BUSINESSES in Redditch are being encouraged to “have a slice of the pie” by bidding for the billions of pounds worth of contracts available from the HS2 development.

Local firms joined a HS2 business meeting at Osprey House at the Heart of Worcestershire College in Redditch on Wednesday, November 15, to discuss opportunities available.

A question and answer session was led by Dean Piper, head of North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration, followed by networking and business support.

Leader of Redditch Borough Council, cllr Bill Hartnett, who helped organised and open the seminar said: “HS2 is not just about trains.

“Before 2026, when the first trains come into Curzon Street, there will be billions of pounds worth of contract opportunities to be had for businesses large and small.

“We need archaeologists, people who can fly drones, people who can provide catering facilities. It is not just about building a railway.

“The government wants people to have a slice of the pie, and I want people to have a slice of that pie in Redditch. I want people in Redditch to see the opportunities and grab them.”

Around 45 firms attended the seminar with speakers including HS2’s Craig Wakeman, Scott-James Eley, Sean O’Brien, and Ian McLaughlan from Great Birmingham and Solihull LEP.

Cllr Hartnett added: “We had a great turn out to the event and I was really pleased with the day. 45 businesses registered to take part in the event and that is really good.”

HS2 will use state-of-the-art high speed trains to carry tens of thousands of people every day across the UK’s new high speed network and beyond.

For information on the contracts available, visit gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-contract-opportunities.