Principal contractor Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd, working in collaboration with Swansea Council, wants to maximise the use of local and regional expertise.

There are 30 work packages available, with a total value of more than £23 million. The value of the individual work packages starts from £10,000.

They include:

A full breakdown of these and the individual smaller work packages will be available at a free-entry meet-the-buyer event for businesses.

The event is being held by Buckingham Group and the council in collaboration with Welsh Government service Business Wales, CITB (the Construction Industry Training Board) and the Swansea Bay City Deal.

It is due to take place at the Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC), University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) in Swansea's SA1 district on March 11 from 9am to 1pm.

The format will be one-to-one pre-arranged meetings, which can be booked in advance through Business Wales at www.bit.ly/MTBmarch11

The event is for contractors able to bid specifically for the packages advertised.

Swansea Central Phase One will bring a 3,500-capacity indoor arena, coastal park, landmark bridge, car parking, homes and commercial premises to a key city centre site.

It is being driven and funded by the council. The £1.3 billion Swansea Bay City Deal is part funding the arena, while the Welsh Government's Active Travel Fund is part funding the bridge.



Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader and Chairman of the Swansea Bay City Deal's Joint Committee, said: "We promised to deliver opportunities for local firms through this transformational scheme, and that's just what we're doing.

"Welsh businesses are already finding work on this world class regeneration project, so I'd urge other business to attend this meet-the-buyer event.

"Buckingham Group are expected to give every possible opportunity to Welsh firms. Similar opportunities for local and regional business will form part of all City Deal projects coming forward in the near future."

Howard Jacobson, Growth Adviser at Business Wales, said: "This meet the buyer event is a prime opportunity for Welsh contractors to gain more insight into the appropriate packages before bidding for the transformational scheme.

"Business Wales are delighted to be able to support any businesses wishing to tender through our fully funded support and workshops."

The arena is one feature of the Swansea City and Waterfront Digital District project being part-funded by the City Deal. Other elements include a digital village for tech businesses on Kingsway in Swansea city centre, and a box village and innovation precinct development for start-up businesses at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David SA1.