Wake up and Smell the Opportunity in Taunton

Project Taunton breakfast event on 12 Sept will highlight opportunities for construction firms, builders and trades people.

The £1billion regeneration of Taunton has started and the impact on local companies is potentially huge - from tendering for new contracts to coping with increased demand for labour. Project Taunton is holding a free breakfast event for the construction industry on 12 September to explain the developments and help local firms capitalise upon opportunities, regardless of size.

Project Taunton is the regeneration of approximately 50 hectares of under-utilised land, it is by far the largest town centre development taking place in Somerset and one of the largest in the South West. Set to transform the town, Project Taunton is expected to create more than 2,000 new homes in the town centre and support at least 18,000 new homes across Taunton as a whole. It will also result in 80,000m² employment space, 50,000m² new retail space and will generate at least 7,000 jobs.

The Project Taunton breakfast is being hosted in partnership with The Genesis Project and being held at the Somerset College of Arts and Technology. ConstructionSkills (formerly CITB) will also attend to provide practical advice for businesses and information about the proposed Firepool on-site National  Skills Academy for Construction (NSAfC) for the the implications for employers. This is an excellent opportunity for all local construction companies, whether they are ‘one-man-bands', small to medium size enterprises or major developers, to be part of this project and Taunton's future.

Talking about the impact of the regeneration upon construction firms in and around Taunton, Ian Franklin, Project Director of Project Taunton, said: "This is a fantastic time for businesses in the area, after years of planning we are now seeing machinery on-site and developments starting to take shape. The challenge for builders and construction companies is to ensure they understand what's going on and keep up to date with what's happening so they can take full advantage of opportunities as they arise. We want to make sure that everyone in the local business community gets involved."

• Are you in construction in the Taunton Area?

• How could you be part of Project Taunton?

• Come and find out...

Project Taunton breakfast - important information:

• 7.40am - 10.00am, 12 September 2008
• Somerset College Conference Centre (limited parking available)
• The breakfast is free but places are limited so tickets must be booked in advance
• Contact: robbie.lowes@projecttaunton.co.uk / 01823 250 837

ENDS