Big Buyers Brunch in Stoke-on-Trent showcases opportunities for growth across the region
December 19, 2024
More than 100 businesses from across Staffordshire headed to Stoke-on-Trent to hear how the city’s development plans offer opportunities to thrive.
Suppliers and sub-contractors met with local authority officers, property developers and principal construction contractors from across the region at the ‘BIG Buyers Brunch’ for a unique networking opportunity.
Held at the Jubilee Hall in Stoke, the event was organised by Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub, in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and FinditinStokeandStaffs.
Delegates heard presentations from speakers including the Chief Executive of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Jon Rouse CBE, and the Senior Planning Manager at Indurent (formerly St Modwen Logistics) Damian Holdstock, as well as Tom Wilmot, Joint Managing Director at Capital & Centric.
Tom spoke about the landmark Goods Yard project in Stoke, a major destination for residents and visitors, which offers opportunities to accommodate enterprising SMEs including creative businesses, independent bars, eateries and stores.
Leading construction companies including Bowmer & Kirkland, Willmott Dixon, Galliford Try and Seddon Construction were also present, providing local SMEs with information on future regeneration projects in the area and insight into procurement processes.
Robert Deacon, Commercial Manager at Burslem-based Oakland Joinery and Interiors, said: “As a local contractor it has been invaluable to see the investment going into the city and the amount of opportunity out there.”
Another visitor, Patrick Williamson, Sales Director at Tunstall-based human capital management company, Capture-it, added: “We met other vendors and colleagues from the supply chain and contractors delivering huge things that are going to have an amazing effect on the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent landscape.
“It was great to hear about these plans first-hand.”
Lois Rankin, Bid Manager at Broxap Ltd, the UK’s leading Street Furniture manufacturer based locally in Newcastle-under-Lyme attended the event. She said: “I found this event has been really helpful to us.”
“As a local company, we are always keen to do work within Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, so today has been great to meet all of the buyers, but also the construction companies that are working on the projects within Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. It’s been great to meet with them and talk through current projects and projects going forward.”
The event was the second of three Big Buyers Brunch specials held in the county. The first took place in South Staffordshire in September, and the third is being delivered in Tamworth on 22 January.
Rachel Wood, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub Manager, said: “After the success in the South Staffordshire, we were once again delighted with the feedback and response to the event in Stoke.
“We heard from some influential and interesting speakers from across the construction and development sectors.
“There is so much happening in Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire at the moment and the Growth Hub is here to ensure local SMEs are aware of the opportunities available and to have the support they need to elevate their own business success.”
SMEs based in Stoke and Staffordshire can register a free account with the Finditin business network to access supplier opportunities through the website and events. To register go to www.FinditinStoke&Staffs.co.uk
To find out more about the support available for businesses in the county, call Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Business Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or visit: Business Support in Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire – Stoke on Trent Staffordshire Growth Hub (stokestaffsgrowthhub.co.uk)
