Lindum complete work on University Centre, Grantham
Lindum have handed over University Centre, Grantham, a new 9,000 sq ft building, which sits above the Savoy cinema complex on St Peter’s Hill. Students can study a range of courses including degrees, high-level apprenticeships, diplomas and short courses in the new purpose built facility.
The project was developed by InvestSK in partnership with South Kesteven District Council and was funded by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
The new University Centre is a fantastic new facility for South Kesteven. It has come about through genuine partnership working between InvestSK, the council, the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, the University of Lincoln and, of course, the great construction work undertaken by Lindum.
CEO of InvestSK, Steve Bowyer
Steve continued, "Developing the right skills for the businesses in and around South Kesteven has always been important for the economy, and this even more true now. This Centre should play a vital part in our economic recovery across the region."
Professional business services will also be offered at the University Centre, including start-up advice, growing businesses and business networks, and events and talks will be hosted there.
We have ambitious plans for the district, its regeneration and growth. Fundamental to those plans is an ability to access higher level education and skills training, to nurture and retain young talent and provide access for businesses to develop the expertise of their workforces.
Leader of South Kesteven District Council, Cllr Kelham Cooke
Cllr Cooke continued, "We have invested heavily in the heart of Grantham town, notably the Savoy cinema complex, and the fact that our very own University centre will contribute positively to that is extremely exciting."
Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership helped to fund the centre through its Growth Deal programme.
Grantham deserves a facility to serve the skills requirements of businesses and individuals across the district. For too long we have seen too many of our young people leave the district to get their higher education elsewhere.
Council chairman, Cllr Jacky Smith
Cllr Smith continued, "It’s now up to us all to make the most of this wonderful opportunity and the large number of courses available on our doorstep."
The Greater Lincolnshire LEP is delighted to be involved in the creation of the new centre in Grantham.
Ruth Carver, Chief Executive of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership
Ruth continued. "Our £2m grant support for the scheme will enable educational opportunities for southern Lincolnshire residents and businesses to higher level skills development in the priority sectors for Lincolnshire.
We look forward to working with all of the partners in developing a curriculum that is focussed on the needs of the business community."
The centre has been designed to provide the right platform for rolling out learning opportunities to enhance the productivity of businesses in South Kesteven.
The University is committed to extending its reach for quality Higher Education within Greater Lincolnshire, as part of its focus on its civic duty to the county. “Our first offering rolled out in Grantham in Nov 2019, with an executive programme ’Developing a Managerial Mindset’.
Dr. Craig Marsh, Pro Vice Chancellor University of Lincoln and Director Lincoln International Business School
He continued, "We would like to bring to the regions those learning opportunities that are most required at this unique time in history, to uplift skills and directly aid employability and productivity.”
Challenges
When it came to the internal fit out of the building, the work was not without it's challenges. Access to the site was limited and the work was in a pedestrianised area which made the delivery of materials challenging.
When we were appointed, the building was basically a shell. We were instructed to install all the mechanical and electrical systems, put up the interior dividing walls and install the fixtures and fittings. But we are very pleased with the final result and were delighted to hand over the keys to InvestSK.
Colin Knight, Contracts Manager
Delivering social value
As part of the contract, Lindum calculated the additional impact its building work had on the wider economy.
Using the Social Value Portal, the company measured the ‘added value’ created by things like using local labour, appointing local contractors and using local merchants and suppliers.
So far, the social value calculated for the project is £636,560.34, which equates to 85.8% of the contract value.
In addition, Lindum donated a life-saving defibrillator to InvestSK, which will be installed in its offices. To fulfil our Social Enterprise commitments the company also commissioned not-for-profit organisation Pelican Trust to build a wooden bench that will be installed in the nearby pedestrian area.
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