Construction firm BAM will host a supply chain event next week to meet local contractors who want to work on Huddersfield’s £210 million Our Cultural Heart.
Work is due to start this summer on a regeneration scheme which will transform the town centre.
The Supply Chain Launch Event, to be held at Cathedral House on Wednesday March 6 (8.30am-12noon), is aimed at any new and existing construction-related businesses within Kirklees who may be interested in working on the project.
BAM is one of the UK’s leading construction firms and has been selected by Kirklees Council as the preferred principal contractor for Phase One of Our Cultural Heart.
Enabling works on site are set to get underway on March 11, with the main construction work to follow in the summer.
This first phase of the masterplan will concentrate on the major refurbishment of the historic former Queensgate Market building, which will be converted into a vibrant new food hall with space for around ten independent food stalls.
A brand-new, community library will be incorporated within the existing east wing of the same building.
Both the food hall and new library will directly feed out to a new public square, with the connecting space perfectly suited to outdoor cultural events and gatherings.
BAM, which is also working on the new Daphne Steele Building at the University of Huddersfield, places a huge emphasis on social value within its projects and aims to create a positive economic impact in the locations in which it works.
Paul Cleminson, pre-construction director at BAM, said: “We are delighted to be working on Our Cultural Heart.
“We have already fostered some strong relationships within the borough through our ongoing work at the University of Huddersfield but we are looking to further expand our engagement with the construction supply chain here.
“As a business, we are keen to support the local economy and community wherever we can. We are inviting businesses to come and meet us, tell us about their business and potentially unlock opportunities to work together on Our Cultural Heart.”
Clr Graham Turner, Cabinet member for finance and regeneration, added: “We are incredibly excited that site work on Our Cultural Heart is soon to get underway. The scheme is going to deliver some fantastic long-term benefits for Huddersfield and the wider borough of Kirklees.
“We understand construction in the town centre will mean a certain level of disruption for the public and our local businesses.
“However, alongside our project partners, we are working very closely with BAM to ensure these disruptions are minimised as much as possible, ensuring the town centre can continue to function efficiently.
“The construction process itself will also deliver lots of benefits in the here and now. One of the deciding factors when we were selecting the construction firm for the scheme was BAM’s strong commitment to making a tangible impact here in Huddersfield.
“They share our vision and ambition to use this scheme as a vehicle for creating jobs, getting young people into work and further supporting our local communities.”
To register for the Supply Chain Launch Event please contact email northern.supplychain@bam.com.
