Personal and Professional Learning Centre in Haverhill run by the Eastern Education Group to the High Street at Provincial House
Exerpt from news article from Suffolk News, April 2024: Read the full news article here
West Suffolk Council has approved a £2 million investment plan for Haverhill town centre, aiming to attract more businesses, support existing traders, and enhance adult skills and education. The plan includes relocating the town’s Personal and Professional Learning Centre run by the Eastern Education Group to the High Street at Provincial House.
Laraine Moody, group principal of University and Professional Development at West Suffolk College, expressed delight, stating that moving the Learning Centre to the heart of Haverhill will enable them to support more local residents in gaining new skills and experiences.
Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, cabinet member for growth, Cllr Diane Hind, cabinet member for resources, Cllr Cliff Waterman, leader of West Suffolk Council and Laraine Moody, group principal – University and Professional Development at West Suffolk College, outside Provincial House in Haverhill.Contributed picture
The council, which bought Provincial House in 2019 to retain a major employer, AXA, aims to encourage footfall and support local businesses. Phased works have been ongoing to bring the building up to the required standards.
Under the One Public Estate initiative, the council is partnering with the Eastern Education Group to relocate the Learning Centre into the town centre, investing £2 million into Provincial House from the Investing in our Growth Agenda fund. The investment will fund the required work to relocate the college, creating smaller, modern business units for start-ups and existing businesses.
Once completed, the project is estimated to create a net surplus after borrowing, contributing to the delivery of council services.