Phase Two of the City Learning Quarter is on the way

The city of Wolverhampton Council has appointed the contractor to deliver major works on the city centre’s Central Library and Adult Education Wolverhampton facilities as part of the £61 million Phase Two City Learning Quarter development. Speller Metcalfe has been awarded the pre-construction contract and will now develop the detailed designs and carry out some enabling works ahead of the main contract and full works starting in the autumn.

Adult Education Wolverhampton’s Alan Garner Centre on Old Hall Street will also undergo internal remodelling and the construction of a two-storey glazed link building to connect it directly to Central Library’s 1930s extension where there will also be access to new classrooms for Adult Education Wolverhampton classes.

The Central Library plans include the restoration of the Grade II*-listed building’s façade on Snow Hill, a new roof, internal remodelling, a new rear entrance lobby and landscaping. This will create a modernised, reconfigured accessible, digitally enabled Central Library and an expanded centralised Adult Education provision that meets post-16 learner and employer demands. The improved Adult Education Wolverhampton and Central Library facilities will sit alongside a new state-of-the-art education facility for the City of Wolverhampton College currently being constructed by McLaughlin & Harvey.
Adult Education Wolverhampton and the Central Library will continue to operate throughout the duration of the works, which are expected to be completed in autumn 2025.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, Councillor Chris Burden, said: “The restoration and improvement works to our historic Central Library and Adult Education building are an important part of our City Learning Quarter vision to co-locate new state-of-the-art facilities in the city centre and improve life chances for people of all ages.
“We want to deliver a vibrant education hub where we improve the city’s learning, apprenticeship and employment offers, and retain our best talent, rather than losing people to different parts of the region.“
“The new facilities will also provide a vital facelift to our city centre and restore one of our much-loved heritage buildings, as well as offer excellent connectivity to rail, bus, tram and cycle routes.“
“We will be creating an inspirational environment where everyone can flourish - and it demonstrates the commitment this city has to investing in its citizens.”
Ninder Johal, Chair of Wolverhampton’s City Investment Board, said: “The City Learning Quarter scheme is now progressing at pace and we can soon look forward to works starting on major improvements to Adult Education and library facilities.
“It is part of a masterplan that is going to deliver an outstanding education and skills offer not only for the people of Wolverhampton but the wider region.”
Matthew Bailey, Director at Speller Metcalfe, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the City of Wolverhampton Council on another phase of works for the City Learning Quarter.“

The exciting City Learning Quarter Phase Two development was initially supported by investment from the council with further funding coming through a combination of £5 million from the Towns Fund, £22 million from the Levelling Up Fund and £22 million from the Department for Education, plus additional government grants and contributions from the college and council.
Its central location and close proximity to the new £150 million transport interchange will make it easily accessible. It will also boast environmental benefits in line with the council’s climate emergency agenda.

Image caption (L-R): City of Wolverhampton College Deputy Chief Executive, Peter Merry, new Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, and City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Cllr Stephen Simkins, at the site where the new £61m City Learning Quarter campus is being developed in the city centre