The wraps are coming off Wolverhampton’s new City Learning Quarter college campus as the transformative city centre development reaches another major milestone.

The majority of the building’s exterior is now exposed for all to see as contractor McLaughlin & Harvey continue to remove the protective covering and scaffolding to unveil the distinctive terracotta-coloured cladding.

Situated around the Old Hall Street and St George’s Parade area, incorporating a site on the corner of Garrick Street and Bilston Street where the former Faces nightclub building once stood, the development is also utilising the existing Metro One building – it will open to City of Wolverhampton College students in the autumn.

Alongside improvements to the neighbouring Adult Education Wolverhampton and Central Library facilities, the £61 million scheme – supported by Government funding – will establish new educational provision that will enhance skills and employment outcomes for residents across the city and wider region.

It will offer A Levels in a range of subjects and vocational qualifications in art, design and photography, business and management, catering and hospitality, computing and digital, creative media, games design and e-sports, hair and beauty, health and social care, music technology, performing arts, and science.

Prospective students can find out more about what will be on offer at the new campus at the college’s Open Day this Saturday (June 14), at its existing Wellington Road and Paget Road campuses, between 10am and 2pm. Book your place at Open Events | 14th June 2025 | City of Wolverhampton College.

Construction on phase one of the City Learning Quarter masterplan – a new £8.1 million Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre at the college’s Wellington Road campus – has been completed and opened to students in September 2024.

Shane Greer, Senior Project Manager at McLaughlin & Harvey, said:

“Driven by strong collaboration with our valued supply chain partners, our team is making fantastic headway on Wolverhampton Council’s new City Learning Quarter. As we move towards completion later this year, we look forward to unveiling a campus that will unlock significant opportunity and future potential for the community.”

Councillor Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said:

“As we get the first look at the exterior finish of the new City Learning Quarter there is no doubt it is going to provide an inspirational setting for students and staff.

“It will also act as a focal point in the city centre, increasing footfall to support neighbouring businesses, especially with its excellent connectivity to rail, bus, tram and cycle routes.

“The City Learning Quarter has been a long-held ambition of the council to drive education and skills in the city and it will unlock opportunities for the people of Wolverhampton and beyond.”

Warinder Juss MP, Wolverhampton West, said: “The development of the City Learning Quarter provides exciting opportunities to not only the students of the college, but also to help with the regeneration of the city centre.”

Paul Davies, Director of Finance at the college, said:

“The unveiling of the new City Learning Quarter campus is a major milestone for the college and for education in Wolverhampton. It’s the result of years of planning and investment, and it’s exciting to see the vision becoming a reality.

“Relocating from our long-standing Paget Road site to this purpose-built, centrally located campus will allow us to deliver a modern, high-quality learning experience that has greater accessibility through public transport links. The new facilities will not only benefit our staff, students and apprentices, but also play a key role in supporting skills development and economic growth across the wider region.”

The exciting City Learning Quarter proposals were initially supported by investment from the council with a further £49 million coming through UK Government funding, plus additional government grants and contributions from the college and council.

It will pave the way for City of Wolverhampton College to move from its 1960s Paget Road site, which has been identified as land to build much-needed housing.

The college forecasts that over a 10-year period approximately 45,000 people will benefit from learning at the City Learning Quarter and around 7,500 apprenticeships will be started.

Its central location and close proximity to the new £150 million transport interchange will make it easily accessible. It will also boast environmental benefits in line with council’s climate emergency agenda.