LOCAL businesses are being encouraged to find out how they can benefit from Argyll and Bute Council’s multi-million pound new schools programme at a series of ‘Meet the Buyer’ events in the New Year.

The council, in partnership with Hub North Scotland, is planning new secondary schools for Oban and Campbeltown as well as the new Kirn Primary School in Dunoon. The main contract for delivery of the brand new schools has been awarded by hubNorth Scotland to Morrison Construction and there are opportunities for local companies to get involved either as sub-contractors or suppliers for these significant projects.

‘Meet the Buyer’ events will be held in Dunoon, Oban and Campbeltown during January. Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Education and Lifelong Learning, Councillor Aileen Morton, is keen to ensure that local businesses are aware of the potential available for them as a result of the council’s investment in new schools for the future.

She said: “We are making a significant commitment and investment in new schools which will bring major benefits for our young people and our communities. Through the Meet the Buyer events, we hope to extend these benefits and opportunities to the local business community.

“Here in Argyll and Bute we have lots of locally owned companies who have the skills, expertise, local knowledge and capacity to play a part in these major projects. I would encourage businesses to come along to their local Meet the Buyer event to find out more and get involved.”

Hosted by hubNorth Scotland and Morrison Construction, the Meet the Buyer sessions start off in Dunoon’s Queen’s Hall on Tuesday 20th January 2015. It is Oban’s turn on Wednesday 21st January when the team will be in the town’s Corran Halls. The last event is in Aqualibrium, Campbeltown on Thursday 22nd January.

The events will allow interested local businesses to come along and meet the Morrison Construction procurement team as well as representatives from Argyll and Bute Council, Business Gateway and industry body Construction Industry Training Board.

Local businesses are encouraged to come along to any of the events which run between 1pm and 5pm. One-to-one sessions are also available but must be pre-booked.