Results of one of Suffolk Chamber’s most successful surveys - into public procurement pitch experiences - is being analysed to work out ways to make tendering easier.

The Suffolk Growth Programme Board (SGPB) wants to better understand how public sector procurement operates and what can be done to encourage more local firms to tender for contracts.

The SGPB commissioned the chamber to survey firms on their experiences with the public sector in Suffolk, which spent about £1.9bn in 2017. Nearly 400 results are being looked at along with parallel research into contracts awarded.

Suffolk County Council leader Matthew Hicks said: “The results and analysis of this survey is a critical step in enabling us to better engage with our local businesses and understand how we can ensure future tender opportunities are publicised and promoted in the local market.”

Suffolk Chamber is hosting six practical workshops aimed at helping local businesses to better understand how to take advantage of local procurement processes and procedures.

The first three are: October 24 at Ivy House Country Hotel, Lowestoft; November 29 at Ashlar House, Bury St Edmunds, and November 30 at Ipswich Town Football Club.