clicking here.