New college campus completed on time and on budget

Students will start after the half-term break, now the keys have been handed over by Stephen McVeigh, from developer McLaughlin & Harvey (right), to Dan Harris, the college's head of facilities and procurement (left)

The final ground floor section of a brand new college campus has been officially handed over marking a "transformative moment for education and opportunity", city MP Warinder Juss said.

The new City of Wolverhampton College campus around the Old Hall Street and St George's Parade area has been built on time and on budget as part a £61m project revamping education opportunities in the city.

The other floors and a hair and beauty salon that make up Wolverhampton's new City Learning Quarter were handed over last month ahead of the 4 November opening.

The scheme was a "bold vision" the council said, which it hopes will support nearby businesses from a predicted increase of 4,500 in weekly footfall.

Councillor Chris Burden, cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills, said: "This new facility will drive education and skills in the city and unlock opportunities for the people of Wolverhampton and beyond and I cannot wait to see the first students walk through the doors in less than a fortnight."

Students can take A Levels in a range of subjects and vocational qualifications in art, design and photography, business and management, catering and hospitality, computing and digital, creative media, games design and e-sports, hair and beauty, health and social care, music technology, performing arts, and science.

The atrium is part of the final spaces to be handed over to the college

The project, using £49m of government funding, grants and contributions from the college and council, is part of improvements to the neighbouring Adult Education Wolverhampton and Central Library facilities.

The new £8.1m Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre at the college's Wellington Road campus opened to students in September 2024 which formed the first phase of the City Learning Quarter's plan.

"This state-of-the-art campus will not only equip thousands of young people and adults with the skills they need to thrive, but it will also breathe new life into our city centre by boosting local businesses," Juss said.

Louise Fall, principal and chief executive of the college, said: "To have had the final part of the campus handed over is the most fantastic news for our current learners and staff and the thousands who will study and work here in the years ahead."

The college's Paget Road site closed last week and has been earmarked for housing.

The college forecasts that over a 10-year period approximately 45,000 people will benefit from learning at the City Learning Quarter and around 7,500 apprenticeships will be started.

The science lab is ready for students to use