The new Grayson Place Campus of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) in Nuneaton has reached a major milestone, with the keys to the state-of-the-art building now handed over.
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, which has been leading on the project has agreed a lease for the three-storey campus and is delighted to welcome NWSLC to the flagship regeneration project rejuvenating Nuneaton Town Centre.
This marks an exciting step towards welcoming learners through its doors from Monday, 21 September.
Cllr Jake Groves, Portfolio Holder for Town Centre Regeneration and Business Development said:
“The signing of this lease means we can now look forward to welcoming students into this modern facility from next week. This is a very exciting moment for Nuneaton and another important milestone for Grayson Place.”
Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive at NWSLC, said:
“Receiving the keys to NWSLC Grayson Place is a hugely exciting milestone and brings us another step closer to welcoming learners and the wider community into this fantastic new campus.”
The new campus forms the cornerstone of the emerging Grayson Place development and is part of the wider regeneration of Abbey Street.
NWSLC Grayson Place, home to the College’s award-winning restaurant, Grayson’s, Digital Innovation Hub and Adult and Higher Education Centre, will welcome full-time students, apprentices, adult and higher education learners returning to education, and those wishing to re-engage in education and explore careers.
The College is planning to deliver more than 20 programmes at the campus, including courses in hospitality and catering, digital, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), workshop and hobby courses for adults, and professional qualifications.
The cutting-edge facilities at the new campus are set to act as a “catalyst” for new opportunities for young people, adult learners and the wider community.
Cllr Groves added:
“This is exactly what regeneration should be about – creating opportunities, supporting education and providing more attractions to bring footfall into our town centre.
“The Digital Skills and Innovation Centre will play an important role in developing the Borough’s future skills base.”
Designed to meet the evolving needs of the community and region, NWSLC Grayson Place will also include an arts and crafts studio, 25-seat teaching spaces adaptable for conference-style or workshop-based learning and designated public access areas aimed at encouraging wider community engagement through hospitality and retail experiences.
Over the next 10 years, the centre will educate 2,600 students, support 290 start-ups and deliver £13.4m worth of value to the local economy.
Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive at NWSLC, said:
“Grayson Place represents an important investment in education and skills in Nuneaton and the surrounding areas. It has been designed to be flexible so that our provision can adapt to meet the changing needs of the area and respond to future employment and career opportunities.
“The Digital Innovation Hub in particular reflects the evolving digital landscape and is set to be the first choice for those looking to upskill or develop their digital knowledge and capabilities.
“Most importantly, NWSLC Grayson Place will be an inclusive and welcoming campus – a place where learners of all ages can thrive, develop their skills and explore new opportunities.”
Further updates about the progress of NWSLC Grayson Place will be posted on the College website in the coming months.