Bury College Celebrates Completion of Historic Woodbury Centre Renovations

Bury College is delighted to announce the completion of the Woodbury Transformation Project, a major renovation of the historic Woodbury Centre. Marking this significant milestone, the official opening of the new Woodbury Centre entrance took place on the 14^th October, attended by members of the College Leadership Team, College Governors, representatives from the contractors, HH Smith, and the Project Management Team.

Chair of the Bury College Corporation, Chris Trees, opened the new entrance at the event and had this to say about the developments: “I am delighted with the outcome of the Woodbury Transformation Project. Students and staff have been provided with first class facilities and this can only enhance learning opportunities. Considerable care and thought has been put into the Project and I thank and congratulate everybody involved.”

The Woodbury Transformation Project was driven by two key objectives: upgrading and enhancing the estate’s highest-priority areas and enhancing the overall student experience. Thanks to this extensive renovation, the College has successfully revitalised a key part of its campus, ensuring it is prepared to meet the needs of students, staff, and the wider community for years to come.

At the heart of the project was the old Hair and Beauty block. The project identified key opportunities to improve energy efficiency and comfort through upgraded heating, ventilation, and electrical systems, better insulation, and renewed internal finishes. These improvements aimed to create a more comfortable, and cost-effective environment for students and staff.

To address these challenges, new Hair and Beauty facilities were created in another part of the campus, allowing the old block to be demolished. In its place, the College has created a beautiful new external garden area, offering a welcoming and functional space for students and staff to gather, relax, and socialise. Additionally, internal social spaces in the catering area (as well as the catering teaching facilities) have been renovated to provide a comfortable and inviting environment for all.

Improved accessibility and efficiency

The original 1940s layout of the Woodbury Centre presented challenges, and a key feature of the renovation is the creation of a new, central entrance that allows all users, regardless of mobility or disability status, to enter through the same doors. This inclusive design eliminates the need for separate entrances, ensuring an equal experience for all students, staff, and visitors. This approach reflects Bury College’s commitment to accessibility and equality.

Transforming the College estate

The Woodbury Transformation Project, costing just over £6 million, was made possible through funding from both the College and the Department for Education. The project forms part of a broader, three-year redevelopment effort that also includes improvements to other parts of the College estate. The transformation process began in 2022 with the original design stages and was completed ahead of schedule thanks to the collaboration and dedication of the College Project and Estates Team, the contractor HH Smith & Sons, and the design team.

Michael Smith, Project Manager, from HH Smith & Sons was present at the celebration event, and commented: “We were delighted to be invited by Bury College to the official opening of the Woodbury Transformation Project. This has been a great project for everyone involved, and we’re proud to have played our part in delivering such an inspiring and high-quality facility for the college.”