Miller Knight celebrate completion of refurbishment project of community learning hub

Miller Knight are proud to announce the successful completion of the regeneration project at 9-11 Low Street, as part of a series of works to modernise learning environments for students and boost community engagement.

Supporting Ashfield District Council and the Academy Transformation Trust, Miller Knight were appointed to redevelop and reconfigure a vacant retail space in the busy town centre of Sutton-in-Ashfield to provide an educational hub for the academy to create an immersive learning environment for students, whilst offering a space for the wider community to utilise for local initiatives.

Dianne Holmes, Head of Curriculum Strategy and Partnerships at the Academy Transformation Trust commented: “ATTFE College are delighted to be moving into this new facility with the aim of supporting lifelong learning and community activities to benefit the community of Sutton-in-Ashfield. We hope that our approach to using a centrally located facility will encourage people to visit their town centre, supporting local businesses and positively impacting the regeneration of the town centre.

“We are grateful for all the work that has taken place to make this project happen and would like to express particular thanks and recognition to Ashfield District Council, Kinver Solutions, Gleeds, and Miller Knight.”

With the project supporting expansion of teaching and learning into the community, the re-purposed building additionally supported the regeneration of the local high street.

The project marked the third within a series of works that Miller Knight have supported Ashfield District Council with, through the £6.3m Future High Streets Fund to regenerate the town centre, creating local opportunities and drive community engagement.

John Bennett, Executive Director – Place at Ashfield District Council commented: “This project is another important feature of our programme to revitalise Sutton town centre. Ashfield District Council is purchasing disused commercial properties in the town centre, renovating them and bringing them back into active use.

“We are pleased to have worked with Miller Knight, who have carried out the works to a high standard and delighted to have ATTFE as tenants for 9-11 Low Street, bringing their valued services to even more local residents.”

Upon attendance at a launch hosted by the Academy Transformation Trust for the community hub, where an array of local stakeholders and community members were given an exclusive first look at the completed works, the delivery team from Miller Knight were presented a Special Recognition Award to recognise their hard work in delivering such an impactful project.

Dave Swift, Construction Manager at Miller Knight commented: “We’re incredibly proud to have played a part in bringing this project to life. From the commencement of the works, we understood the importance of creating a modernised space that would serve as a foundation for growth. Seeing the completed project and the response from the client and the community is incredibly rewarding and reinforces the trust Ashfield District Council have in us to deliver their vision.”

To find out more about the project, visit our case study here.