Regeneration
Construction of new digital skills hub boosts local economy by over £1million
Published on
Bloxwich Launchpad is a new and exciting digital skills hub in the heart of Bloxwich due to open in Spring 2025, it will be housed in the former Post Office on Market Place.
The scheme is funded through the Bloxwich Town Deal and aims to improve access to digital skills support and training, as well as business support, for the people of Bloxwich.
As part of the agreement with Walsall Council, contractor Speller Metcalfe has been working towards a series of targets to generate social value for the local area. One of the key priorities for the council is ensuring the use of a local supply chain to make sure that as much money is invested locally as possible.
So far, Speller Metcalfe has spent over £530,000 within the Walsall borough, and a further £512,255 within a 30-mile radius of the project, using as many local suppliers as possible to boost the economy and support local businesses.
On Tuesday 28 January, Walsall Council and Speller Metcalfe joined forces on a community litter pick, cleaning up the area around Green Lane and Whitehouse Street. The team collected 13 full bags in total in the hour that they spent litter picking.
“ It’s really important that we invest in local businesses so it’s great to see that the construction of Bloxwich Launchpad has generated such a huge amount of social value. Boosting the local economy is key to driving business and employment growth and we want to make sure that it’s local people and businesses that benefit first and foremost from regeneration schemes like this “
“ As a local contractor, we are committed to benefitting the communities in which we work whilst on site. We a dedicated to providing social value on every project , whether that be through local employment, litter picking or engagement with schools, and recognise that our impact on local people and communities goes beyond the construction of new buildings “
As well as using a local supply chain, Speller Metcalfe has also employed a number of local people, facilitated site visits with local community groups and Walsall College, supported over 10 weeks of apprenticeships and made a donation to Bloxwich Community Partnership.
Walsall Council is committed to ensuring that investment attracted to regenerate the borough benefits local people first and actively works with delivery partners to maximise opportunities.
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