The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) is working with the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) to promote a positive message about the business opportunities that the Green Deal can offer to merchants and their trade customers.

Brett Amphlett, BMF policy manager, is speaking at a series of DECC-hosted breakfast briefings to explain the implications for the supply chain and how SMEs fit into this new market. He is using the opportunity to reassure the hundreds of SMEs present, who fear that big conglomerates will target consumers with offers that cut them out of the equation. His core message is that being a Green Deal Provider may not be as scary as it looks

Mr Amphlett said: "The Government says it wants as many as possible to participate in the Green Deal. But for most SMEs the idea of becoming a Green Deal Provider is simply unfeasible. Many are grappling with whether, or not, to become authorised assessors and/or installers, let alone a Green Deal Provider."

The BMF believes that its members must be able to become Green Deal Providers in their own right if they wish. In addition to the DECC briefings, BMF is explaining the requirements and implications of becoming a Green Deal Provider to merchants so they are ready to take advantage of the initiative.

It doesn't matter if SMEs are not ready to compete from 1 October, says the BMF. It believes that there will be a learning curve for big national names as well as SMEs. Smaller players, like merchants, who take the time to study the market as it evolves during the first six months, will be in a far better position to enter with a proposition that appeals to consumers, the BMF argues.

Brett Amphlett added: "SMEs must play to their strengths. They are often in direct contact with property owners, which means they are handily placed to advise customers about what work could be appropriate when they modify, renovate buy or sell property: the so-called trigger points for Green Deal work."