The new D2N2-backed £58m building significantly changing the face of Nottingham city centre reached a pinnacle stage this week with a ‘topping out’ ceremony marking the construction of the City Hub reaching its uppermost point.
D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership was joined on site by staff and students from Nottingham College, as well as representatives from Wates Construction, and Nottingham City Council, as they ascended the building to its uppermost spot.
D2N2 is the private sector-led Partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary services representatives which promotes economic growth across the area of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
From the top of the City Hub attendees enjoyed the spectacular view of Nottingham’s skyline afforded by the new development, which strategically links the old and new in the area’s transforming cityscape.
The topping out milestone signals substantial progress in the construction programme, with the building’s structural frame now complete.
Work will now move on to the installation of glazed windows and doors and the commencement of mechanical and electrical works internally.
The number of operatives on site will also increase from 80 to 150 in the coming months as construction of the impressive civic building continues apace.
Some 2,000 students will use the new campus every year when it opens in September 2020, accessing modern facilities and resources across a range of curriculum areas.
The new development will also boast a performing arts centre and restaurant, as well as a business hub offering Grade A office accommodation.
Nottingham City Hub
John van de Laarschot, Nottingham College CEO said: “It is our aim to bring to Nottingham something truly special, something more than a traditional college campus and which is a unique space in which business and education co-exist to the benefit of both.”
“With the College’s plans for its other centres of excellence across the City, Nottingham College will be one of the biggest and best-resourced education and training institutions in the country. We’re confident that this new campus will benefit not just our students, who deserve a first-class learning environment, but also local businesses and the wider community.”
Elizabeth Fagan, Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It’s great to see the Nottingham City Hub reach this important milestone. This project is an opportunity to help change the face of skills provision in the LEP’s area, a key driver of economic growth.”
“D2N2 is providing up to half the costs of the £58million Nottingham City Hub, the largest ever single provision through our Local Growth Fund allocation. We’re committed to ensuring that skills and training offered in the LEP area put students on sustainable career paths and provide businesses with the talent they need to grow, driving forwards our area’s economy and productivity.”
Speaking on the topping out ceremony, Councillor David Mellen, Leader of the City Council, said: “This iconic new building will help to inspire our young people to achieve highly and acquire the skills needed for the jobs we will create in Nottingham.”
“Projects like these build on our commitment to bring jobs, economic growth and more visitors to benefit the entire city and the variety of projects underway or soon to begin will help us turn that aspiration into reality.”
Minister for Local Growth, Jake Berry, MP commented: “We’re committed to boosting economic growth across the whole of the Midlands Engine and building a country that works for everyone.”
“Nottingham College’s new City Hub building, made possible thanks to £30 million of investment from the Local Growth Fund, will create a landmark building which forms an integral part of the city’s regeneration by providing new state-of-the-art facilities for 4,845 new learners, businesses and community groups as well as creating 87 new jobs.”
The new campus represents a £58m investment in the city’s education by Nottingham College, made possible thanks to funding support from D2N2 LEP and Nottingham City Council. International property and construction consultancy, Gleeds is acting as cost manager and project monitor and is supporting the project management team on the development.
Media wanting more information about the D2N2 LEP can contact Luke Stott, D2N2 Social Media & Marketing Officer, on 0115 9578749 or email: Luke.Stott@d2n2lep.org
