Willmott Dixon has been appointed by the Department for Education to deliver the £39 million block replacement at Hopwood Hall College’s Rochdale campus.

This transformative project, procured via the DfE Construction Framework, will see the demolition of 70,000 sq ft of existing college buildings and their replacement with a state-of-the-art four-storey educational facility spanning 75,000 sq ft on the St Marys Gate campus.

The new facility elevates Hopwood Hall College’s educational offering by bringing Higher Education provision to Rochdale for the first time alongside Further Education.

The new building will incorporate cutting-edge sustainable technologies including photovoltaics, air source heat pumps, and a hybrid ventilation strategy to harness renewable energy and offset energy used on site.

Work is expected to commence imminently, with the new facility scheduled for completion towards the end of 2028.

Michael Poole-Sutherland, Operations Director at Willmott Dixon in the North West:

"We're delighted to be working with the Department for Education and Hopwood Hall College on this significant investment in further education infrastructure for Greater Manchester. This project represents everything we stand for - delivering brilliant buildings that transform lives and strengthen communities. We have been supporting and creating opportunities for Hopwood Hall College students for the past five years and we’re thrilled to continue to work together to create a lasting legacy in Rochdale.”

Julia Heap OBE, Principal and CEO at Hopwood Hall College:

“We’re thrilled to be working alongside Willmott Dixon as we develop a brand-new block at our Rochdale Campus. This building will be a hub for learners of all ages, ensuring they’re able to thrive through expert training delivered in the heart of Rochdale. Willmott Dixon is a great partner for this project and it’s brilliant to work alongside a team who share our passion for transforming lives.

“Their commitment to offering T Level placements is just one of the ways we’ve already joined forces to provide opportunities for young people across the borough and beyond.”

Willmott Dixon is already supporting four Hopwood Hall College students on T-Level industry placements. This project will further support the company’s commitment to T-Levels, in addition to creating 15 apprenticeships and 20 work placement opportunities.

Willmott Dixon will deliver its ‘Building Lives Academy’, a bespoke employability and skills offering, aimed at learners from the college’s Advanced Technology and Construction Centre and set to include site visits, mock interviews, work placements and mentoring. Alongside its local supply chain partners, the company will also prioritise creating employment opportunities for Rochdale residents with barriers to employment.

Across two campuses in Rochdale and Middleton, Hopwood Hall College has been educating generations of students since 1947 by offering academic, vocational and technical programmes that prepare young people and adult learners alike for successful careers and futures.

The project adds to Willmott Dixon's growing portfolio of educational excellence delivered alongside the DfE including the net-zero carbon in operation (NZCiO) Tarleton Academy in Preston. The company also delivered Brian Clarke Academy for the DfE in Oldham in 2023 and is currently on-site delivering Wigan and Leigh College’s campus redevelopment, also set to be NZCiO.