BUSINESSES in the Darlington borough are being given free assistance to help them win more work in the public sector.

Darlington Borough Council is holding an event for businesses wanting to bid for contracts with public sector organisations, to ease the minefield of procurement often found by smaller companies.

The How to do Business With The Public Sector event, held on Thursday, November 12, at 8am, at Darlington’s Lingfield Point, will help local businesses with issues including bidding for public sector opportunities, pitching for work, and understanding procurement procedures.

The Northern Echo, in conjunction with the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC), is campaigning for more opportunities to be given to North-East businesses for work in the region, and for more work to be contracted locally, through the Buy North- East campaign.

NECC research has shown that by contracting an extra one per cent of work locally each year to 2016, the North- East economy would grow by £1.35bn and 6,000 jobs would be created.

Speakers at the seminar include representatives from Darlington council, North Eastern Purchasing Organisation, North East Chamber of Commerce and Compete North-East.

Chris McEwan, the council’s cabinet member for efficiency and resources, said: “By talking to buyers at the seminar hopefully local businesses will gain a better understanding of the way the public sector procurement process works.”

To book, email business.

support@darlington.gov.uk