Bristol’s latest networking club launched this week with the hot topic of nuclear energy and the economic boost the yet-to-be-built Hinkley Point C reactor is already bringing to the area.
The Bristol Curry Club, which is aimed primarily at those working in property, finance and construction, attracted more than 50 guests to its debut event to hear Alan Hyde, EDF Energy, Nuclear New Build, senior communications manager, give an update on the massive Hinkley C project.
He ran through a list of ways that the 100-year project will impact on the region's economy including employing around 25,000 people to construct and run the reactor, which will supply enough power for 5m homes when fully operational.
“We are still in the foothills of this project but £80m of services have already been ordered,” he said.
Around £100m will go into the regional economy every year during the construction phase and £40m a year when it is fully operational. As a result there were plenty of opportunities for local firms to be involved in the supply chain, he said.
The Curry Club is run by Networking in the City, the nationwide lunchtime networking organisation that launched in Manchester in 1979.
The launch took place at the 4,500 Miles from Delhi restaurant on Colston Avenue.
The next meeting, on November 14, will hear from the entrepreneurial duo behind the pioneering Bristol Wavegarden surfing lake project.
Pencilled in for future meetings are speakers from Persimmon Homes, Moirai Capital Investments, which is redeveloping Swindon’s Oasis leisure centre into a national destination, Bristol Port, Bristol Airport, Cabot Circus and the Temple Quay Enterprise Zone.
Curry Clubs operate in 24 towns and cities across the UK. No membership is required – attendees simply register on the website ahead of the meeting.
Bristol Curry Club sponsors include Smith & Williamson, Sanderson Weatherall, Portal Tax and PC Express.
