New year marks contractor's arrival on Barrow-in-Furness university campus site
The University of Cumbria is delighted to announce that family business Caddick Construction has been appointed as the lead contractor to create the first university campus in Barrow-in-Furness.
The Caddick Construction team commenced work on-site this week, driving forward the programme for the University of Cumbria campus to be constructed throughout 2024.
The campus will deliver degree programmes aligned initially to areas such as Computer Science (including cyber security), Business Management and Advanced Manufacturing. Once completed, it will help attract and retain talented graduates with higher-level skills that are vital for the area now, and for generations to come.
HRH The Princess Royal visited the site in November 2023, ceremonially ‘breaking ground’ on the project (above).
University of Cumbria Chief Operating Officer, Mark Swindlehurst (left) said: “This milestone takes us another step closer to developing the first university campus in Barrow-in-Furness. We’re delighted to be working with Caddick Construction and existing partners on a project serving our community in an area of such regional, national and international importance.
“Offering innovative, inclusive facilities and provision, this campus will help transform lives and communities for generations to come. The increased reach and accessibility of higher education in, for and from Barrow means that this campus will have a long-lasting impact, offering new opportunities and inspiration to so many who choose to live, visit, work and study in the area and beyond.”
Paul Dodsworth (left), Managing Director of Caddick Construction Group, comments: “Over the years we have delivered a number of specialist education facilities and we’re pleased to be applying our expertise to the University of Cumbria’s new Barrow-in-Furness campus, while also extending our portfolio of work within the region. Forming part of our team’s preparations to start work on-site, we have been engaging with our local supply chain partners who will support our delivery of work in the coming weeks.”
Once complete, this state-of-the-art facility will provide new teaching spaces, laboratory space, workshops, offices, catering facilities and new landscaping to the immediate area, along with new cycling and car parking facilities.
The Barrow Island campus scheme is being funded by the UK Government, BAE Systems and the University of Cumbria.
The campus, located on a 2.6-hectare site provided by BAE Systems Ltd next to its Submarine Academy of Skills and Knowledge, is part of the Barrow Learning Quarter (BLQ) that is being created to transform educational opportunities in the area. The BLQ also includes a new Skills Hub at Furness College’s Sixth Form campus.
Looking towards Barrow and with its sloping roof line, the campus building design is inspired by the town’s submarine heritage. The dockside campus building will contain adaptable, specialist and interactive teaching areas across its two floors, along with social and library spaces.
The Barrow Learning Quarter is a significant scheme within the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal designed to help the town and surrounding area thrive.
In December, Westmorland and Furness Council entered into a Grant Funding Agreement with the University of Cumbria to support the construction of the building in line with Government requirements.
Growing its academic provision and research, the University of Cumbria has created a new Institute of Engineering, Computing and Advanced Manufacturing that will be based at the Barrow campus.
Institute leaders are working closely with Furness College to enable courses starting in September 2024 to be delivered from facilities at its Channelside campus until the new university campus is ready, with minimal disruption to staff and students.
Information about courses and scholarships on offer at the University of Cumbria’s Barrow campus can be found at www.cumbria.ac.uk/barrow.
And on 23 January 2024, the university’s outreach team will be sharing details about a BAE scholarship and course opportunities on offer. The ‘Barrow Discover Evening’ is taking place at the BAE Systems Careers Inspiration Hub in the town’s Portland Walk from 5-7pm. To find out more and book, visit https://shorturl.at/hmN69.
Watch: Fly-through of the Barrow-in-Furness campus
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Notes to editors
ADDITIONAL QUOTES
Councillor Jonathan Brook, the Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council and Deputy Chair of the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal Board, said: "This is a very important milestone in the life of not only the Barrow Learning Quarter project, but the Brilliant Barrow programme itself.
"Excellent progress that has been made towards the development of a university campus for Barrow. It is wonderful to hear that the project has now reached the stage at which the Government funding provided to Brilliant Barrow can be transferred to the University of Cumbria to allow work to begin.”
Furness College Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Nicola Cove said: “Furness College has a long history of successful collaboration with the University of Cumbria to ensure that students have greater opportunities for participation and progression on to relevant Higher Education that increases retention of young people and graduates in Barrow. We are pleased to be able to support the University during their campus build phase and look forward to extending our collaboration further through development of delivery plans for future courses.”
Notes to editors
On July 27, 2019, the Prime Minister announced that the Towns Fund would support an initial 101 places across England to develop Town Deal proposals, to drive economic regeneration and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth. See further details of the announcement: PM speech at Manchester Science and Industry Museum - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
A Town Deal is an agreement in principle between Government, the lead council and the Town Deal Board. It will set out a vision and strategy for the town, and what each party agrees to do to achieve this vision. See the 101 places being supported to develop Town Deals: list-of-100-places.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Each of the 101 towns selected to work towards a Town Deal also received accelerated funding last year for investment in capital projects that would have an immediate impact and help places “build back better” in the wake of Covid-19. View a list of accelerated funding by place: towns-fund-accelerated-funding-grants.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Caddick Construction
Caddick Construction, Caddick Construction (NW) Ltd and Caddick Civil Engineering are the building and construction arms of Caddick Group Ltd, offering more than 40 years' experience across a range of market sectors including commercial, education, industrial, leisure, refurbishment, residential, care, retail, mixed-use and fit out. The Group employs more than 500 people and posted a turnover approaching £400m in the most recent financial year.
Awarded 'Contractor of the Year' at the Insider Yorkshire Property Industry Awards 2021 for demonstrating a wide range of successful projects. Caddick Construction was named the Best Main Contractor to Work With (£50m-£250m turnover) by Construction Enquirer two years running and was recognised as a considerate constructor and the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s National Site Awards.
For further information on Caddick Construction, visit www.caddickconstruction.co.uk