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Good Times Ahead

Wellingborough Campus Virtual Map

Good times are ahead for Wellingborough as work is on schedule for the newly refurbished town centre college to open in September to 1,000 students and staff.

The long-awaited shiny refit of the tower block, part of a £10 million project, can now be seen far and wide – and includes the Tresham College signage. Smart new landscaping of the frontage at the building will made possible with the support of the council.

Tresham College Wellingborough Campus redevelopment

Officially declaring the cladding work complete, which has given the building a 21stcentury look, was Cllr Martin Griffiths Leader of the Borough Council of Wellingborough. He said:

“This is amazing news for the local area on so many levels – opportunities for young people, future growth across north Northamptonshire, the local economy and jobs, lifelong learning, and of course for Tresham College as part of The Bedford College Group. It also gives a clear message that Wellingborough’s doors are open as we continue to grow and prosper.”

Cllr Martin Griffiths represents North Northamptonshire on the board of SEMLEP* which added £7.5 Million from the Local Growth Fund skills capital investment programme to the project. Joining him at the event was Lucinda Young, Programme Contracts Manager of SEMLEP (Photo)

Lucinda Young, from SEMLEP added “This is all about providing good quality facilities for people to come to learn and enjoy. We are working to tackle a big skills agenda for our area and The Bedford College Group has an important role in upskilling and re-skilling our workforces and young people about to enter the world of work.”

The Church Street campus, has been partially open throughout but ONLY for motor vehicle students. It will now see the reintroduction of full-time courses including, carpentry, plumbing, business, brickwork, electrical as well as access to Higher Education, early years and health & social care, and IT and computing. Part-time courses in accountancy, counselling, preparing to teach (PTLLS) English and maths, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), HR (CIPD) and management and leadership (CMI) will also be available in the new-look campus.

Open events will be held in the summer to welcome people into see the lower floors and sign up for courses in September.

The Wellingborough campus is part of Tresham College which merged with Bedford College to form The Bedford College Group in 2017. The Group was awarded £7.5million from SEMLEP following an application for funding through the Local Growth Fund.

College Group CEO Ian Pryce CBE laid the first cladding panel late last year with Project Manager, Mark Eustace. Said Ian:

We have added to the generous SEMLEP grant to complete this £10m investment in new facilities and courses which will be a tremendous lift for education in Wellingborough and the wider region. Further, it will be a great boost for the town centre to have this influx of new customers of all ages.

“We are grateful to the Borough Council of Wellingborough and its members and officers for all their help and support in this interim period.

Project Manager Mark Eustace added: “We have improved taken an old building, recycled 150 tonnes of materials and at the peak had 70 working on site. We have given the site an extended life of 50 years which will be great asset to the local community.”

In addition to the external cladding, internal works have been extensive including fitting a mezzanine floor in a main hall area. There will be car parking on site for 90 vehicles, including electric charging points, but the nearby bus stop and town centre location will make it an easy destination for students and staff near and far.

The next information event is being held on Tuesday 31st March at the Tithe Barn, Wellingborough from 5pm to 7.30pm where visitors can view plans of the new look campus and find our more about the courses being offered in the town from September 2020. More information can be found by visiting www.bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk

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