Bam set to bag £120m of work

Bam Construct has been tipped for bumper contract wins in Scotland and Manchester worth a combined £120m.

The contract wins would be a major boost for the firm, particularly as they are in regions where construction activity is currently low.

The company is understood to be preferred bidder on a £62m design-and-build contract for two secondary schools being procured by East Renfrewshire council.

The contract is under the Scottish Futures Trust Pathfinder programme, and if signed will see Bam build one school in the Midlothian district and another in East Renfrewshire. Enabling works are earmarked to commence next month with on-site construction scheduled to start in October. The project is scheduled to last about two years, with the schools due to open in time for the 2013/14 school year.

In addition, Bam is expected to land the £55m One St Peter’s Square job in Manchester ahead of other shortlisted bids from Carillion and Kier, according to a senior source close to the contract.

“A final decision is yet to be made. However, Bam Construct’s submission appears to be the leading bid at this stage in the process,” said the source.

The development involves a Glenn Howells-designed 275,000ft2 mixed-use scheme including offices, retail outlets and a cultural space along with a new art gallery.

Work is set to commence later this year with completion scheduled for autumn 2014. The client on the project is a joint venture between developer Argent and Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund.

The project’s development manager James Nicholson said a decision on a contractor had not yet been made.