Luton Borough Council

02/12/2022 - Event for local businesses puts a spotlight on opportunities and growth

This week (29 November) Luton demonstrated its commitment to supporting local businesses helping to deliver on its ambitions to create economic growth for Luton that everyone can benefit from.

Organisations got an update on Luton’s key developments and contract opportunities, business support and funding that is available to them.

It was also an opportunity for local businesses to experience a trial ride on the soon to be open Luton DART, the pioneering new transport system linking Luton Airport Parkway mainline station with London Luton Airport. The day also saw the unveiling of the Hat Gardens Pocket Park, where the River Lea has now been opened up in the town centre.

The ‘Think Luton, Think Business’ event allowed local businesses to hear from investors and local developers on supply chain contract opportunities that will become available as a result of key new and current developments happening in Luton. They also heard from the council’s economic growth team on how the team can help support them to grow by utilising the many grants and training opportunities on offer including Destination Digital and Generation Green.

Businesses also got the opportunity to hear from local education providers and hear how the council, with its partners, are working together to support development and growth in the area by discussing the future needs of business, jobs and skills. They also took part in sessions on recruitment and retraining staff. Important elements of the council’s Employment and Skills Strategy and its aim to ensure that Luton is a town that thrives and where no-one is left behind.

The Apprenticeship Brokerage Scheme and Good Business Charter (GBC) were both announced at today’s event.

The council has joined the GBC, an accreditation which recognises organisations that prioritise and care for their employees, the environment, customers and suppliers and the council is supporting Luton-based businesses looking to achieve the accreditation.

The Apprenticeship Brokerage Service, which the council will launch in the new year, will help businesses to recruit and retain staff by finding apprenticeship providers and support which will enable them to recognise early talent as well as help them to develop their employees and the skills within their organisations.

Cllr Sian Goding, portfolio holder for Regeneration and Inclusive Growth at Luton Council said, “It’s been an extremely difficult time for many businesses, but with over £1.5bn investment coming into Luton and £500m town centre investment, this brings a number of great new opportunities. This event was the chance for organisations to find out about funding and contract opportunities coming off the back of this growth and we hope they can benefit from these.

“We also hope that at a time when people are thinking more about who they work for and who they buy from, they would look to join the Business Charter and show that Luton has great organisations in which to work.

“This is all an important part of our longer term plan to create a strong economy and assist the business community in recovery, resilience, growth and ultimately prosperity”.

Daniel Coyle, Managing Director of Ryebridge construction said, “Being a Luton based business with the majority of our supply chain and workforce all local, any initiatives to boost the local economy and offer opportunities are essential. With Hat Gardens pocket park we were determined to show how local investment in local businesses can create growth and opportunities which benefit the wider community. We delivered the pocket park with 90% of the workforce Luton based and through our local supply chain drive over 70% of the value of the works went directly back to the community through using local labour and local suppliers.

“We have always supported and recruited Apprentices so the Apprenticeship Brokerage Scheme would fit immediately into our business and the Business Charter and supporting local investment is already part of our company strategy.“

Iftekhar Shah, Managing Partner Hannah Solicitors, said, “We are very proud to support the Luton 2040 vision, especially the Skills Agenda. It is vital that local organisations and businesses play their part in filling skills gap in Luton.

“At Hannah’s, we understand the importance of the promotion of grassroots talent, to ensure the future growth of businesses and essentially, our economy. With two outstanding apprentices already part of our company, we are looking forward to doubling that number in 2023. We will be working closely with local schools and colleges to promote the schemes we offer and provide exciting opportunities to the young people of Luton.”

Businesses looking for support can contact the team [email protected]

The Hat Gardens project has been made possible by the key financial help and support of the European Regional Development Fund.