Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about registering on the Somerset Supply Chain database, keeping your record up to date and winning work on regional construction projects.
What is the Somerset Supply Chain?
The Somerset Supply Chain is a free business-matching service run by Somerset Chamber of Commerce, connecting local suppliers with the contractors delivering major projects across Somerset and North Somerset — including the EPIC Campus and Hinkley Point C, with more projects added as they’re confirmed.
The Somerset Supply Chain is delivered by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, which represents local businesses and is one of the 53 Chambers across the UK accredited by the British Chambers of Commerce. That puts Somerset Chamber in a unique position to run this service: it already has established relationships with the public sector bodies commissioning these projects (such as North Somerset Council) and with the private sector contractors delivering them, alongside a national network of Chambers that extends opportunities and influence beyond Somerset’s borders.
Somerset Chamber has been matching local suppliers to work packages on Hinkley Point C since 2010, helping secure more than £5.3 billion of investment into South West businesses over that time. The Somerset Supply Chain platform builds on that track record to bring the same approach to every major project in the region.
One registration lets you select which project(s) you want to be considered for. Once registered, your capabilities are visible to the Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors sourcing suppliers for those projects.
Why should I register?
Registering on the Somerset Supply Chain puts your business in front of the main and Tier 1/2 contractors actively looking for Somerset capability across all Somerset Supply Chain projects — from the EPIC Campus in North Somerset to Hinkley Point C and beyond. One registration covers every project you choose to select.
Being registered means:
- You’re visible to buyers. If you’re not registered, your company cannot be put in front of contractors — registration is the only route in.
- You get matched, not just listed. The supply chain team actively profiles registered businesses against live work packages and proactively suggests you to contractors when your capability fits.
- You hear first. Registered companies receive newsletters, direct emails on relevant opportunities, and invitations to events like ‘Meet the Buyer’.
- You can grow beyond your usual reach. Whether that’s a first step into construction supply chains, or scaling up through collaboration with other local firms on larger packages.
It costs nothing and takes a few minutes — the more complete your profile, the more likely you are to be matched.
Who can register?
Anyone can register — there are no barriers to entry, whatever your size, sector or location. Sole traders, SMEs, and national or international suppliers are all welcome on the platform.
Size is genuinely no barrier. Contractors are often just as keen to find a way to work with very small firms and sole traders as they are larger companies — smaller work packages, local subcontracting, or one-off specialist requirements all rely on this end of the market, and registering is how those businesses get found.
That said, local suppliers are prioritised. Somerset Supply Chain exists to boost businesses within Somerset and North Somerset, so when the team searches the database against a contractor’s requirements, Somerset-based companies are surfaced first. Businesses from further afield remain visible and may still be approached, particularly where no local supplier can meet a specific requirement — and it can also open the door to partnering with a local business to deliver the work together.
What projects can I register for?
At registration you can select every current Somerset Supply Chain project relevant to you — including the EPIC Campus in North Somerset and Hinkley Point C, with more added as new projects are confirmed. You can view the full up-to-date list on our Projects page.
Because there’s a single registration point covering every project, you only need to register once — just tick the project(s) you want to be considered for. Anyone can register and express interest in a project, even if you’re not sure you meet its specific criteria — any project-specific requirements are set out on that project’s page, but registering is always open.
How do I register, and what happens after?
Register for free at [somersetsupplychain.co.uk/register](https://www.somersetsupplychain.co.uk/register/).
It’s worth having your company details to hand but you can proceed with just name and contact details in the first instance – capabilities, accreditations, etc can all be added later in your account area accessed via the [login](https://portal.somersetsupplychain.co.uk/) page.
Once you submit your registration, you’ll receive an email confirming it’s been received. Registering is only the first step — a sparse profile doesn’t represent your business well to contractors and makes it much less likely that you will appear during database searches. We’d recommend filling in as much detail as possible at registration then revisiting your record regularly to keep it current and add any new capabilities or accreditations.
