Bournemouth & Poole College’s financial and business services facility at Lansdowne has received a major revamp thanks to a £2 million investment secured by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership through the Dorset Growth Deal.
New cladding has been applied over the building’s exterior walls and roof. The process, which took six months to complete, involved applying a watertight envelope by over-cladding the building and adding double glazing and a new roof membrane.
Substantial energy improvements have been achieved for the building, reducing its carbon footprint and extending its life by 50 years. Annual cost and efficiency savings are expected to be over £50,000.
Internal refurbishments have also been made to improve access for students with learning difficulties and / or disabilities.
Gordon Page, chairman of Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership said:
“Financial services is one of the key growth sectors in Dorset and the Lansdowne area offers excellent potential as a commercial business district. We are delighted to have secured funding through the Dorset growth deal to invest in Bournemouth & Poole College’s Lansdowne building. Creating better education and training facilities will help attract and create a more highly skilled and educated workforce – this in turn will boost productivity and employment opportunities.”
Diane Grannell, Principal of Bournemouth & Poole College said:
“This project significantly improves both the look and the experience of our students at our Lansdowne site. We are very grateful to Dorset LEP for their financial support to this project, which directly supports the delivery of Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership’s skills strategy.”
Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership anticipates the funding at Bournemouth & Poole College will contribute £480,000 to the local economy and lead to:
– The creation of 40 direct jobs, 140 indirect and 50 construction jobs;
– training of 50 financial & business services apprentices and 740 full time students annually.
