Back Back

£4million redevelopment officially launched

08/12/2016

A £4million redevelopment at the University of Wolverhampton has been officially unveiled at a special festive event.

The recently completed City Centre Campus project is part of the University’s Our Vision, Your Opportunity £250 million investment plan to boost economic growth in the region.

The redevelopment included refurbishing the food court at the Millennium City building, landscaping the main courtyard area and creating better access to the Wulfruna Building.

A new Starbucks, which is the largest franchise in Europe, also opened its doors in time for the new academic year. 

The new courtyard was designed by University of Wolverhampton graduate, Reuben Caesar, who completed a BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology degree in 2014.

The 28-year-old from Birmingham said: “My then employer said they had a project that would take me out of my comfort zone. It was great to give something back to the university where it all started.

“I wanted to create a space that is habitable, where students want to stay and chill. It used to feel like a corridor from one lecture to another. I used Brindley Place in Birmingham as my inspiration, we go there in summer as a family and I’ve always admired it. I’m really pleased with the finished result.”

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “We are delighted to have completed the redevelopment of our City Campus courtyard, catering and learning facilities. Our students are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to investing in our facilities to ensure they have access to excellent learning and social spaces.

“It was a pleasure to welcome staff and students to our new-look courtyard, which promises to be a real hub for social activities on campus, and our catering facilities are proving hugely popular with the University community.”

The new facilities were officially launched on Thursday, 8 December 2016 with a Christmas in the Courtyard event, featuring seasonal refreshments and live music.

Staff and students could also pick up festive gifts at a Christmas stocking filler fayre in the Students’ Union.

The work has included revamping learning spaces on the City Campus to enhance the teaching experience for students. A focus has been ensuring subject areas are grouped together and housed within high quality learning environments.

The catering facilities include the flagship Courtyard Kitchen, featuring counters offering street food, Asian cuisine, breakfast and pasta and pizza. There is also a Cornerhouse Deli offering freshly made and delicious sandwiches, salads, jacket potatoes and soups.

The entrance to the Millennium City Building has been transformed into a showcase for student artwork, and the courtyard will play host to a range of activities, with ideas including performances, fairs and a farmer’s market.

The Our Vision, Your Opportunity programme includes investment in new buildings, courses, learning and teaching, research, skills and training with the aim to enhance the experience for students, to increase the skill-base in the region, to help create jobs and to drive and support economic regeneration.

Further information

Pic: Graduate Reuben Caesar in the new courtyard at the University of Wolverhampton

For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 32 2736 or 01902 518647.

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

Share this release

Related Stories