As advertised on the UK Government Contract Finder Portal (https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk) Blue Orchid is seeking a supplier of Venue Hire Across Cheshire & Warrington services.
BACKGROUND
Blue Orchid currently delivers a range of advice, guidance and mentoring services to small & medium sized businesses within the UK.
This includes the delivery of the EU-ERDF funded programme Cheshire & Warrington SME Growth Grants & Access to Finance Advice, which requires the procurement of all services and equipment that are used wholly or in part in their operation.
We are looking for quotes from multiple venues across Cheshire & Warrington suitable to host a series of business presentations/workshops from 2020 onwards to the end of the project
The type and number of workshops is still to be confirmed however we would expect to deliver approximately 10-20 workshops across the Cheshire & Warrington each year aimed at small to medium sized businesses.
Please note, therefore that response to this submission is at the sole cost of the supplier.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE BRIEF AND SELECTION CRITERIA
Suitable/interested venues will need to be able to provide the following:
1. A room/venue in good upkeep to accommodate three potential event sizes
a. less than 10 people
b. up to 25 people
c. and up to 100 with appropriate tables and chairs in various room layouts.
2. A venue appropriate to deliver to small to medium sized businesses with wheel chair access.
3. Flexibility to accommodate full day or half-day workshops.
4. Wi-Fi facilities in the room that can be provided free of charge to all attendees.
5. A screen and projector suitable for connection to both a MacBook and PC laptop
6. Provision of light drink refreshments (tea, coffee, juice).
7. Have their own café/restaurant or alternatively allow external caterers access for lunches etc.
8. Onsite parking or close to alternative parking, both with wheel chair access.
9. Appropriate insurances, health & safety procedures, hygiene certificates etc. as appropriate.
Interested parties are required to email their completed response procurement@blueorchid.co.uk before the specified deadline confirming they can fulfill all of the above requirements and supply a breakdown of costs. The full tender specification and application form can be accessed here
Blue Orchids standard supplier terms & conditions can be accessed here
By submitting this information you are not guaranteed to host any workshops but will be included on our supplier list as potential venues across the Cheshire & Warrington area.
Venues will be selected on a most economically advantageous tender process when each workshop is released combining equally cost with suitability/location of the venue in regards to target audience.
Tenders are invited to develop and deliver a summative assessment for the ERDF Project – Cheshire & Warrington Growth Hub, Grant & Advice Service (2015-2019) that complies with and satisfies the requirements of the European Regional Development Fund.
The Cheshire & Warrington Growth Hub, Grant & Advice Service project provides a first point of contact for SMEs to access advice, guidance and referral into the ecosystem of the business Support services available both nationally and locally. Provision of online resources, telephone support and access to 1-2-1 business advice for SMEs with identified growth potential to support them to develop a plan for accessing the support required for them to realise their potential.
In addition, the core BEIS funding was used as match to draw down ERDF funding and provide additional services to business including financial grants, additional IDB provision and 12 hours specialist consultancy support.
The project has been delivered by Blue Orchid Enterprise Solutions Ltd since 2015 on behalf of the Cheshire & Warrington LEP and included the delivery of;
The successful provider will:
Deadline for response: 21/02/2019
Click here to view the full tender specification & supporting documents.
The project is part-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
We are delighted to announce that the Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub, managed by Blue Orchid, is launching a second round of its highly successful SME Growth Grants.
These grants support small and medium sized businesses to implement bespoke projects and investments that can unlock their growth potential. The grants are designed to help build capability, improve efficiency and productivity as well as support expansion into new markets and sectors.
The grants will:
The flexibility of the grants enables companies to procure services that best fit their requirements and are designed fill gaps in provision from other publicly funded support programmes available in Cheshire.
Since September 2016 the Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub, operated by Blue Orchid, has provided Growth Grants to over 50 small and medium sized enterprises. A further 200 SMEs have received free access to specialist, independent consultancy support. This has not only led to the development and launch of 30 new products and services but also the creation of more than 50 new jobs along with investment of more than £700,000 in growing local businesses. Grant recipients and the supplier community, 77% of whom themselves have been Cheshire SMEs, have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback for the programme.
The additional funding for the second round of SME Growth Grants was made available by the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This resulted from the successful delivery of the first phase of the SME Growth Grant Programme. The additional funding will extend the service to the end of 2018.
For more information on the Grant Programme or to discuss what business support services are available, contact the Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub on 03300 245 007 or Click Here to visit the local services page.