Small businesses to get free access to public sector contracts

From 1 May until 31 July 2008, the http://www.supply2.gov.uk website will allow new registrants to gain free access to public sector contracts valued under £100,000 for the UK and Northern Ireland. The free trial is part of the Department for Business' Enterprise Strategy which was released in March, which outlined new measures to increase the amount of government business that is won by small firms. Business Minister Shriti Vadera said, "Small and medium sized businesses need our support to expand. Many smaller businesses are more innovative, have lower costs and present better value for taxpayers than larger firms. "Introducing Britain's small firms to Government procurement contracts online will provide opportunities to grow that they would not have otherwise found.

Encouraging more small businesses to register for opportunities will mean buyers benefit from increased competition and access to a wider range of suppliers."

buy local News

Telegraph Research Shows 3,000 Greengrocers Lost in Last Decade

23rd June 2008

British high streets have lost nearly 3,000 greengrocers over the last decade, highlighting the dramatic decline of traditional shops and forcing customers to pay more for their fruit and vegetables, according to research conducted by the Daily Telegraph.

Doing Business in Norwich

20th June 2008

Do large businesses in Norwich buy from small local suppliers?

Whether large businesses buy from smaller local businesses is important to the economy, recent research commisioned by Norwich City Council, and undertaken by The Guild identifies ways in which large and small businesses can better understand their purchasing options. Read on to download a copy of the findings.

The second buy local member to receive an award in recent weeks

10th June 2008

Gary Wason of Hangman Curtains & Blinds

Awarded The Best of Norwich, May's Best New Business

The Hangman Curtain and Blinds

Opolka employee to attend the bssa Summer School at Keble College, Oxford

23rd May 2008

An employee of Opolka Ltd, has received a bursary to attend bssa Summer School at Keble College, Oxford, from 16th to 22nd August 2008.