The Board of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College has given approval to go to the next stage with exciting plans to operate a Digital Skills and Innovation Centre campus within the Abbey Street regeneration initiative.
The £8 million funding package that makes this dream a reality has been secured from the Government’s Towns Fund by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. The final design proposals from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council and its strategic development partner Queensberry are expected to be discussed by the authority’s planning committee in late summer.
The 1,437 sqm, three-storey campus building will focus on providing access to digital skills training and support for the hospitality sector as well as having facilities for entrepreneurs and those wanting to set-up their own businesses. There will also be a shared workspace and exhibition space to showcase training opportunities and meeting and further exhibition space for the local community.
The Digital Skills and Innovation Centre, which is expected to open in 2024, completes the wider Abbey Street regeneration scheme which includes a Hampton by Hilton hotel a new regional cinema, a leisure area, artisan food hall and a dedicated multi-storey car-park.
Cllr Kris Wilson, leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said:
“The Digital Skills Centre promises to bring hundreds of young people into the town on a regular basis, and will add to the range of activities on offer here. I can’t wait!”
Sean Farnell, Chair of the Nuneaton Town Deal Board and board director at Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), added:
“This new town centre campus for North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College will provide a fantastic opportunity to improve the practical and digital skills of students and the wider community. This is an important aspect of CWLEP’s Strategic Reset Framework to support the development of upskilling and reskilling to benefit employees and employers.”