Developer appointed to £15m learning hub as part of £220m regeneration scheme

Willmott Dixon has been appointed to build the £15.8m Telford Digital Skills & Enterprise Hub, as part of the Telford Station Quarter regeneration.

The construction firm is working for Telford & Wrekin Council, in collaboration with educational partners Telford College and Harper Adams University, after being procured through the Pagabo framework.

Plans propose a five-storey hub, providing educational and business offerings with shared spaces and start-up offices, as well as becoming a new base for Telford College and Harper Adams University.

Set to open in September 2024, the hub will accommodate 200 Telford College students aged 16 to 18, while Harper Adams University will offer a range of degrees, including Applied Data Science, Robotics, Automation & Mechatronics, Engineering Business Management, and Digital Manufacturing.

It’s part of Phase 1 of the Station Quarter project which also includes the development of a hotel, 189 townhouses and apartments. Improved public spaces such as the creation of an at grade crossing and gateway ramp and steps, will link Telford train station to Telford Shopping Centre.

The project is being partly funded with £200m investment of match-funding from the private sector, as well as £22.3 million from the central government’s Towns Fund.

Willmott Dixon has already completed the enabling works for the entire Station Quarter site, in line with the wider masterplan, prior to starting on the Telford Digital Skills & Enterprise Hub.

Dan Doyle, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “The Telford Digital Skills & Enterprise Hub brings enterprise, focusing particularly on start-up businesses, and education together – which is the perfect partnership as educating and training the next generation and bridging the skills gap is crucial for the future of so many sectors.

“The wider site also marks a new chapter for Telford by creating a more accessible, cohesive, and vibrant town centre that supports the council’s carbon neutral by 2030 pledge. The Telford Digital Skills & Enterprise Hub contributes to this, including sustainable elements such as solar PV panels and no gas on site.

“As with all our schemes, we aim to leave a positive lasting impact on the communities we work within. Throughout this project, we will be delivering a range of initiatives that focus on providing employment and educational opportunities to students in the area; something that is particularly topical given the nature of the building.”