Small business welcomes decision to expand Heathrow

Following plans for the construction of a third runway at Heathrow Airport receiving a green-light from the government, key industry bodies have welcomed the opportunities presented to small businesses.

Small firms in various sectors are expected to benefit from the 16bn procurement process to build the runway and associated works.

Overall, the expansion project is expected to generate up to 211bn in economic growth, alongside a boost of 180, 000 jobs and 10, 000 extra apprenticeships at Heathrow.

Mike Cherry, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) led the praise of Transport Secretary Chris Grayling’s announcement to expand Heathrow instead of Gatwick Airport

fSB agrees with the governments’ clear decision on the third new runway for Heathrow, which will help to boost international trade and create jobs, he said in a statement.

Cherry continued by urging instant action in capitalising on the potential for growth and employment, calling for budgets to be committed and shovels in the ground as soon as possible.

The Airports Commission has confirmed that construction of the third runway will likely begin in 2020 or 2021, but the owners of the UK’s small firms will be looking to enter the procurement process as soon as possible.

Cherry was keen to highlight the contract opportunities available for British firms, committing the FSB to supporting’smaller companies in the procurement process.

we will continue to workclosely with Heathrow to guarantee small firms will play a major part in the huge 16bn procurement exercise to build the runway and associated works.

President of the Confederation of British Industries (CBI), Paul Drechsler, released a statement praising the forthcoming opportunities for British businesses.

it will create the air links that will do so much to drive jobs and unlock growth across the UK, allowing even more of our innovative, ambitious and internationally focused firms, from Bristol to Belfast, to take off and break into new markets, Drechsler said.