Contractor appointed for University of Cumbria flagship Carlisle campus project
University of Cumbria is delighted to announce that a contractor has been appointed for the new Carlisle Citadel campus project.
Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), a leading UK construction and civil engineering company est. in 1869, has been appointed as sole contractor for this transformational build to create a new University of Cumbria campus in the heart of the city.
SRM successfully won the tender for the £77.5 million project with a winning bid focussed as much on the social benefits of the new campus, such as jobs and training opportunities, as its construction.
On Monday, Sir Andrew McAlpine and Managing Director for the Northern Region, Mark Gibson, visited the Citadels site as well as the university’s existing Fusehill Street campus where they met with Vice Chancellor, Professor Julie Mennell, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Kate McLaughlin-Flynn and two members of the University Board, Ian Looker and Peter Yates.
The Carlisle Citadels campus project has been developed by the University of Cumbria, Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council, and Cumbria LEP as a key partner.
£50 million of funding for the project is being provided by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal with an additional £4million from the Carlisle Town Deal Fund and the university expected to help meet the £77.5 million total cost.
The new campus plans that will be delivered by SRM will retain the Grade I listed Citadels rotundas on the proposed site along with other historic and heritage features, including the majority of the Woolworth’s building. The design seeks to open the site and facilities, in a managed way, to the public, allowing it to be accessible, inclusive, and inspirational.
University of Cumbria, Vice Chancellor, Professor Julie Mennell said: “Today’s contractor announcement takes us another step closer to developing a new university campus in the heart of the city, and we were delighted to welcome Sir Andrew McAlpine yesterday to visit the Citadels site.
“The Citadels project is going to be truly transformational for place and people, increasing the accessibility, reach and impact of our academic offer and bringing more activity, footfall and investment into our city.”
Sir Andrew McAlpine said: “We are thrilled to have been appointed main contractor on the Carlisle Citadel campus project. Building on 153 years’ experience delivering engineering excellence for our clients, we look forward to working collaboratively with all key partners, the University of Cumbria, Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council, and Cumbria LEP and optimising the social value that this scheme will create for the region.”
Following SRMs appointment as contactor, the next stage of the project is to successfully complete the planning application process. It is expected that the main construction work will begin in the first half of 2023, with completion forecasted for spring 2026.
There will be some site preparation work later this year, including archaeological investigations and other construction related survey work.
ENDS
Photos
Caption: L:R Kate McLaughlin-Flynn, Sir Andrew McAlpine, Professor Julie Mennell, board members, Peter Yates and Ian Looker, and Managing Director for the Northern region, SRM, Mark Gibson, in front of the Citadel buildings.
Sir Andrew McAlpine and Vice Chancellor, Professor Julie Mennell viewing the magnificent painted ceiling in one of the rooms at the Citadel site.
The group inside the old court room within the Citadel buildings. As the rotundas are Grade I listed, their unique status means that existing fixtures and features must be retained and protected.
Back row
L:R Ian Looker, Kate McLaughlin-Flynn, Peter Yates, Mark Gibson
Front row
L:R Professor Julie Mennell, Sir Andrew McAlpine
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal was signed in March 2021. The £350 million investment in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, from the UK and Scottish Governments, is made up of £150 million for Scotland (£85 million from the Scottish Government and £65 million from the UK Government) and up to £200 million for England from the UK Government. This will be supported by over £100million of funding from local partners.
The Borderlands Partnership is made up of Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Northumberland County Council, Scottish Borders Council.