Lancashire County Council – Meet the Buyer Drop in Event

Reserve your place by selecting the 'Book Event' button below!

Lancashire County Council (LCC) invites all its suppliers including SMEs, social enterprises, local businesses, and community organisations across Lancashire to join our “Meet the Buyer” events. This includes a live webinar and an in-person event focused on key themes and topics. It’s a great opportunity to speak directly with our LCC Procurement and Contract Management Team and to network with Lancashire partners, other local businesses and suppliers.

This exclusive event is designed to:

Promote procurement opportunities to local organisations.

Increase SME participation in council contracts.

Provide practical guidance on bidding for public sector work.

Work together to develop understanding, access and share insights

LCC will be offering local organisations the opportunity to attend our Meet the Buyer event at County Hall, Preston for a morning of presentations, discussions, shaped topic sharing and networking.  Representatives from LCC will include the Procurement and Contract Management Team, sector specific Procurement leads, Boost Business Lancashire, Lancashire County Council Trading Standards Service and the Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub…. alongside a range of external organisations including:

• Crown Commercial Service (CCS)
• East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
• North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
• Federation of Small Businesses,
• University of Lancashire Enterprise & Engagement Team,

This event provides an opportunity to hear from LCC and market building partners, alongside an opportunity for tailored support and direct engagement with the Procurement and Contract Management Team, enabling businesses to gain a clearer understanding of our processes and better position themselves for future opportunities. In addition, attendees will benefit from insights and guidance offered by key organisations across the market, all focused on supporting SMEs and VCSFEs in developing their work with the public sector.

 The event will run from 10:00 – 1.00pm with talks / presentations throughout the day (commencing at 10:00) and the opportunity to visit 'tables' for set discussion topics, or network with other organisations at the event.

Topics Covered:

LCC will be available to have individual discussions on a range of topics, focussing on:

Contracts Register & Contract Types – understanding how to interpret the contracts register and the different types of contracts available, future opportunities and where else notifications can be established.

Social Value Portal – understanding what social value means to LCC, how to use the system as part of the tender process and the activity requirements as part of contract management activity.

Use of Oracle System – how to find guidance and support to register, navigate and upload a tender on the portal.

Procurement Process & Documents – guidance on the LCC procurement process, the range of tender documents, and how to tailor your bid (generic – non tender specific).

Sector Specific Procurement Leads – an opportunity to provide insights or feedback and to discuss opportunities in specific sectors aligned to our procurement categories.

Presentations & Guest Speakers

Throughout the event*, attendees will have the opportunity to take part in a series of short presentations and talks delivered by invited guests from across the public, private and voluntary sectors. These sessions will offer practical insights, share examples of best practice, and provide expert guidance to help SMEs and VCSFEs strengthen their capability to engage with Lancashire County Council and thrive within public sector procurement.

* Agenda and timetable for the day will be sent in advance of the event.

Connect with Others

Alongside our Procurement and Contract Management Team, you’ll have the chance to meet representatives from other LCC services along with business support providers. They’ll be on hand to offer guidance, share insights, and help you explore opportunities to grow and strengthen your business. This is a networking opportunity where a range of organisations attending the event can meet, collaborate and share experiences.

It aligns with Lancashire County Council’s mission to support a thriving local economy, promote sustainable development, and ensure public spending delivers maximum value for communities. By connecting suppliers with buyers, the Council strengthens its commitment to fairness, accessibility, and the empowerment of Lancashire-based enterprises.

Why Attend?

Learn how LCC procurement works – connect directly with the procurement team at Lancashire County Council to understand how the procurement process works and what information is readily available.

Discover upcoming contract opportunities – develop an understanding of how to identify opportunities across a wide range of sectors including construction and assets, care and public health, corporate services and goods, digital and IT and more.

Understand how to use the platforms and understand the documents for procurement - gain insights into how to become a supplier to LCC, improving your ability to act on opportunities, and understand tender and procurement documents making future tendering opportunities more efficient.

Network with other local businesses, local small business associations, regional framework partners and build valuable partnerships.

Share opportunities and knowledge with LCC – allowing LCC to gain a better understanding of markets, ways of working, how we can be a more inclusive and open authority for suppliers to work with.  

Reserve your place by selecting the Book Event button below

We are also hosting a webinar

Please also see the information on the link below to attend our Meet the Buyer Webinar which will provide an opportunity to take part in an engaging online session where you will learn how to do business with LCC and have the opportunity to participate in live polls and Q&A.

Date: 31st March 2026
For further information click here

Future Event – Help Shape Lancashire & it's Commissioning Activity

Keep an eye on our events page for updates on our upcoming Annual LCC Summer Commissioning Conference taking place in July 2026. This event will be our flagship event of the year and will be an opportunity to share insights of your experiences and market knowledge, meet our commissioners, shape our future commissioning strategies and develop invaluable knowledge through collaboration.  The event will bring together LCC senior leadership, commissioners, local organisations, partners and more to set direction, share pipeline opportunities, gather insights to shape the future and launch our Supplier Charter.  This will be a one-off event, differing from the regular meet the buyer event schedule – please come along and participate. More details and registration information will be released soon – don’t miss your chance to get involved.

"Better outcomes start with better collaboration."

Restrictions & Caveats:

• The venue for the in-person event is on the fourth floor, a lift is available for access. However, should you have any other accessibility requirements please let us know via email at procurementcontractmanagement@lancashire.gov.uk where an alternative room or virtual session can be arranged.
• The drop in/networking event will be held within one room, with separate tables for each topic or organisation.
• Individual/live tender content cannot be discussed to ensure a fair and transparent procurement process in-line with the Procurement Act 2023. Generic tender process and document information can be discussed.
• LCC cannot support the upload of a live tender, only provide guidance on how to upload and where to find supportive information.