Former Oldham College building being demolished

The buildings are being replaced with this new facility.

A major renovation project at Oldham College has taken another step forward with two buildings deemed ‘obsolete’ being removed from the campus.

It’s part of a multi-million pound project which will also see a brand new centre for students to learn building and trade skills being constructed.

Demolition of the Bevan and Bronte buildings have started with the current Principal and CEO of the college tweeting out a picture of the demolition starting.

It should have gone about 20 years ago. Five years ago we stopped teaching in it and used it for offices. Now it’s going. I can’t help wondering if the mice know what’s coming next ⁦@OldhamCollege⁩ #modernisation pic.twitter.com/XI4ZKmlcTE

— The Oldham Principal (@FrancisAlun) November 18, 2020

Nearly £9 million is being spent on the project which will also bring an increase in the number of pupils the college is able to teach by 250.

Commenting on the demolition work beginning, Principal and CEO Alun Francis, said: “It should have gone about 20 years ago. Five years ago we stopped teaching in it and used it for offices. Now it’s going. I can’t help wondering if the mice know what’s coming next”

Oldham College has commented on the new building saying: “The new state-of-the-art facility will deliver part of our fast-expanding curriculum that focusses on higher skills and is linked closely to employer demand.

"It will see the number of construction students at Oldham College increasing by 70 per cent – with apprenticeships in construction also expanding by an extra 200 places per year.

"Learners will get the chance to study skilled technical trades and higher professional skills, including project and facilities management and surveying, through to degree level.

"The two-storey Construction Centre will provide an extra 2,345 sq m of specialist teaching and learning space – making our facilities amongst the best available.

"It will include facilities for practical plumbing and electrical work plus flexible build spaces, testing areas, mobile workbenches, breakout and showcase areas, and associated classrooms, offices and storage space. Joinery and external brickworks areas will also be accommodated elsewhere on site.”

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