AN EMPTY store unit on Tameside Council’s doorstep is set to become a new college centre.
The authority has opted to lease what was Wilko, situated between the authority’s headquarters and the town hall in Ashton-under-Lyne, to Tameside College.
If it can secure board approval by its corporation and capital funding, it could create an extra 350 spaces for learners from September 2026.
This would see an additional 11 classrooms, examination space and ancillary accommodation as an extension to the college’s current base adjacent to this unit.
And with the number of school leavers rising, it would be a welcome boost to post-16 education availability in the borough.
Local authorities have the statutory duty to make sure there are sufficient places in that sector and there is an increasing demand, with a continued rise forecast in the that cohort over the next few years.
A Tameside Council spokesperson said: “Leasing this space to Tameside College will enable the council to assist with delivering additional resources and infrastructure to support growing communities.
“In turn, expanding local capacity for post-16 provision will ensure more young people can access aspirational, inclusive opportunities in Tameside whilst also bringing additional footfall to Ashton town centre businesses.”
Its executive member for lifelong learning and culture, Cllr Leanne Feeley, added: ‘’I’m delighted to let residents know about the exciting decision to lease our unit to Tameside College.
“Enabling spaces like this in our borough ensures that our young people can access a high quality, enjoyable and inclusive education, supporting them to reach their full potential.
“Not only is this great for our young people, it also supports our aims of reigniting our town centres.”
Jackie Moores, principal and chief executive of Tameside College and Clarendon Sixth Form College, and John Lyne, chair of the corporation said jointly: “We are excited about this opportunity as it allows the college to continue to meet the needs of more of our local school leavers at a time when the college has no space to grow further.
“The college has a longstanding relationship with the local authority and we have been fully supported by officers and elected members to ensure that more Tameside young people can access high quality educational estate.
“This continues the decade long ‘Vision Tameside’ strategy to secure high quality estate for learners and our staff, in which to work, study and meet the skills needs of local and regional employers.
“It also aligns with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Department for Education’s desire to support the school leaver ‘bulge’ in Greater Manchetser.
“The project is subject to securing additional capital funding and board approval by the corporation.
“We hope to be in a position to agree the lease by the end of the summer.”