Aberdeen-based companies are set to benefit from an additional £4 million new business boost through a range of contract opportunities available during the construction phase of the £107 million Marischal Square city centre regeneration project.

The new contracts, which will take effect from January next year, follow an earlier spend of £11 million with local business on the project.

More than 50 local businesses are in discussion with Marischal Square construction and infrastructure contractor, Morgan Sindall, to provide a range of new services for the development, including the supply of joinery, flooring, tiling, scaffolding and cleaning services during the 116-week construction programme.

There are a total of 21 work packages currently available for the development and more than 60 local representatives of the firms involved have been in face-to-face discussions with the Morgan Sindall team at a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event to gain additional information around the opportunities available.

The transformational Marischal Square development is led by Muse Developments, Aberdeen City Council and Aviva Investors and Muse Regional Director for Scotland, Steve Turner, said the move was a ‘win-win’ situation for all involved.

“The ambition from day one was to make Marischal Square work for all involved and deliver a transformational development which would provide significant employment and business opportunities for this vital city centre area,” he added.

“By talking to local businesses first, they too can share in the investment we are making in Marischal Square and if that helps sustain or create new jobs in the process then the development will already be making a positive impact on the economy in Aberdeen.

“We believe the mix of Grade ‘A’ office space, bar/restaurant facilities and the greatly improved environment around Provost Skene’s House will be in the right place at the right time to deliver opportunities for the city and we are delighted to have local companies help us make that happen.”

Marischal Square will open in the summer of 2017 and Aberdeen City Council Leader, Councillor Jenny Laing, welcomed the opportunity for more Aberdeen-based businesses to get involved in the project.

Councillor Laing said: “This is great news for businesses in Aberdeen during what has undoubtedly been a challenging period for the local economy and is another good example of the positive impact of this £107million development on the city.

“To have local firms involved during the construction phase highlights the fact that this project will bring short-term economic benefits while also providing much-needed high quality office, hotel and restaurant space and aiding the regeneration of the city centre in the longer term.

“Marischal Square is an important part of our City Centre Masterplan, which aims to transform the heart of the city and ensure Aberdeen remains an attractive place in which to live, work and invest.”

The 116-week Marischal Square construction programme began on site in April and Mark McBride, Area Director for Morgan Sindall added:  “A key tenet of our overarching sustainability strategy is procurement that supports local economic growth.   We are delighted to already be supporting so many Aberdeen-based companies through the Marischal Square project and will continue to do so, building on the earlier ‘Meet the Buyer Event’ success. ”

Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Bob Collier, also welcomed the new opportunities available.

“The regeneration of Aberdeen city centre as a result of delivering the City Centre Masterplan will create commercial opportunities for North-east businesses over the next few decades,” he said. 

“Members of the Chamber will welcome these and other opportunities.”

Marischal Square which is fully funded by Aviva Investors will deliver: