NI businesses shape plans for restoration of Palace of Westminster

R&R representatives visited historic restoration projects nationwide and organised 13 roundtable sessions with representatives from small and medium enterprises (SMEs), training providers, local government, and traditional skills experts from every region of England and nation in the UK.

R&R Delivery Authority officials and parliamentary representatives partnered with the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce to host a roundtable meeting at Custom House, Belfast.

The discussion focused on the challenges of working on a high-profile parliamentary programme and the need to engage people in careers and opportunities within the heritage industry.

In total, 230 experts shared knowledge on how to deliver heritage restoration projects and how to effectively work with the individual specialist craftspeople, SMEs, and large construction companies needed for restoring the historic Palace of Westminster.

Costed proposals for the restoration and renewal of the Palace, detailing costs, timescales, risks and benefits of three delivery options, are expected to be published later this year. All three options for the work represent a significant, multibillion-pound investment in the Palace of Westminster, home of the UK’s democracy.

Judith Cummins MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and chair of the Restoration and Renewal Programme Board, said: “Restoring the historic Palace of Westminster, home of our democracy, will support jobs and generate considerable economic and growth benefits for businesses across all four nations of the UK.

"I’m delighted that so many companies, training providers, and specialists have already been involved in planning how we restore the building to make sure it continues to be the home of Parliament for generations to come.” While businesses of all sizes in Northern Ireland said “they would be proud” to contribute to the restoration of the Palace of Westminster and welcomed the opportunity the programme gives for building skills in their region, they also highlighted the challenges they face, so the R&R Programme can address them now to enable their participation later.

Key findings from the roundtables were:

R&R offers a significant opportunity to enhance and promote traditional skills industries, which could positively impact the regions and nations of the UK.

Transparent and early communication will be crucial in allowing organisations across the UK to prepare for the R&R Programme.

SMEs could be discouraged by complex and time-consuming procurement processes.

The cost of travel to and accommodation in London was a barrier to small businesses and to mitigate this, the R&R Programme will need to consider how it can help reduce these geographical barriers through initiatives such as off-site construction where appropriate.

R&R Programme and other Parliamentary representatives worked with Chambers of Commerce to understand how to make the most of the skills and specialisms across the UK.

Andy Haynes, commercial director at the Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority, said: “We met a highly diverse group of businesses and skills providers from across Northern Ireland at our vibrant roundtable event in Belfast. This provided an invaluable opportunity for the Delivery Authority to understand the needs of Northern Ireland, to consider how jobs and skills might be created, and to start conversations about maximising the impact of this historic project within the region. “Small and medium enterprises play an essential role in the Restoration & Renewal project, and by meeting with them across the country, we’re reinforcing our commitment to simplifying our procurement process and providing support to get involved in the programme.”

The wide-ranging feedback has offered tangible actions for the R&R Delivery Authority to consider which will help shape procurement and market engagement strategies as the Programme develops its Programme Business Case.

These actions are:

The R&R Programme’s ambition is to inspire careers, develop skills and create jobs nationwide. While the necessary skills are present across the UK, they may not be available in the quantities required. To address this, the R&R Delivery Authority is developing a labour demand forecast to better model future skills needs. The R&R Delivery Authority will also collaborate with industry organisations and training providers to promote career opportunities in traditional crafts and industries, aligning with the Programme’s social value objectives.

Ongoing communication and engagement to keep businesses and industry stakeholders informed about the Programme’s progress is of critical importance to ensure that the market is prepared when opportunities arise. The Delivery Authority is currently focused on planning procurement for Strategic Partners to become a first-tier supplier, following expected decisions on a way forward. Before the launch of that procurement, the Delivery Authority will maintain open communication with the supply chain and industry stakeholders.

Planning to support and guide SMEs through potentially complex procurement processes which are necessary for any organisation working on the Parliamentary estate. UK Parliament, the R&R Delivery Authority and its future strategic partners will consider how best to work with SMEs to clarify these processes, ensuring they are as simple and accessible as possible for the Programme’s future supply chain.

UK Parliament and the R&R Delivery Authority has already launched a new simpler dynamic purchasing system for conservators to bid for work in the Palace and on R&R in future. It will streamline procurement processes, making it easier for small businesses, sole traders, and micro-companies in the heritage conservation sector to bid for high-profile contracts, including those related to the day-to-day care of Parliament’s heritage collections as well as significant projects like the Restoration & Renewal of the Palace of Westminster.