The huge response to the invitation to prequalify has vindicated the organiser’s decision to tailor work packages to allow smaller trade contractors into the huge four-year improvement programme.

Efficiency North, which is organising bidding for the framework, said substantial numbers of trade contractors responded to the invitation to prequalify for the £800m repairs and maintenance framework.

Seven landlords from the region have signed up to the E N Procure Elemental Works Framework in a bid to drive down costs and make big savings on maintenance costs.

A shortlist of 230 firms have now submitted detailed tenders for the 38 packages up for grabs.

Following the second stage tender evaluation process the framework will be available from August to the seven housing bodies.

Lee Parkinson, chief executive of Efficiency North, said: “The level of interest from local and regional SMEs has exceeded our expectations in this the first key gateway stage.

“We are pleased that our efforts to ensure that the entire market spectrum was engaged have been effective and we look forward to developing a competitive and high performance elemental works framework which can be accessed by the region’s public sector bodies.”