Local companies urged to ‘take advantage’ of new policing college

Nearly £140 million is to be invested in delivering the joint public services college at Desertcreat with ample opportunity for local contactors, companies and businesses to supply materials and work to the project. The 250-acre site is to become operational in 2015.

The Department of Finance and Personnel approved the business case in October last year. It will be used to train police, prison officers and firefighters.

SDLP Mid-Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone said the project will be a much needed boost for the Mid-Ulster construction industry.

SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone is advising local companies to take advantage of these opportunities associated with the development after raising the issue through a Question to the Minister for Justice.

Mr McGlone said: “Local companies seeking to take advantage of these opportunities should, as normal, advertise themselves to the main contractors during the bidding phases.

“There will also be further opportunities to get involved as the college is prepared for operations in the run up to 2015.

”Up to date information on the college’s development can be obtained from the Desertcreat Programme Team on [email protected] or through the website www.desertcreatcollege.org,” said the MLA.

Procurement opportunities during the development will be published via the website and the Desertcreat college project’s facebook page http://www.facebook.com/desertcreatcollege, as well as the ISNI portal on www.isni.gov.uk/contracts.

He continued; “This is a unique opportunity for local companies to benefit from the £140million investment at Desertcreat.

“It will provide a much needed boost for the local construction industry and the wider local economy.

“I urge all local companies to ensure that they take advantage of every opportunity to benefit from this investment in Mid Ulster.”