Bradford College has officially opened its newly refurbished STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) building at the Garden Mills site, marking a major milestone in its ongoing development of cutting-edge facilities. The £6.9 million renovation project, which transformed a historic mill on Thornton Road, will provide a state-of-the-art training hub for students in digital, science, and allied health courses.
The five-storey building, originally constructed in the 1900s, is now dedicated to higher-level education, housing HNC, HND, and degree programmes, particularly focusing on STEM disciplines such as digital technology and ophthalmic care. The project was made possible through £5.8 million in funding from The Office for Students (OfS) Higher Education Capital Fund, alongside a £1.1 million contribution from Bradford College itself.
The opening ceremony was attended by a range of stakeholders, including education leaders, local employers, and members of the community. Guests from industries such as digital technology and ophthalmics, including representatives from Specsavers and the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, were present to celebrate the new facility. Bradford College’s Director of People Services, Sarah Cooper, welcomed the guests and highlighted the significance of the new building to both the College and the local area.
“We are thrilled that this incredible new learning environment is now open to our staff and students,” Cooper said. “It’s a fantastic addition to Bradford College’s resources and offers a vital boost to the local community. Garden Mills is a key part of our estates strategy and demonstrates our ambition to create pioneering careers for students while supporting regional growth.”
Following speeches, the guests were given a tour of the facility, which boasts industry-standard equipment and teaching spaces. Notable features include six digital IT labs, an ophthalmic dispensing suite, a clinical suite, and a real-world work environment with consulting booths for hands-on experience. The building is designed to provide a collaborative, modern learning environment for students and professionals alike.
Chris Webb, CEO and Principal of Bradford College, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially marking the opening of Garden Mills as the new home for many of the College’s higher education STEM programmes. This facility supplements existing STEM infrastructure across the College’s other campuses, further cementing Bradford College’s role in preparing students for careers in high-demand industries.
The opening of Garden Mills is just one part of a broader £32 million capital investment plan to transform Bradford College’s facilities. Over the past two years, the College has secured significant funding for various projects aimed at enhancing education and training provision in the region. These include the recent completion of vocational T Level facilities in the College’s David Hockney Building, funded by £3.5 million from the Department for Education.
Additionally, work is progressing on the College’s £15 million Future Technologies Centre, set to open in 2026. This new centre will provide modern facilities for automotive and digital engineering courses, focusing on electric and hybrid vehicles, advanced manufacturing, and low-carbon technologies. The project is expected to further support Bradford’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation and skills development in emerging industries.
Bradford College’s new STEM facilities and ongoing investments form a vital part of its strategy to equip students with the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow, while driving economic growth in West Yorkshire. Find out more about the Garden Mills project and other ongoing capital projects:www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/capitalprojects
