Accrington and Rossendale College unveils £5m Heartwood Centre

Accrington and Rossendale College welcomed almost 100 highly esteemed guests to help it celebrate the launch of its brand new state-of-the-art £5m Heartwood Centre.

The Heartwood Centre, located at the Sandy Lane campus, Accrington, and featuring the stylish new Roots Restaurant, is predicted to provide a boost to the surrounding area by producing a talent pipeline of skilled and work ready people to match the growth in hospitality and catering jobs.

The centre, which also houses conference facilities, warehousing and shopping spaces, creates a visitor destination in its own right to support local economic activity and growth.

Guest of honour Damian Clarkson, founder and managing director of The London Kitchen, said: “I always enjoy working alongside Accrington and Rossendale College and seeing the new facilities at first hand has underlined their dedication to provide an environment that is fully equipped for students to succeed. I have over the years, worked with the college on numerous occasions with students coming to the London Kitchen to help with major events.

"The opportunity to be the guest of honour for the formal launch of The Heartwood Centre and Roots Restaurant was one I am extremely proud of. I am looking to continuing the fruitful relationship between AccRoss and The London Kitchen.”

Accrington and Rossendale college principal Sue Taylor said: “The college’s continuous efforts to develop its already outstanding campus and facilities shows the dedication we have for all our students and prospective students. "The new Roots Restaurant not only gives the wider community a fantastic modern restaurant but also our students a state-of-the-art facility in which they can learn and succeed.”