Gloucestershire is moving to a single unitary council in 2028. For local businesses, that could mean significant changes to public procurement – and new opportunities for SMEs.
The biggest change to local government in Gloucestershire for decades is underway. In July 2026, the Government confirmed that Gloucestershire will move to a single unitary council, replacing the county council, six district and borough councils, and Gloucester City Council. The new authority is expected to take responsibility for services from 1 April 2028.
For Gloucestershire businesses, this isn’t simply an administrative or name change. Local government reorganisation (LGR) could reshape how public money is commissioned and spent across the county, meaning SMEs should be thinking now about where they could fit into the new landscape.
What could the new council mean for procurement?
One unitary council will have a much larger procurement footprint, potentially creating county-wide opportunities across construction, professional services, technology, facilities, environmental services, transport, care and more. Larger contracts could make some opportunities harder for smaller businesses to access directly, but the Procurement Act 2023 put greater emphasis on improving access to public procurement for SMEs. Taking this into account, this could mean there will be more opportunities for businesses to:
- bid for smaller lots or packages;
- join frameworks and other purchasing arrangements;
- supply larger contractors;
- collaborate with other SMEs;
- provide specialist services within larger contracts.
For Gloucestershire businesses, the opportunity is not necessarily to win the biggest contract, but to find and secure your place in the wider supply chain.
Social value: an opportunity for local businesses
Contrary to popular belief, procurement isn’t just about price. Social value considers the wider economic, social, and environmental benefits generated through public contracts including things like local employment, apprenticeships, training, community support, and environmental improvements. All things that could play to the strengths of Gloucestershire SMEs. If your business employs locally, supports apprentices, buys from other Gloucestershire businesses, provides volunteering or contributes to community projects, these activities can demonstrate the wider value you bring as a supplier. The important thing is to start recording that impact now, rather than trying to develop a social value offer when a tender arrives in your inbox.
Five things your business can do now
- Get procurement ready
Make sure your policies, insurance, accreditations, case studies, and references are up to date. - Know your proposition
Be clear about the problem you solve, the services you provide, and the value you bring. - Measure your social value
Start recording local jobs, apprenticeships, training, community activity, environmental improvements, and local supply-chain spending. If nothing exists, start investing in and developing what social value looks like in your business. - Look beyond direct contracts
Think about subcontracting, partnerships and opportunities within larger supply chains. You don’t always have to go it alone! - Build relationships now
Connect with other businesses, understand what larger suppliers need, and engage with market opportunities as they emerge. A Together Gloucestershire membership and our Meet the Buyer events are a good place to start.
Why Together Gloucestershire matters
We know that change on this scale creates uncertainty, but it also creates an opportunity for Gloucestershire’s business community to work – and win – together. At Together Gloucestershire, we’re focused on connecting businesses, strengthening relationships, and helping create a more collaborative and resilient local economy.
As the new unitary council takes shape, those connections will matter more than ever. A business that can’t deliver a large contract alone may be exactly the partner another business needs. A specialist SME could become an important part of a major supplier’s local supply chain. And businesses that can demonstrate genuine local economic, social, and environmental impact may be well placed to respond to changing procurement priorities.
So, our message is simple – don’t wait until 2028; start getting ready now. We will continue to bring businesses together, share relevant information, and create opportunities to connect as the new local government landscape develops.
Want to be part of a stronger Gloucestershire business community? Join Together Gloucestershire and connect with businesses across the county.
Become a Member