Manchester's new Co-op Live arena has announced it is set to create 1,000 more jobs once fully operational - as construction starts on the 23,500-seater venue.
The new £350m site, set to be the UK's biggest entertainment arena, is hoped to "kickstart" a wave of economic activity and job creation across the region.
The project is being built by Salford-based BAM, which has revealed that almost £150m of the construction orders have already been placed with local firms.
OVG, the developer, said that at its peak, Co-op Live’s construction site will see 400 people working on it daily.
BAM estimated 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 now forecast that Co-op Live will create a further 1,000 jobs when operational.
The news comes after it was announced global pop star Harry Styles was investing in the venue, which will be built next to the Etihad Stadium.
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.”
According to BAM, 9,000 tons of steelwork will be provided from a depot in Bolton, while a huge order for mechanical and electrical works has been placed with a firm based on Altrincham Road in Manchester, SES.
The 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.
An apprenticeships programme is also set to be announced as the construction programme accelerates.
Robert Doherty, operations director for SES - engineering services and strategic projects, which is delivering the full mechanical and electrical works for the scheme said: “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.”
Work has started, with millions of pounds of bulk excavation and remediation work underway that will provide work for the region’s hauliers and plant companies.
Ian Fleming, the Director of BAM Construction in the North West, 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 off-site 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.”
