Graham Construction, Kier and Willmott Dixon are among the panel of firms expected to share a programme of work worth up to £175m.

The announcement comes after Manchester University has struggled to agree prices on planned major contracts with its trio of preferred contractors – Balfour Beatty, Laing O’Rourke and Sir Robert McAlpine – for major jobs worth over £10m.

The University is planning an ambitious programme of over £1bn of improvements to its main campus over the next 6 years.

Selected contractors will undertake various types of construction works at the University including, demolition, new build, refurbishment, decoration and landscaping.