Ceremony marks start of work on £17m tech centre

A groundbreaking ceremony has been held to mark the start of what will be one of the biggest developments in Bradford city centre in 2025.

Bradford College is to build a £17m Future Technologies Centre on Thornton Road, on the site of a former mill building which was used for many years by the college.

The mill was demolished earlier this year after having stood empty for a long time.

Members of the Bradford College management team were joined by representatives from Morgan Sindall Construction and the Department for Education for the ceremony to celebrate construction commencing on site.

The Future Technologies Centre project received £15m from the Department for Education Further Education Capital Transformation Fund in October 2022, boosted by a £2m contribution from the college.

Once constructed, the four-storey building will be home to modern automotive, digital, and engineering training, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The facility will offer students skills in new technologies, such as electric and hybrid vehicles and advanced manufacturing.

Work on the building is expected to be completed in 2026, when Bradford College's existing automotive and digital engineering department will relocate from Bowling Back Lane to the new premises.

As many as 650 students could enrol at the city centre building, according to the college.

Sarah Towan, Bradford College's vice principal, said the groundbreaking ceremony was "an important moment for everyone involved in the project".

"We are delighted to be breaking ground on this exciting new development," she said.

"Engineering and motor vehicle skills development are high on the agenda for our local employers and regional economy.

"This cutting-edge facility will provide a highly skilled workforce for the careers of the future."

Ben Hall, area director for Morgan Sindall Construction's Yorkshire business, said: "We're thrilled to deliver what will be a game-changing new facility for Bradford.

"As part of our delivery of this project, we look forward to undertaking social value initiatives that benefit the people of Bradford, ensuring this new facility has a positive impact on the city way ahead of opening."

The ceremony came shortly after Bradford College opened Garden Mills – a digital, science, and allied health training facility for higher-level students, made possible by £5.8m funding from the Office for Students Higher Education Capital Fund.

The college has also remodelled new training facilities for business, media, catering, and hair and beauty students at its David Hockney Building.

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