A JOBS bonanza could be unleashed in the Selby area with the building of a new community hospital and council offices.

Local businesses are being invited to a unique one-on-one session with the firm constructing the building – which has been entitled Selby Community Project. The firm will explain exactly what it requires from the companies eventually contracted to provide services.

In all, about 1,200 jobs will be created both during the construction and when the building is complete.

Now, local construction trades, alongside support services such as security, catering and cleaning, are being offered the chance to get a slice of the action. They are being invited to a special Meet The Buyer event taking place at the Civic Centre in February.

The aim of the event is to give local businesses a chance to meet the company in overall charge of the building programme, BAM Construction, to see whether they meet the necessary criteria to be eligible to apply for contracts to deliver elements of the scheme.

The firm will use the event to talk to companies about issues such as health and safety and quality requirements for those applying for supplier contracts.

Janet Probert, the managing director of NHS North Yorkshire and York’s Community and Mental Health Services, said the event would be of use to both sides.

She said: “Meet The Buyer is about building up a relationship with local suppliers and companies – what’s out there, how can we support the area’s businesses so they can benefit from this construction project?”

Geoff Gordon, who heads the Selby Chamber of Commerce and has been involved in inviting companies to the event, said: “Building up a good relationship is the basis of good business and this event gives companies a chance to meet those in charge of the scheme informally to find out more about the wealth of opportunities available.”

Invitations to the event have already been sent to a range of local and regional businesses via chambers of commerce and trade, but others are also invited to attend.