Chelmsford's close proximity to the Olympic Park in Stratford provides an excellent opportunity for local businesses to become part of the London 2012 supply chain for goods and services and to benefit from the wider economic impact the Games will bring.

Supplying the Games

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is responsible for delivering the infrastructure, transport and construction of the Olympic Park, whilst the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) will award most of the contracts for goods and services to stage the Games. These will range from temporary structures and sports equipment, to food, furniture and flags for the Olympic Village and sports venues.

LOCOG and the ODA are managing their procurement separately, but both bodies keep businesses informed through a dedicated Business section on the LOCOG website: LOCOG - Business Network  There will be many opportunities for firms of all sizes to bid for hundreds, if not thousands, of contracts.  Smaller firms may wish to bid for sub-contracting work from the firms who are awarded the main contracts, and they should also be aware of supply chain opportunities with the main contractors wherever possible.  A separate website has been developed, called CompeteFor, as the dedicated site for the publication of London 2012 Games-related contract opportunities: CompeteFor

Further business related information about the 2012 Games is available on the Business Link website.  Please note that strict guidelines are in place governing the use of the Olympic brand and it would be useful to familiarise yourself with these.

Other Games Related Opportunities

In addition to the direct contracts that will enable the Games to be delivered, the London 2012 Games provide a huge range of other opportunities for businesses in Chelmsford.

Tourism businesses, both attractions and accommodation providers, will see increased visitor numbers during the Games and town centre businesses, such as shops, restaurants and bars will also enjoy higher consumer spend.  Country pubs, with the right marketing, can capitalise on this increased demand too.  Further information relevant to this sector is available in the right-hand menu.

People visiting the Games from other areas may choose to drive part of the way and then complete their journey by train, as access to the Olympic Park by car will be restricted.  These people may therefore choose to utilise Chelmsford's many car parks and catch the train at Chelmsford Station, and this presents opportunities for private hire operators and other transport providers.  These people may also choose to spend time in Chelmsford either before or after their visit to the Games venues, and local businesses can capture their retail spend.

Leisure businesses are also likely to experience an increase in demand in the lead up to and during the Games, as people of all ages become inspired by the Olympics to undertake more sport and try new activities.

You may also wish to support a talented potential Olympic or Paralympic star through sponsorship or other support.  SportsAid and SportEssex can advise you on opportunities to support local aspiring sports stars and their websites are accessible from the links on the right-hand menu.

If Chelmsford's businesses can deliver an excellent and unforgettable experience for visitors during the Games, it will help to raise the borough's profile as a leisure destination and the benefits can be enjoyed for years to come.  Increased marketing activity will play a part in this, but the real opportunity comes from achieving enhanced quality that customers will value, and will drive repeat business, increased recommendations and sustainable business growth.  We hope that the London 2012 Games will inspire you to rise to the challenge.