Flame sets off £27m bonanza
Published 13 Jul 2012 14:00
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BUSINESSES in Berkshire are proving their worth in gold after winning lucrative multi-million deals to provide key goods and services at London 2012.
Corporations and organisations across the county have secured a whopping £27m in business contracts to play their part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games when the 'Greatest Show on Earth' comes to Britain on Friday, July 27 and climaxes on Sunday, September 9.
Representatives from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) have revealed that 164 Berkshire businesses will be taking part in the Games, offering everything from food to fitness and communications and travel.
Speaking at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday, Oona Muirhead, LOCOG nations and regions member for the South East said: "A huge range of businesses have won contracts out of the Games and the world's eyes will be on Berkshire and Reading. It will showcase what businesses have got to offer."
Catering company Baxter Storey, which has its head office in Thames Valley Park Drive, will serve hundreds of meals to hungry media teams, including television and radio presenters from the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV. Baxter Storey chief executive Neil Mahony said: "It is a fantastic opportunity for us to be seen as a leading UK caterer and selected to meet the needs of such a prestigious event. Soon we'll be serving every main broadcaster from across the globe!"
Meanwhile BMW in Bracknell is providing a fleet of bicycles and environmentally friendly cars to transport (LOCOG) staff, Airwave Solutions in Slough are offering radio communications equipment and Thames Water, which has head offices in Vastern Road, has also won a contract.
Chartered accountants and business advisers James Cowper, which has offices off Queens Road, anticipates the county has reaped a £3.5m boost from this week's Olympic Torch relay, as tens of thousands of excited residents lined the route to catch a glimpse of the famous flame.
Company business services partner Mike Farwell said the figure includes spending on meals, drinks, souvenirs and petrol and added: "There is certainly a lot of excitement in the individual cities, towns and villages which the relay will be passing through and the figure could be even higher if you also take into account the feel good factor and the publicity which will be generated for each region."
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