Parkside hosts 'Meet the Buyer' event as it ramps up efforts to utilise local supply chain

Article date: 29 October 2025

Parkside Regeneration, the joint venture between St Helens Borough Council and Langtree, has shortlisted four contractors to undertake enabling works for the project's 800,000 square foot first phase development. Their tenders will be scored with a 'significant weighting' in favour of bidders who can show how they will use local sub-contractors and local labour.

"We have said from day one that Parkside should be judged on its wider economic and social impact and this is the biggest opportunity to date to put that objective into practice," said Malcolm Jackson, managing director of Langtree.

"This event is seeking to identify suppliers for a range of substantial sub-contracting packages as part of a large, multi-million pound programme of works. The joint venture has received a lot of interest from the local supply chain and this isn't just an opportunity for them to bid for work on Parkside, but to position themselves with the shortlisted main contractors as suitable for other projects they may be working on."

Almost 200 companies from across the Liverpool City Region have registered with the project across all construction and materials needs, and the database remains open for late registrants at https://parksidem6.com/local-suppliers/

Delegates who register for the event on Tuesday 4 November will be able to book time slots to speak with named representatives from each of the four short-listed bidders. Further events will be hosted when other key packages, such as unit construction, are up for grabs.

Councillor Kate Groucutt, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business and Inclusive Growth at St Helens Borough Council said: "The Parkside regeneration programme represents a substantial investment in our Borough and it is our priority as a council that local business and local residents benefit significantly from this, not only upon completion but throughout the construction process. This event is a fantastic opportunity for our local businesses to understand the plans for the area and access supply chain opportunities, and I would urge all eligible businesses to register their interest as soon as possible."

Parkside Colliery produced almost a million tonnes of coal a year at its peak, employing approximately 2,000 staff.  By the time of its closure in 1993, around 800 staff were employed.  Employment forecasts for phase one of Parkside anticipate the creation of as many as 1,300 gross operational jobs.

John Downes, executive chair of Langtree, says there is a wider opportunity to 'join the dots' between the area's supply chain and some key public sector programmes.

"There is a wider opportunity here to demonstrate the mutuality between local companies and the help and support available from the public sector," he explained.

"There are a number of programmes which companies can tap into that will support their growth and people development, and we'll have representatives at this event for them to explore more.  Parkside offers scope for the council and JV to work on opportunities such as business growth support, helping local people through the Ways to Work programme and on to schools careers advice.  There are 'wins' for local companies and people whichever way you look at it," said Mr Downes.

The four tenderers for the enabling works package must submit their tenders by 28 November.