Five major construction firms have expressed an interest in becoming the lead contractor for Bristol’s long-awaited arena.
The firms – BAM Construction, Bouygues UK, Sir Robert McAlpine, Laing O’Rourke and Buckingham Group Contracting – were invited to a bidders’ day and site visit on Monday to find out more about Bristol City Council’s tender process for the landmark 12,000-capacity building. 
As well as visiting the site, potential bidders were given an update on project progress and details about the invitation to tender procurement process as well as being able to ask questions.
Bids must be submitted by December 18 with a decision on the winning contractor expected next February.
Already working on the project are international arena design team Populous together with architects Feilden Clegg Bradley and engineering firm BuroHappold – both based in Bath – which have developed plans for the innovative and flexible arena.
Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson said: “This is the next key milestone in the arena programme and takes us one step closer to delivery.
“Bristol has waited over 20 years for an arena which will at long last play a key part in the regeneration of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone and will make a vitally important contribution to the local economy. For the winning contractor it will be great opportunity to work with us to help shape the face of our increasingly vibrant city.”
The pre-planning public consultation process has recently closed and two planning applications are due to be submitted shortly. One detailed application is for the arena venue and access, and the other is an outline application for the future development of housing, business and leisure uses adjacent to the venue.
Statutory consultation will take place once the planning documents have been submitted. The plans are designed to make Arena Island a vibrant place and busy throughout the week, transforming a derelict part of the city.
