Management school’s £24m building opens

Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) has opened the doors of its new £24m building.

The extension to the management school, named the ‘West Pavilion’, is a five-storey contemporary development which houses three new lecture theatres, two executive teaching suites and three floors of workspace for academics and staff.

Designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBS) and built by Preston-based John Turner Construction, it also contains a large atrium and new reception area, linking it with the existing LUMS facilities.

Professor Angus Laing, dean of Lancaster University Management School, said: “Planning for this project started before the pandemic, when our footprint simply wasn’t big enough for our fast-growing school.

“Now it is complete, we are in the fortunate position of boasting a modern and flexible facility which houses some of Lancaster’s largest lecture theatres, with large open spaces that can be used safely within current restrictions, as well as when normality resumes.

“We look forward to a time when students can return to study here on campus and benefit from these facilities as part of the full Lancaster experience.”

Vice chancellor of Lancaster University, Professor Andy Scofield, said: “We have invested over £220m into our campus since 2013 and this latest, significant investment in LUMS has resulted in a large, attractive space worthy of a leading management school.

“It is an asset that can be enjoyed by all on campus, and forms part of our ongoing commitment to providing students with world-class teaching and research facilities.”

The second phase of LUMS’ redevelopment - a refurbishment of the existing management school building – is set to start in 2022. This will see break out spaces, meeting rooms, office spaces and a range of other facilities revamped to rejuvenate the building, bringing the style and design in-line with the West Pavilion.