More than 100 local businesses attended a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event at Bristol Airport yesterday (10 January) to find out more about becoming part of the airport’s supply chain.
With passenger numbers forecast to top nine million for the first time ever this year, a range of construction projects are underway to ensure facilities for passengers and business partners keep pace. Projects are likely to include major building refurbishments, demolition of existing buildings, new aircraft stands, multi-storey car parks and more.
More than £160 million has been invested in infrastructure since 2010, and this looks set to continue should a planning application to increase capacity to 12 million passengers a year be approved. This growth could see the airport generating £2.4 billion for the regional economy and presents opportunities for a wide range of suppliers across South West England and South Wales.
The ‘Meet the Buyer’ event, organised in partnership with Business West, is part of the airport’s drive to build resilience in its supply chain and further develop already strong local connections. Delegates heard from main contractors about the experience of working at a busy international airport, and the Business West skills team were on hand to provide practical advice
Bristol Airport’s Development Director, Andrew Goodenough, said:
“This is a great opportunity for us to showcase the opportunities available at Bristol Airport for business in the construction sector. It is fantastic to see the range and quality of skills on our doorstep, and gives us confidence as we continue to develop and improve our facilities for passengers.”
James Durie, CEO of Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative at Business West said:
“It’s great to be working together with Bristol Airport to much more actively connect our local SW businesses with business opportunities from its ongoing growth and development. As an economic driver and also main gateway for people coming into or travelling out from the Bristol, Bath & SW region we need our local businesses, people and their products and services to be directly benefiting. It also showcases the brilliant brands and enterprises we have here. This is just what this event and future planned ones are about.”
North Somerset Council’s consultation on the planning application to increase capacity to 12 million passengers a year runs until 26 January.
More information can be found at www.n-somerset.gov.uk, where views can be registered.
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