Local Islington suppliers will have the unique opportunity in October of having Arsenal contractors asking them for work.<br><br>The ‘Meet the Buyers’ event is being held at Arsenal’s current home ground in Highbury on 19 October but will focus firmly on the future and the delivery of services at the new Arsenal development.<br><br>Arsenal Football Club and eight of the major contractors on the development, including top buyers from AYH, Countryside Properties, Delaware North, Durkan, Galliard, Higgins, Kier London and Sir Robert McAlpine, have all confirmed their attendance at the event.<br><br>The event is being staged by Islington Council as part of their Arsenal business enterprise initiative that helps local companies benefit from the economic opportunities arising from the Arsenal development.<br><br>‘Meet the Buyers’ reverses the traditional exhibition experience by placing the buyers on the stands and allowing the suppliers to choose the buyers they wish to see. <br><br>Appointments are then arranged for the day with buyers meeting suppliers in a series of 15-minute appointments.<br><br>All of the buyers have been vetted and have confirmed exactly what they are looking to buy on the day and all have one thing in common – they will be there simply to find new local suppliers. <br><br>Executive member for communities, Councillor Laura Willoughby, said: “Major development projects like the new Arsenal stadium are of such a grand scale that local suppliers and sellers are sometimes overlooked in preference for bigger national companies.<br><br>“This programme gives Islington suppliers an opportunity to open up new markets with excellent growth.”<br><br>“The development of the stadium and associated housing is important to the local community and we want to enable our local companies and residents to fully reap the benefits of this project.”<br><br>Keith Bishop, Senior Contracts Manager for Kier London, said: “As one of the main contractors on the Arsenal development we are keen to secure the services of local companies. <br><br>“As contractors we are mindful that local businesses can often be more responsive and flexible as well as having logistical advantages over companies further a field. Buying from and contracting with competitive local companies makes good sense to us.”<br><br>Due to the financial support of the London Borough of Islington the cost to attend is just £65 +VAT.<br><br>For more information on what the buyers are looking to purchase, how you can get involved in this event or to book, please telephone David McAlpine on 020 7527 3556 (dmcalpine@urban.islington.gov.uk)
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009