A new event in Shropshire aims to help local businesses secure a share of construction work on significant infrastructure projects across the county. The Meet the Buyer event, scheduled for 29 October, will bring together local sub-contractors, supply chain companies, and public sector procurement teams to explore current and upcoming construction opportunities.
The event, organised by Shropshire Constructing Excellence and the Constructing Excellence Midlands Shropshire Club, will take place at Telford College in Wellington from 8.30am to 11am. It will offer local businesses a chance to connect with key contractors and decision-makers involved in major projects, including the regeneration of Shrewsbury’s Riverside area and Telford’s flagship Station Quarter development.
Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss timescales, bidding processes, and specific project needs with representatives from Shropshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, and contractors such as McPhillips. Additional buyers are expected to join the event, providing further networking opportunities for local firms looking to become part of Shropshire’s expanding construction landscape.
Mark Barrow, chair of Shropshire Constructing Excellence and executive director of place for Shropshire Council, commented on the value of the event: “This is an exciting opportunity for construction businesses across the region to learn how they can get involved in a pipeline of projects spanning Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. We hope that by attending this expo-style event, local firms will gain insights into the timescales and processes involved in bidding for work, allowing them to maximise their potential for securing contracts.”
Focus on Environmental, Social Governance and the Building Safety Act
In addition to the main networking and showcase sessions, the Meet the Buyer event will feature talks on the growing importance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards within the construction industry. Presentations will provide guidance on how businesses can demonstrate good ESG practices, such as environmental responsibility and social value, both of which are increasingly significant in the tendering process.
Updates on the Building Safety Act will also be presented, giving local businesses an opportunity to understand how these regulations will affect current and future construction practices across Shropshire.
Andrew Carpenter of Constructing Excellence Midlands will welcome attendees to the event, which follows the successful Spring Project Pipeline event earlier this year. Carpenter highlighted the importance of supporting local construction businesses through initiatives like Meet the Buyer, which allow smaller firms to connect with large-scale projects and contractors.
Major Development Projects in Shropshire
The event comes at a time of substantial development in Shropshire. Telford, now the fastest-growing town in the West Midlands, is undergoing a major transformation, with the Station Quarter project set to introduce new commercial, residential, and educational spaces, including a sixth form for Telford College.
Elsewhere in the county, Shropshire Council is overseeing the transformation of Shrewsbury’s Riverside area, improvements to town centres, and the addition of new infrastructure, such as a roundabout and railway bridge on the A49 at Craven Arms.
The Meet the Buyer event is free to attend and is aimed at businesses working in construction and associated fields, including sub-contracting, property development, civil engineering, infrastructure, low-carbon initiatives, and material design. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register in advance to secure a place. To register for the event, visit https://www.cemidlands.org/event/meet-the-buyer-for-projects-in-shropshire-telford-wrekin/
