Ashford College, Phases 2A & B

Location: Ashford, Kent

Client: EKC Group

Value: £5m

Building to an incredibly tight programme to ensure facilities were available to welcome a new cohort of students at the start of the new academic year, Phases 2A and B of the development of Ashford College as part of EKC Group has now handed over and were officially opened in November by CEO Graham Razey OBE and local MP Damien Green providing essential new learning facilities for their Elwick Road campus.

Procured via the SEC Framework, Jenner were appointed under a design and build contract working with architectural practice HNW and engineer Fairhurst to together deliver the multi-million-pound build, which extends and enhances the existing educational facility in the heart of Ashford. The two and three storey steel-framed building delivers new mechanical engineering and production technology facilities to the campus, alongside new plumbing, and electrical workshops. In addition, teaching classrooms are provided on the upper floors and the contract included the internal fit out and all associated external works.

Surrounded by many local dignitaries and key stakeholders from the local business community the building was officially declared open with a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony and speeches from both Graham and Damien who commented that:

“It used to be a very desolate piece of land with mobiles on it, and it has been utterly transformed. The extension fits in well. It’s a good, attractive building which enhances the image of the town.”

Guests to the event were treated to a tour of the new facilities by many of the tutors and students who will benefit from the enhanced facilities.