£14m cash injection for college

BOLTON 6th Form College has secured a multi-million pound finance package to help fund a new campus in the town centre.

The college, which has ambitious plans for its campus development, has received a £14m debt facility from Barclays Commercial Bank.

Bolton 6th Form College employs 150 staff and has nearly 1,400 students. It boasts a 100% pass rate in 23 of its A-level subjects and an overall pass rate of 96%.

In 2006, the college decided to sell both its North and South campuses and build new premises at Farnworth and Bolton Town Centre. 

It has just completed phase one by investing £14m into new premises at Farnworth, and is now embarking on phase two to develop the second site in Bolton Town Centre.

Vice-principal Lesley Hart said: “We are very excited about phase two of our plans which will provide a new facility at the heart of Bolton town centre enhancing the experience for both students and staff. As we have seen with the new campus at Farnworth, impressive buildings do have an impact and inspire young people to stay on and strive for success.

“We have a strong relationship with the Barclays team and have been impressed with the advice and support they have given to the college over a number of years.”

Andy Ingham, relationship director at Barclays Commercial Bank in Manchester, said: “The college has continued to seek out and develop the best possible facilites for its local community and these efforts have been clearly justified by the continued improvement in the academic acheivements of its students.”