Victoria Mill lease kick-starts UCLan's Burnley plans

The official signing of the lease to acquire Victoria Mill marked a symbolic milestone in the University of Central Lancashire's plans to increase its number of students in Burnley to 4,000.

The university said its acquisition of the former University Technical College building will kick-start its educational blueprint, which include plans for a ten-fold increase in student numbers in the East Lancashire region.

There are fewer than 400 university students in the town at present. The blueprints will see this rise to 2,000 by 2021 and up to 4,000 by 2025.

The university plans to meet the existing and emerging skills needs of the region, and has worked with strategic partners Burnley Borough Council, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and a group of influential local business leaders from Burnley Bondholders to develop its strategy.

Victoria Mill will facilitate an expansion of UCLan Burnley’s course portfolio which by 2025 will include undergraduate and postgraduate courses focusing on advanced manufacturing; healthcare, fitness and social care sectors; aerospace; the creative and digital media sector; social sciences; business services and leadership and management.

Degree apprenticeship programmes, linked closely with local employers and skills needs, will play a major part in the university’s educational offer. Targeted research investment in a number of relevant areas, including advanced manufacturing, digital, health, business and community leadership, will also be a priority.

Dr Ebrahim Adia, provost at UCLan Burnley, added: “Acquiring Victoria Mill means we are entering a new era in our educational vision for Burnley. We will invest in flexible learning spaces and a new clinical skills lab supported by the latest technology to deliver a truly customised learning experience.

“Overall the University aims to provide a step change in extending its successful work to raise the educational aspirations of young people and under-represented groups from Burnley and beyond so they can reap the life-long benefits that higher education can bring.” Councillor Mark Townsend, leader of Burnley Council, said: "It's wonderful to see the former UTC building be brought back into use by UCLan as part of its ambitious expansion plans to increase student numbers in our town to 4,000 by 2025. Victoria Mill is a landmark building in the historic Weavers' Triangle and no-one wants to see it lying empty and unused which is why the council warmly welcomes this move which has come about thanks to our work with the university and its commitment to Burnley."