Welsh businesses are being urged to bid for work on the £120m Swansea Central Phase One project.  Principal contractor Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd, working on behalf of Swansea Council, is committed to using local and regional expertise, and now is the time for prospective supply chain businesses to start engaging with them!

A meet-the-buyer event has been organised for Thursday 7th March at the Liberty Stadium, and you can click here to register. 

Skills needed will range from drainage to the supply of art works and from roof cladding to soft landscaping and habitat enhancement.  Full details will be available at a free-entry meet-the-buyer event for all business.

• Bird/ Vermin Control
• Vehicle Control/Counter Terrorism
• Bridge – Structure
• Waste Compactors
• Art Works
• Habitat Enhancements

This meet-the-buyer event is being held by Buckingham and the council in collaboration with Construction Futures Wales (CFW). 

The format will be one-to-one pre-arranged meetings; these can be booked in advance through CFW.  Those without an appointment can attend and discuss their aspirations with exhibitors who will include Buckingham and the council.

Swansea Central Phase One will bring a 3,500-capacity indoor arena, coastal park, plaza, landmark bridge, car parking, homes and commercial premises created on a key city centre site.  Over the next six months, Buckingham are undertaking pre-construction services including detailed design, costings and preparatory work on the expansive site next to Swansea’s well-known LC leisure centre.

Their early work will prepare the project and site for the main build phase due to start in late summer this year. The transformation is due to be completed in 2021.

Council leader Rob Stewart said:

“Welsh businesses will find work on this world-class regeneration project. I urge them to attend the meet-the-buyer event.  I expect Buckingham to give every possible opportunity to Welsh firms and I’ll be keeping a close eye on progress to ensure that this happens.”

Robert Francis-Davies, cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said:

“This project is all about bringing investment to Swansea and regenerating the city for generations to come.  A key part of that is to ensure that local business has a great opportunity to benefit.”

Kevin Underwood, managing director of Buckingham Group Contracting, said:

“We are greatly looking forward to working closely with Welsh businesses on this incredibly exciting scheme.  We’re confident of delivering high-quality work – and we’re looking for suppliers and partners who can match our demand for highest standards.”

Paul Wintle, of Construction Futures Wales, said:

“We want Welsh businesses to prosper and win new business; this meet-the-buyer event is a great opportunity to hear direct from a principal contractor eager to work with local enterprises.  The event will help increase the supply chain for multiple elements of Swansea Central Phase One. It’s a tremendously exciting opportunity.”

The importance of proactively ensuring in-region procurement can not be overstated, if we are to realise the long term economic uplift from major capital investment projects in the region.  The digital indoor arena and digital plaza elements of Swansea Central Phase One are due to be part-funded by the £1.3bn Swansea Bay City Deal as part of the Swansea City and Waterfront Digital District project.