Contractor Wates Construction has completed work on a new campus at Nottingham College.

The Nottingham College City Hub provides space for 2,000 students and 200 staff, offering local people a state-of-the-art learning experience and future employment opportunities.

The £58.5 million campus will welcome students and be fully operational from January, however this week marks the handover of the building from Wates to the College. It complements the College's existing campus portfolio and forms part of a Council-run scheme to regenerate this area and boost the city's economy.

Nottingham College City Hub is the first project completed in the region by Wates through Major Works UK, part of the Scape National Construction framework, and is the result of a partnership between Nottingham College, Nottingham City Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The new campus will offer a broad curriculum for the College including performance, media and business, complete with amenities for the community to enjoy including a restaurant, café and performing arts centre.

Wates Construction has created a host of employment and training opportunities of young people as well as supporting the city's business and charitable organisations.

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Since starting work onsite in mid-2018, Wates has worked with 10 social enterprises, including Recycling Lives, Nuneaton Signs Ltd and Radiant Cleaners Ltd, and ensured that 60 per cent of project budget was spent within 40 miles of the site. 60 per cent of the supply chain were local SMEs and 143 new jobs have been created.

Carole Thorogood, Chair of Governors at Nottingham College, said: "I am delighted to take possession of the City Hub on behalf of Nottingham College and I would like to thank all of those who have worked so hard to make this day happen in such difficult times.

"The building is spectacular both inside and out and I know that staff and students can’t wait to start using it. This is a major investment in education and skills in Nottingham by the College, the Local Enterprise Partnership and the City Council. These state-of-the-art teaching facilities will inspire generations of students and equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to meet the needs of local, national and international employers helping them and their City to thrive.

"The full economic impact of the coronavirus is still to be felt. But education and this college will be vital to rebuilding the economy and people’s livelihoods by providing excellence in education and a route to exceptional opportunities for the City and its people."

John Carlin, Wates Construction Midlands MD added that the project had brought about a huge amount of learning and development opportunities for young people in the area:

He said: "This has been such a memorable project for us in large part due to the positive impact it’s left on the city’s stars of tomorrow. We’ve been proud to provide permanent jobs to four school leavers, including two graduates from Nottingham College, created 29 apprenticeships and carried out 65 educational visits, as well as delivering 18 lectures on the Built Environment at the College itself.

"Thanks to the hard work of Project Director Adam Cannon and his team we’re thrilled with the end result and can't want to see students experience the new campus in the New Year."