London college buys Digbeth building for sixth campus

A college in London has snapped up a Birmingham building for its sixth city campus.

84 Barford Street in Digbeth will form a Birmingham campus for CECOS College London, after the business beat a number of competitive bids to secure the 11,000 sq ft property to expand its UK footprint.

Commercial agents at Harris Lamb sold the former workshop for £750,000.

Charles Shephard, of Harris Lamb’s agency team, said: “There was a great deal of interest in this site because of its position in the heart of Digbeth; an area both within the new Clean Air Zone and going through a well-publicised gentrification process. The property itself is adjacent to the Smithfield Redevelopment Masterplan site, a Commonwealth Games 2022 venue, making it a very attractive opportunity for investors.

“As a multi-storey freehold building set in 0.71 acres, there was a great deal of scope for this property, particularly in light of the significant levels of investment and redevelopment in the area, and we quickly invited best and final bids for the opportunity,” he said.

“CECOS College London, an established and prestigious name in further and higher education, secured the site, and is now readying the property to form its sixth UK campus. CECOS already has campuses in Edmonton Green, Luton, Newcastle, Bradford and Sheffield, and was keen to locate one in the Second City.

“This building, with its excellent access to transport hubs and city centre attractions, provided the ideal location for such a facility, and work is now underway at the site with a view to it launching in the near future.”