Landmark site unveiled for Oldham's regional science centre

Oldham’s visionary new multi-million pound regional science centre (RSC) is to be based at Kings Point.

The landmark 35,000 sq ft site – ideally situated in the heart of the town centre – will become home to the prestigious new facilities, subject to the exchange of contracts with the Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund (GMPVF).

The stunning five-storey ‘Grade A’ development, which will be run by Oldham Sixth Form College, can be acquired thanks to a pioneering agreement struck between Oldham Sixth Form College, Oldham Partnership and Oldham Council and collaboration with University Campus Oldham.

The groundbreaking deal has taken just seven months to broker following the collapse of the original plans (then to be funded by the Learning and Skills Council) for the former Pennine Way Hotel site. Local partners have since collaborated innovatively in a bold move to ensure the borough does not have to shelve its plans to become a national leader for science.

Howard Sykes, Oldham Council Leader, said: “Kings Point is a superb site and an ideal venue for the new regional science centre.”

“This will become the leading scientific educational and research resource in Greater Manchester, providing state-of-the-art facilities that will move our education provision up to a whole new level.

”Science is going to be a key driver to economic prosperity across Europe and this project will offer an exciting range of new opportunities that will enable our young people to develop the skills and talents they need to success in the modern economy.”

The new centre will be the country’s first science facility to house a seamless transition from pre-16 learning through to degree-level courses.

Boasting 21 laboratories, plus experiment and exhibition spaces, the RSC is set to open later this year and will be used across the academic spectrum by primary school pupils through to undergraduates.

The centre will provide scientific activities, specialised education and research for up to 2,000 pupils and students*.

Oldham Sixth Form College’s ability to buck national trends and develop the market for science has been a key driver in this package. It currently turns away large numbers of students due to lack of capacity. That is despite having rapidly increased its science offering in the past three years with significant increases in, for example, students of maths (up 100 per cent) and chemistry (up 74 per cent).

Nick Brown, principal of Oldham Sixth Form College and chair of the Oldham Partnership – hailed the move as “brave”.

“Despite the funding complications we faced – particularly after the plans to build it on the former Pennine Way Hotel site fell through – we weren’t prepared to give up on this vision,” he said.

”This whole thing had to be done extremely quickly because there was a very narrow window of opportunity while the grant funding remained there, and the building stayed vacant.

”I firmly believe that what we have done will eventually be seen as a model for progress nationally. We have delivered this more quickly than would have happened under the original Learning and Skills Council (LSC) plans and that is of huge credit to all concerned.”

Jayne Clarke, principal designate, Oldham Sixth Form College, said: “The science centre is the product of exemplary and determined partnership working and we are delighted to announce Kings Point as the chosen site.”

“We have already established strong links with a range of prestigious national science organisations and have a series of lectures underway that are delivered by internationally-respected speakers.

“It is crucial that we’re able to meet the rising local and national demand for better skills in science and technology and the new centre will do just that – building on the college’s outstanding track record in supporting students to achieve excellent outcomes and progress to university.”

The Kings Point facility has been vacant since building work completed in June 2009 – just as the recession started to bite.

Incorporating cutting edge design and built to the highest specification using the latest sustainable construction methods, the building offers a fantastic solution for the diverse needs of an educational facility.