Building work complete on £26 million new university building, on the site of the former Dudley Hippodrome theatre
Construction work on a £26 million university building on the site of a former Black Country theatre has now been completed, ready to accept its first students later this year.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said the completion of Worcester University's new health college on the site of the former Dudley Hippodrome theatre marked the beginning of an exciting new era for education in the town.
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The demolition of the theatre in 2023 provoked an outcry from its supporters, but Councillor Harley said he was delighted the new building on the site in Castle Hill had been completed on time and on budget.
He said the college would create new employment and skill opportunities for people in Dudley, with 35 new jobs being created at the site itself.
The University of Worcester will run a health and life sciences college from the site, which will provide university-level courses for the health sector, in conjunction with its partner Dudley College.
The building is now being prepared to welcome students later this year, with some having already started courses at the nearby Dudley Institute of Technology building.
Over the first five years is expected to see more than 1,000 students enrolled across a variety of courses, with a focus on helping them prepare for the workplace.
The construction project operated a keen focus on social value and greener development with 80 per cent of team working on site hailing from the area.
Councillor Harley said: "This is another fantastic addition and asset to the innovation quarter here in Dudley and I am thrilled to see the construction phase completed on time and in budget.
“The campus will have a keen focus on health and life sciences, bringing more higher education learning opportunities and marking the start of an exciting new era for education in our town."
Councillor Harley said agreements were being finalised which would see Dudley College take on the main lease, with Worcester University then taking on a sub-lease.
Prof David Green, vice-chancellor of Worcester University, said: “We are delighted to be working with Dudley Council, Dudley College and the NHS to bring the opportunity to train as a nurse and gain this valuable qualification here in Dudley.
“This building will contain vitally necessary specialist simulation and healthcare specific education facilities so that the students can learn effectively and safely and go on to be outstanding nurses in our NHS.
"Working with the college, NHS and local employers, we plan to bring more higher education opportunities to Dudley’s doorstep.
"We would like to thank all our partners who have worked so hard to get this exciting project to this stage and look forward to much further success together.”
Dudley College principal Diana Martin said the new college would allow students of its existing vocational and A-level courses to progress to university-level education.
“It marks an exciting new phase for learning in our borough and the wider Black Country,” she said.
