Hinkley jobs fight begins (From This is The West Country)

Hinkley jobs fight begins

8:20am Tuesday 16th October 2012 in Somerset By Matthew Colledge

BUSINESSES in Bridgwater are being urged not to lose out to rivals from outside the area in the race for tens of millions of pounds worth of Hinkley C contracts.

Although it is yet to receive permission for a third nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, EDF Energy revealed this week it has already awarded £61million of contracts for the project to firms in the South-West, including £25million in Somerset.

Bridgwater companies which have won contracts include caterers, sign makers, building firms, printers, B&B owners, road sweepers and carpenters.

Somerset Chamber of Commerce chairman Rupert Cox has called on more businesses from outside the Bridgwater area to register with a dedicated Hinkley C supply chain website.

Of the nearly 1,000 firms nationwide to sign up so far, 346 are from Sedgemoor and Mr Cox said: “There is certainly an issue in Somerset that it’s been very Bridgwater-focused”.

However, businesses in the Bridgwater area want as much of the money to stay here as possible.

Richard Ball, 44, runs Three Ways Fire Pre-vention Services in Wembdon together with his wife, Shirley, 47, and the couple have won a contract to supply fire safety equipment and training at Hinkley C.

Richard said: “It’s fantastic for us. It’s added 10% to our turnover for the last financial year.

“It’s also a great opportunity for businesses in Bridgwater."