We are delighted to have been awarded the main construction contract for the City Learning Quarter in Wolverhampton City Centre.
The City of Wolverhampton Council development – supported by Government funding – will establish new educational facilities for City of Wolverhampton College, Adult Education Wolverhampton and Central Library. Benefitting skills and employment outcomes for residents across the city and wider region.
We were awarded preferred construction partner earlier this year. Under a pre-construction agreement, we have progressed final design works with the Council and the College.
We also undertook site preparation, service diversion and infrastructure works to prepare for main construction to begin.
The main construction contract paves the way for site mobilisation around the end of the year. With the aim that the scheme is completed by September 2025.
The City Learning Quarter city centre facility will be situated around the Old Hall Street and St George’s Parade area. The scheme also incorporates a site on the corner of Garrick Street and Bilston Street where the former Faces nightclub building once stood.
It will pave the way for City of Wolverhampton College to move from its out-dated Paget Road site, which has been identified as land to build much-needed housing.
After successfully completing our collaboration with the council on the design and preparatory works, we are delighted to be commencing works as the main contractor on Wolverhampton City Learning Quarter in the coming weeks. The project, which is being delivered under the Crown Commercial Service CWAS RM6088 Framework, will benefit the area of Wolverhampton with a state-of-the art learning facility. We will be undertaking initial enabling works such as utility diversions, welfare construction and hoarding installation in advance of demolition and piling commencing in the new year.
Shane Greer
Senior Project Manager at McLaughlin & Harvey
The City Learning Quarter is a game-changing scheme for Wolverhampton. A lot of hard work has been put in by council and college representatives, supported by our local MP Stuart Anderson and the West Midlands Combined Authority, to secure vital funding and get us to the point where we can make our vision a reality. The City Learning Quarter will have a visible and tangible impact on the City of Wolverhampton and its residents, making a massive difference to everyday life through direct investment in skills and education. We are working hard with City of Wolverhampton College to ensure we not only deliver a vibrant education hub where we improve the city’s learning, apprenticeship and employment offers, but also that we retain our best talent, rather than losing people to different parts of the region. The new facilities will provide a vital facelift to our city centre and will be an inspirational environment for people to learn in, also offering excellent connectivity to rail, bus, tram and cycle. We will be creating an environment where everyone can flourish and it demonstrates the commitment this city has to investing in its citizens.
Cllr Stephen Simkins
Leader of City of Wolverhampton Council
This marks a significant milestone in making our City Learning Quarter vision a reality. The city centre campus will transform our student experience and make a tangible impact on the City of Wolverhampton, offering first class facilities in key areas of employment to the thousands of people set to walk through its doors.
Mal Cowgill
Principal and CEO at the City of Wolverhampton College
I am absolutely delighted by this announcement. The City Learning Quarter project will be a lasting legacy, changing the lives of the youth in Wolverhampton. I’m immensely proud to have played a part in securing £20 million of Levelling Up funding for this transformational endeavour, which will bring hope, opportunity, and a brighter future to our city.
Stuart Anderson
MP for Wolverhampton South West
The exciting proposals were initially supported by investment from the council. With further funding coming through a combination of £5million from the Towns Fund, as well as £20million from the Levelling Up Fund, and £22million from the Department for Education. In addition to additional government grants and contributions from the college and council.
Its central location and close proximity to the new £150 million transport interchange will make it easily accessible. It will also boast environmental benefits in line with council’s climate emergency agenda.