How can I increase my chances of being invited to tender?
A few things help:
- Register with as much detail as possible. Give the team a real chance to match you by thinking broadly about everything you offer, not just your primary trade, and completing every relevant field.
- Review your registration regularly — at least every six months — and keep it up to date.
- Make your prime capability clear, you have the opportunity to describe what you do via the keywords section, there are often several ways to tell the team what you can do
- Attend events and workshops to put a face to your business and its capabilities.
- Keep doing your normal business development. The Somerset Supply Chain is one of a range of tools to help you get in front of the right people at the right time — not a replacement for your own networking and outreach.
How do I find out what contracts are coming up?
Many of the work packages Somerset businesses can bid for are put out to tender by Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors, who have themselves been awarded contracts by the main client on a project. Some contractors also issue work directly to suppliers, and a number of Somerset and South West businesses have already secured contracts this way.
The Somerset Supply Chain team works proactively with Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors across every project to understand their requirements. If your registration matches what a contractor is looking for, the team will contact you directly — this is the main route to opportunities, so the more complete your profile, the more likely you are to be found.
Alongside this, we share news of upcoming opportunities and events more broadly through our newsletter, website, social media channels, and press and PR coverage — so it’s worth keeping an eye on these too, as they may highlight opportunities before they reach the direct-matching stage.
What is a Meet the Buyer event, and how do I get invited?
Meet the Buyer events bring registered suppliers face-to-face with main contractors looking for capability on live projects. They’re designed to maximise value for both sides, and follow a proven format:
- A main contractor requests an event, based on the work packages they currently have coming up.
- The Somerset Supply Chain team reviews registered businesses whose capabilities match the contractor’s requirements.
- Matched suppliers are invited to attend.
There’s a rolling programme of these events, updated as new work packages are identified across all Somerset Supply Chain projects. Because invitations go out by email, keeping your registration details — and your inbox’s junk/spam settings — up to date is the best way to make sure you don’t miss one.
I'm a small business — what size of work is realistic for me?
The range of opportunities is considerable — work packages span from very small to very significant, across a wide spread of business activity. That’s exactly why businesses of every size are encouraged to register, not just those who could take on a multi-million-pound contract alone.
If a specific work package is bigger than your business could handle on its own, collaborating with other local companies is a proven route in. This approach has worked successfully many times already across Somerset Supply Chain projects, and the team can help put you in touch with other registered businesses to explore a joint bid.
Work package workshops are run where specific requirements and collaboration opportunities are highlighted directly — these are a good way to understand what’s coming up and find potential partners before a tender is even issued. Keep your eyes peeled for news and events across the Somerset Supply Chain channels including newsletters, email, social media and press to catch these sessions early.
I've registered — how do I log in / update my details??
To review or update your registration, log in to your account at any time — you can add capabilities, accreditations, and any other details as you collect them or if your business changes.
If you’ve forgotten your password, select “Forgotten password” on the login page and follow the prompts to recover your account. If you’re still unable to reset it, contact the Somerset Supply Chain team at Somerset Chamber of Commerce:
I registered a while ago and haven't heard anything — why?
This is common and isn’t usually a sign anything’s wrong. Construction projects move through many different phases and your capabilities may simply be relevant to work packages that haven’t been released yet. Don’t be discouraged by a quiet period – it can just be a case of waiting for the right requirement to come up.
A few things worth checking in the meantime:
- Your contact details are correct and current — log in to check, particularly your email address.
- Check your junk/spam folder — invitations and updates are sent by email, so it’s worth making sure they’re not being filtered out.
- Stay proactive — attending events and workshops, and networking with others involved in the supply chain, keeps your business visible in the meantime rather than relying on registration alone.
If you’d like to discuss your registration directly, contact the Somerset Supply Chain team — details on our Contact page.
Still have a question?
The Somerset Supply Chain Team, delivered by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, can help with any query.
Email
supplychain@somerset-chamber.co.uk
Telephone
01823 444924
Not registered?
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