******photo opportunity*****photo opportunity*******<br><br>What: Open day for local businesses<br>Where: Arsenal Conference centre, Avenell Rd, N5<br>When: Wednesday 1 June, 9:00am - 12:00pm<br><br>To help local companies and organisations benefit from the business opportunities provided by the Arsenal development and associated construction schemes Islington Council has established the Arsenal Business Enterprise Team (ABET).<br><br>Islington's ABET is forging relationships with the main contractors across the development; Sir Robert McAlpine, Laing O'Rourke, Kier London, and Countryside Properties. <br><br>ABET has already enabled two local furniture firms to tender for a £300,000 contract for furnishing 100 key worker flats for Newlon Housing at Hornsey Street, and has facilitated an Islington company to tender for a plastering, screeding and dry lining works contract for Laing O'Rourke at Eden Grove.<br><br>" I am delighted that the council is assisting local businesses with contracts for major projects in the borough like the Arsenal Development." says James Charles-Edwards, Coexistence Ltd.<br><br>Steve Armitage, Volume added: "The Business Enterprise Team is an excellent initiative and should ensure considerable benefits for the local economy" <br><br>To be effective, ABET requires co-operation from both development contractors and Islington companies. It needs contractors and their sub-contractors to inform ABET of their requirements, and to give local businesses the opportunity to tender, and local firms, which could benefit, to come forward. <br><br>Councillor Laura Wiloughby, executive member for communities explained: "We want to make sure that local businesses benefit from the Arsenal development and by setting up the Arsenal Business enterprise team we can put local businesses in touch with the contractors. We can also offer help and advice on bidding for contracts. If you’re a local business who would benefit from help from the ABET then why not give us a call on 020 7527 3439 and see what we can do for you."<br><br>In addition, the ABET will facilitate training for community organisations and entrepreneurs to help build their competence to bid for longer term business opportunities at Emirates Stadium and across the development. <br><br>ABET is also seeking to obtain a good representation of Islington retailers and social enterprises in the podium area at Emirates Stadium, and in the new commercial space across the Arsenal Development Scheme.<br><br>ABET, in partnership with Arsenal, is holding a half day conference at Arsenal conference centre on Wednesday 1 June 2005 for local companies , developers and contractors working in Islington on the business opportunities still available during the construction phase of the development scheme. <br><br>The event aims to:<br><br>· Make local companies aware of the contract/tendering opportunities<br>arising out of the Arsenal Development<br>· Provide information on how to get on the tender list of the main contractors<br>· Help businesses in the borough to improve their chances of making a successful tender <br><br>Ends
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009