Major Funding Boost Enables College Extension into former Wilko’s Unit to Progress

A MAJOR step forward has been taken in plans to create a new hub for post-16 education in Ashton town centre.

Following confirmation of capital funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), through their Local Growth Fund (LGF), Tameside Council is leasing the former Wilko unit to Tameside College to increase opportunities to live and learn in the borough.

This funding, along with the money received from the Department for Education for 16-19 sufficiency challenges and the college’s own reserves, contributes towards this £4.2m project.

The college will use the funding to transform the vacant shop unit and accommodate an extra 350 spaces for learners from September 2026.

It includes an additional eleven classrooms, additional examination space and ancillary accommodation as an extension to their current base adjacent to the unit.

A signing ceremony between the Council and college was held on Friday 24 October to sign off the terms and showcase the exciting plans for the unit.

Local Authorities have a statutory duty to make sure there are sufficient places in education for young people post-16. In Tameside, there is an increasing population resulting in a larger demand for post-16 provision, with a continuing rise forecast in the post-16 cohort over the next few years. A peak of school leavers is predicted to take place in 2026/27. This rise in school leavers creates an insufficiency of places that could see an increasing number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Leasing the space to Tameside College enables 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.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture Cllr Leanne Feeley said: “I’m thrilled that Tameside College has secured the necessary funding to progress the transformation of this vacant unit to make this exciting development a reality.

“It will mean our young people can access a high-quality education that will open up career paths for them, while supporting the regeneration of our town centres.”

Jackie Moores, principal and CEO at Tameside College, said: “This is a really exciting project for the College and local community, which the Council has provided great support for. This development will help us continue to meet the increasing needs of young people in the borough, with the college doubling in size over the past 7 years.”