Strathclyde Business Park Welcomes Scotland's Oldest College

In the largest out of town serviced office deal so far this year, Coatbridge College have signed a two year agreement to re-locate their entire campus to Strathclyde Business Park, whilst their £25m campus re-development project is completed.

The deal will see the college occupy 35,000 sq ft in Duart House, the Business Park's flagship office building.

Coatbridge College employs over 300 staff members, has 7,000 students, and provides a comprehensive range of courses designed to help people from all backgrounds acquire new skills and improve their employment prospects.
Principal and Chief Executive of Coatbridge College, John Doyle, explained "Over the past two years, the College has developed a very ambitious, attainable estates strategy to ensure a fully accessible College, making sure it complies with the Disability Discrimination Act and is 'fit for purpose'.

Following from our successful application to the Scottish Funding Council, and our target to have works completed by February 2011, it was necessary to re-locate operations to minimise disruption to students, staff and contractors."

"Strathclyde Business Park provides an ideal location with an engaging environment, and the Park management team have provided both the flexibility and the quality of accommodation we need for our staff and students to thrive and maximise their potential."

As part of a wider strategic move by the College, the award winning Dental School will remain at Strathclyde Business Park after the Coatbridge campus is completed.

Development Director, Stephen Lewis commented "As Scotland's first college, Coatbridge College has played a fundamental role in educating Lanarkshire's workforce for the last 80 years. It's entirely appropriate that they chose to de-cant to Scotland's premier business park location, which has played such a vital role over the last 15 years in re-vitalising Lanarkshire's economy".

"We worked very closely with the college to deliver a tailored lease structure, together with the management and delivery of their extensive fit out. This, coupled with the Park's amenities and moreover transport connections ensured that it provided the College with the best solution.

"We are very excited about the additional benefits that this brings to the existing 6,000 staff on site. The Dental School will provide commercial dentistry services, and the College's extensive evening classes course provides a host of additional on-site learning opportunities, alongside the College's Corporate Development services."

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Notes to Editors: Strathclyde Business Park

Strathclyde Business Park is owned by HF Developments. Well established as one of Scotland's most successful business locations, it is situated in 155 acres of mature parkland near Bellshill, Lanarkshire. The Park provides over 1.4 million sq ft / 130,060 sq m of business and lifestyle space to some of Scotland's top companies, including ScottishPower, Virgin Media, William Grants Distillers and PPD Inc. Over 6,000 people are currently employed at the Park.

The site Masterplan provides for a further 500,000 sq ft / 46,450 sq m of accommodation, which will bring an anticipated 4,000 extra jobs to the Park.

Located in the heart of the Central Belt, the Park is minutes from the M8, M74 and M80, providing excellent access across Scotland and further afield.

For more information on the Park, and its location, accommodation, facilities and amenities, please visit our website: www.strathclydebusinesspark.com