Supply Southwark

Southwark businesses are a major contributor to the success of the local economy. They create wealth and employment throughout the borough and play an integral role in the improvement , development, vitality and diversity of Southwark.

The council is committed to supporting the local economy through council procurement and supply chains and is working with several partner organisations in promoting local small businesses as valuable suppliers to the council and other public sector organisations.  

The Southwark supply group

The Southwark supply group is a small business led partnership driving forward improvements to help small local businesses access and compete for council and other public sector contracts. Supply Southwark works with the council in reviewing and improving its procurement processes to the benefit of local small businesses including ethnic minority businesses and social enterprises.

Small businesses often feel that they don't know how to find out about public sector contracts and can often face barriers in completing the complex tendering process involved. The supply Southwark group works to break down these barriers and works with a number of partner organisations that can support small business become 'fit to compete' for contracts within the borough and beyond.  

If you are a small business in the borough you can:

• get on the Southwark council register of interest used by council officers when drawing up tender lists and/or seeking quotes for goods and services
• if you are a building contractor or consultant you should sign up to the councils Approved List managed by Exor
• get information on 'How to Do Business with Southwark council
• get advice or training from a number of support organisations on how to become 'fit to compete' and 'fit to win' for public sector contracts

Please go to our economic development page for more information on how the council can support your business.

Attend 'meet the buyer' events

There are a number of events throughout the year where small businesses have the opportunity to meet major purchasers from both private and public organisations. Information on these events is disseminated via business support organisations throughout the borough and will be advertised on this page so watch this space.