Eric Wright completes £2.5m extension at college

ERIC Wright Construction, a division of the Preston-based Eric Wright Group, has completed a £2.5m extension at one of the UK’s most highly regarded  colleges.



The 48-week project saw the design, build and fit out of a new four-storey teaching facility on campus at Cardinal Newman College in Preston.



Delivering pioneering education facilities for the college’s 3,000 students, the scheme consisted of purpose-built seminar rooms, plant rooms, open learning and study areas and a fully-equipped IT suite.



Designed by Ellis Williams Architects, the new facility comprises a 16,000sq ft steel frame construct and concrete floorings, complete with brickwork and rendering detailing to the external elevations.

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The works form part of a multi-phase masterplan to improve student facilities at the College, which is ranked in the top 2% of schools and colleges in the UK.

Included in the scheme were a two-storey extension to the St Mary’s Building and a five-storey expansion which is the St Cecilia Building.



Eric Wright  was also involved in internal refurbishments to the second floor of the West Wing and upgrades to the external facades, including replacement of the existing Larkhill Road entrance and the introduction of a new feature staircase, entrance and glazed link.



Work was undertaken adjacent to an existing teaching building, which remained in use throughout the duration, with construction works tailored around class timetables so not to disrupt learning.

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John Wilson, managing director at Eric Wright Construction, said: “Cardinal Newman College has an outstanding reputation for delivering exceptional teaching and student experiences and these state-of-the-art facilities will bolster academic opportunities for generations to come.”



Nick Burnham, principal at Cardinal Newman College, added: “The brand new St Francis Building is a wonderful new addition to the College’s already fantastic facilities.”

The expansion comes as the College is also expanding its provision into HE courses, including School Direct, an initial teacher training programme and foundation degree courses in teaching and learning support and early years.