BAM Construction has handed out almost £150m worth of contracts to North West firms on its Manchester arena job
Following extensive enabling works since the beginning of the year, construction of the Manchester arena job has started this week, kick-starting a wave of economic activity and job creation across Greater Manchester.
Co-op Live is being built by BAM Construction, which has revealed that almost £150m of the construction orders have already been placed with local firms.
Developer OVG is investing over £350m to create one of the most sustainable live entertainment arenas in Europe.
At its peak, Co-op Live’s construction site will see some 400 people working on it daily.
BAM estimates that more than 2,000 people will work on the site over its three-year construction phase, comprising the majority of the 3,350 total jobs the project will support from now to 2023.
OVG has forecast that Co-op Live will create a further 1,000 jobs when operational.
The team behind Co-op Live are committed to local procurement, and a range of businesses across Greater Manchester and the wider North West region are being used to help create the venue.
9,000 tons of steelwork will be provided from a depot in Bolton, while a large order for mechanical and electrical works has been placed with a firm based on Altrincham Road in Manchester, SES. The striking façade and roof are being delivered by a firm in Cheadle.
Other services that will be provided by local companies include concrete, grouting, and lifts, plus smaller contracts for hoardings, welfare, catering, and security.
‘Helping support local jobs’
Tim Leiweke, chief executive of OVG, said: “The beginning of the construction of Co-op Live is an exciting step in our plans to deliver one of Europe’s best and most sustainable arenas for Manchester.
“Co-op Live is an arena by Manchester, for Manchester, and of Manchester. Since revealing our plans last year, we have remained committed to maximising the benefits it brings to the city and the whole North West.
“Today’s milestone of £150m in orders for local firms is a proud moment for the project and will help support local jobs and ensure the positive impact of our investment is being felt already.”
Robert Doherty, operations director for SES (Engineering Services) strategic projects, commented: “As a local contractor our team mainly live and work in and around Manchester and this project has a real buzz about it.
“It has got everyone here excited and it is terrific for us to be involved.
“We are engaging with our own supply chain ensuring that packages are delivered by companies from the Manchester area.
“We will have over 100 people working on this project, creating opportunities for local people to be involved.”
Ian Fleming, regional director at BAM Construction, added: “The highly digital way we work allows us to achieve the sustainability demanded by the most ambitious clients in the world and it attracts young entrants to our profession like Arooj Ali.
“Working smarter means working safer for those 2000 people that will cross our boundary and using technology and techniques like offsite manufacturing.
“We rely on the quality of our supply chain here in the North West and how well we work with them to integrate all these elements together.
“Greater Manchester has got the talent and resources we need, and it means BAM’s work here for this northern landmark will boost the local economy and bring big social benefits for people living here, all of which is a source of great pride to me.”
