Willmott Dixon has been asked to price the job and work with consultants to develop the design for the Worcester Arena, which will be located at the former town fruit market.

Subject to planning permission being granted and funding being secured, construction work has been penciled in to start as early as next April.

The project is the first of a programme of investment by the university under a new framework agreement reacently signed with Morgan Sindall, Leadbitter and Willmott Dixon.

The steel framed arena building will be raised above the ground as a precaution against river flooding. The new 57,000 sq ft arena will be capable of hosting major indoor sports events with retractable seating for up to 1,850 people.

The arena has been designed by Gloucester-based architect Roberts Limbrick, and is being developed by the University of Worcester.

Twelve courts will provide facilities for a full range of indoor sports, with special emphasis on international level basketball.

Professor David Green, vice-chancellor at the University of Worcester, said: “The introduction of this arena will provide a first class facility for sports lovers in the city and region. It will attract a great range of top-class national and international events to the city, particularly in disability sport.”

It will include sports treatment and first aid rooms, teaching and coaching spaces, a café, media and hospitality suites and other support facilities.

The university said it was now engaged in a “vigorous fundraising campaign” to fund the £10m site.