The evening session on Thursday 16 May, 5.30–8pm, will be hosted in the aquarium’s auditorium by Aberdeenshire Council’s economic development service with the aim of raising awareness of the significant redesign and extension of the popular tourist attraction and wider Levelling Up projects among local suppliers.

The aquarium development along with the creation of a new Museum of Aberdeenshire and library in Peterhead has received £20 million in financial support from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund. Works at Macduff are expected to start in the autumn.

Aberdeenshire Council is committed to ensuring businesses and communities can benefit from public and private sector investments and the Macduff event will showcase the range of opportunities which will soon become available to them.

In addition, officers will be promoting and explaining the background to the council’s minor works and reactive repair frameworks which will be procured shortly.

The free event will also offer an opportunity for suppliers to learn about the procurement process, skills development opportunities, recruitment and the energy transition.

A number of partner agencies will also be in attendance including the Federation of Small Businesses, the Developing the Young Workforce team and Enterprising Aberdeenshire.

Procurement development officer Julie Maclean explained: “This will be an important and informative event which will allow us to engage with an array of local suppliers from across the sector and demonstrate what contracts will be required to fulfil this tremendous project.

“We appreciate there is always a strong desire for local businesses to be considered for works across Aberdeenshire and this type of events will help showcase what will be required throughout the aquarium development – be that through the supply of materials, goods or services.”

More information and registration is available by clicking here. Queries about the event can be directed by email to econdevpd@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or by calling Julie Maclean on 0447425127107.