Olympic contracts tally nearly 300

Denise Saliagopoulos with Chair of LOCOG Seb Coe. Download this photo here.

Almost 300 Olympic and Paralympic Games related contracts have been won by Surrey firms so far and there are still more up for grabs.

The 295 deals are worth more than £740 million. This represents about three-quarters of the value of all contracts awarded across the South East, which totals about £1 billion.

Surrey firms to have won deals include security companies, caterers, construction firms and management consultants, among others. They have been working on projects including the Olympic Stadium, Velodrome and Olympic Village.

There are still contracts to be won which is why Surrey County Council and its partners have arranged a series of local business workshops in the New Year. The first will be in Woking on 12 January*.

Denise Saliagopoulos, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and the 2012 Games, said: “This is great news for Surrey in so many different ways. The county’s businesses have won more than £740 million worth of 2012-related contracts, which is a real boost for the local economy during these tough financial times.

“Our world class training venues are earning money from Olympic and Paralympic teams using their facilities. The athletes, coaches and wider entourages all need places to stay, eat and play, which all puts money into the hands of Surrey business people.

“I would urge local firms to attend one of our business events to learn more about 2012 Games opportunities.”

A total of 16 Olympic and Paralympic teams have now signed up to use Surrey’s world class training facilities, out of a total of 30 teams across the entire South East.

These include Team GB cyclists and basketball players. And with the deadline for nations to apply for a training grant of up to £25,000 from LOCOG being extended by a month, until the end of February, Surrey County Council is continuing its drive to attract competing nations to visit and base their pre-games camps in the county.

ENDS

For further information contact Surrey County Council senior media relations officer James Oxley on 0208 541 7259.

Notes to editors

* The Your Business Your Games workshop will take place at the Holiday Inn, Woking, from 9.30am to 1pm, on Thursday, 12 January. To book a place email samantha@btob.co.uk or telephone 0207 697 1979

The workshop will highlight the opportunities available to make money from the 2012 Games and also help companies prepare for high profile events taking place in Surrey, including the torch relay and Olympic cycle races.

To find out about future business events in your area visit http://www.gosurrey.info/business.

LOCOG is the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.