University Academy 92 Campus is Shaping Up

UA92 co-founder Gary Neville, principal Professor Craig Gaskell, and Trafford Council leader Cllr Andrew Western met to check out how the new University Academy 92 campus is shaping up.

The contemporary learning and teaching space is currently being developed by Bruntwood within the iconic former Kellogg’s building on Talbot Road, Trafford, Manchester.

UA92 is a new higher education institute co-founded by the Class of 92 - Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, and highly respected Lancaster University.

Workers moved onto the Talbot Road site, acquired through a joint venture partnership between Trafford Council and developers Bruntwood, a week ago to begin work on the ambitious redevelopment.

It will continue the regeneration of the area which began with the redevelopment of the LCC stadium and the refurbishment of the Town Hall and will be a key component of further development plans under consultation for Stretford and Old Trafford, including the Civic Quarter Masterplan recently approved for consultation.

Gary, the Council Leader and Professor Gaskell were given a tour of the site along with Corporate Director of Place, Richard Roe, Corporate Director of Governance and Community Strategy Jane Le Fevre, Bruntwood chief development officer Chris Roberts, Head of Building and Construction Mark Spavin.

Gary said: “To see work commence on the UA92 campus is another tremendous step forward. I think it will be a truly inspirational place for students to learn and engage with our partners.”

Prof Gaskell said: “We are delighted that work is starting on the new campus building. This is a significant step forward in our development. The building will support our innovative academic model and contemporary learning practice. We can’t wait to open the doors to UA92 students in September 2019.”

Councillor Andrew Western, Leader of Trafford Council, said: “It was great to meet Gary and the rest of the team. This groundbreaking scheme represents a huge regeneration opportunity for the area; UA92 will place Old Trafford at the heart of a new academic centre of excellence while driving investment in the borough for many, many years to come. We are confident it will be a catalyst for creating jobs, growing and retaining talent in the borough while building on the thriving community that already exists. The academic future looks bright for Old Trafford.”

Chris Roberts, chief development officer for Bruntwood, said: “We were delighted to have the opportunity to join Gary Neville, Councillor Western and Prof Gaskell at the site of the UA92 development, where work is already progressing well. The UA92 campus is at the first stage of its transformation into a world-class learning destination and it was great to host our key project partners at the site as work commences on this landmark development.”

On completion the UA92 building will house a range of specialist facilities, developed specifically for modern university learning and teaching. The UA92 campus will boast a full media suite, human performance lab, state-of-the-art computer and IT spaces and flexible, modern rooms adaptable to formal and informal learning, as well as individual and group work. The development phase starting today involves building internal walls, electrical and utilities works and installing data points.

Microsoft, a founding partner of UA92, will have substantial space within the campus, enabling UA92 students to learn and work alongside industry leaders from day one of their UA92 degrees.