Business Secretary Vince Cable has officially opened City of Bath College’s new multi-million pound Roper Building.
The opening ceremony marked the end of a 10-month construction project to demolish the College’s Kings Building and replace it with state-of-the-art premises on James Street West and Avon Street.
The three-storey Roper Building, which links with the existing Macaulay Building on the first and second floors, has transformed the look of the college’s city centre campus and houses a spa and hair and beauty salons – open to members of the public – and a dedicated higher education centre to cater for the increasing number of HE students studying at the college.
It also has a reception area for students and visitors, bringing all the college’s student services together under one roof and a shop selling a range of products, from stationery and computer software to drinks and snacks.
Mr Cable joined VIP guests at the opening ceremony, including Brian and Margaret Roper, after whom the new building is named. The Ropers have close ties with Bath and have a history of donating to local charities and community groups. Brian Roper MBE is co-founder of Roper Rhodes, the Bath-based bathroom furniture and accessories company.
Mr Cable said it was vital to boost vocational training, which in turn would benefit the economy. He said there was a need to break down the 'apartheid' between 'posh' universities and vocational colleges.
College principal Matt Atkinson said: “The Roper Building will bring a huge range of benefits to our students and staff, and in turn provide a real boost to the city of Bath.
“We’re honoured to have Vince Cable officially open the new building, which shows the importance the Government places on the training and education of today’s young people.”
Funding for the building came from a number of different sources, including a £225,000 grant from the Skills Funding Agency, the sale of the college’s Westgate Building, savings from ending the lease on a rented building, and from the college’s own coffers.
