THE University of Cumbria is seeking to secure a contractor to build its new multi-million pound campus in Barrow.

The successful contractor will create the town’s first ever campus on a 2.76-hectare plot beside BAE Systems’ existing Submarines Academy for Skills and Knowledge.

Backed by government funding, the project is the centrepiece of the Barrow Learning Quarter (BLQ).

Together with upgraded facilities at Furness College’s Rating Lane site, the BLQ – one of the #BrilliantBarrow Town Deal projects - will transform higher and further education in the area, as well as improve the competitiveness of employers and job prospects.

It is hoped a contractor will be appointed in September so that construction can begin soon after with the completion scheduled to be delivered during the 2024/25 academic year.

The tender process will last for seven weeks before a further two-week tender assessment and evaluation period.

University of Cumbria Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell, said: “This is an important stage in our plans for a university campus for Barrow-in-Furness.

“We are excited to connect with contractors who share our desire to enable our students and graduates to fulfil their potential and in doing so to increase the workforce supply and higher-level skills base for Westmorland and Furness and wider Cumbria.

“With BAE Systems, industry, education and local authority partners, we will provide attractive and accessible higher education opportunities and progression routes for those living, working and coming into Barrow, add to other investment projects underway, and support the realisation of collective Brilliant Barrow ambitions.

“The Barrow campus and new Institute of Engineering, Computer and Advanced Manufacturing which will have a base there, represent just one of the major developments in the University of Cumbria’s Towards 2030 strategy, which we are delivering.

“Alongside, other initiatives include: the recent establishment of a Centre for Digital Transformayion, a new Citadels campus in the centre of Carlisle, and the formation of the Cumbria School of Medicine, with Imperial College London, due to open its doors in 2025.”

Interested parties can seek further details about the opportunity at: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofcumbria/aspx/Home