The Roundhouse in Derby has opened its doors to a first wave of students following an extensive redevelopment of the historic site by Derby College.

Gleeds, the International Management and Construction Consultancy, was employed to secure over £10m of funding for the £36m project which has become Derby College’s flagship site. This included £4.3m from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £1.5m from the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP), £3m awarded by the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) as well as £1.3m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

In order to achieve this, Gleeds first identified potential funding sources and prepared a comprehensive strategy for the project. They were then responsible for demonstrating the public benefits of the proposal to financial supporters and key stakeholders through the preparation of a highly structured Outline Business Case. This cited the enhanced educational opportunities, and subsequent positive impact on the local economy, that the establishment of a Further Education College would have.

Stuart Senior, managing partner of Gleeds said of the project: “We feel confident that the developed Roundhouse will encourage further regeneration in the local area and are delighted to have played such a vital part in securing the funding necessary for this venture to go ahead.”

The 18,000sq m flagship campus now provides cutting edge vocational facilities for more than half of the College’s 25,000 students. Catering kitchens, hair and beauty salons, art and design studios and engineering workshops are just some of the study areas on site. In addition, the campus benefits from a brand new library and resource centre and link building with innovative chameleon glass walls which change colour from deep red to yellow and from blue to purple.

The Grade II listed Roundhouse was originally constructed in 1839 but had since fallen into a state of disrepair. Surrounded by three other structures including an Engine Shop, a two storey Carriage Shop and a three storey office complex, all four buildings have now been compassionately redesigned by local architects, Maber. In addition to this, a new four storey, 8,888sq m building has also been created.