A major transformation of an iconic town centre building has been given the go ahead thanks to a Government grant.

Blackburn College’s Victoria Building will be re-developed using the grant after the college demonstrated the need for Government investment.

This investment forms part of the Government’s £1.5bn Further Education Capital Transformation Fund and Blackburn College is one of 16 institutions across the UK to receive a share of the funding.

The college’s Victoria Building will be completely re-developed as part of a project to ensure the building and facilities support the skills needs of the local labour market and can contribute to local economic regeneration and the levelling-up of skills.

Principal and Chief Executive, Dr Fazal Dad, said: “Blackburn College is delighted with the allocation through phase two of the Further Education Capital Transformation Fund to re-develop the college's iconic Victoria Building, which first opened as Blackburn Technical School.

“The college is excited and the investment is extremely welcomed to support the college’s outstanding student performance.

“The project will see the complete transformation of the building with resources re-developed and the space transformed.

"This will breathe new life into a building that has long been part of Blackburn's heritage and is located in an area of the town that is simultaneously being re-developed.

“The investment will ensure that the college continues to provide the right facilities to deliver high-value education and training and meet the skills needs of the Lancashire area.

"Blackburn College is looking forward to working with the Department for Education to start the project.”

The College’s exciting plans include the complete refurbishment of the listed building and the redevelopment of the current creative arts studios.

The redeveloped building will also include a training suite for adults and spaces for employers and community education including dedicated facilities for ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) students.

Blackburn College has already announced the opening of a new centre, Blackburn Sixth Form, in September 2021, following the closure of St Mary’s College.