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12
August 2011 | Adam Leach
Contracts
to rebuild parts of London following this week’s rioting in the capital will be
awarded to local businesses “as much as possible”, according to the Mayor of
London Boris Johnson.
It
follows the announcement of £50 million made available to communities and
councils – in addition to money from insurance claims – for rebuilding and
efforts to improve structures, rather than just replace them.
The
scheme will try to ensure local sourcing. “The regeneration proposals will be
developed with communities and councils and we will ensure that contracts awarded
for the work go to as many local businesses and employ as many local people as
possible.”
A
spokesman for the Mayor’s office told SM
that while the detail of the local sourcing aspect won’t be announced until
later in the year, it will ensure local businesses are made fully aware of the
contracts when they are tendered.
During
the riots a Sony CD and DVD distribution warehouse was
destroyed after being set on fire, leaving many independent film and music
companies with low levels of stock.
Raising
the importance of risk management when dealing with disasters, Dave Alberts,
sales director at supply chain consultancy Crimson& Co, said: “While we hope insurance companies
will act quickly to recompense the likes of Sony from the fire at its
distribution centre and the numerous retailers and cash-and-carry businesses
from stock losses and loss of trading hours, the responsiveness of supply
chains will be a crucial factor in limiting the profitability impact and
helping to quickly restore the livelihoods of those involved.”
