Former college in Hinckley could become call centre

A former college building in Hinckley could be turned into call centres and offices.

The Midland Studio College, on the corner of Spa Lane and London Road, was previously part of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, which has another campus in the town.

It was sold off on March 1 after two years on the market.

If a planning application is approved, the building will be turned into open plan offices and two call centres.

The ground floor would be converted into a canteen, conference room, meeting room, large open plan office and reception. It currently comprises four meeting rooms, one large teaching room, a staff room, refectory, administration office, staff work base, toilets, one large, a student social space, reception and administration workbase.

The first floor comprises a study centre, laboratory, two teaching rooms, a staff workbase and an IT suite. The proposal is to turn it into two call centres, a training room, board room, an accounts office and an open office.

A spokesperson for North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College said: “After nearly two years on the market, we are extremely pleased that a buyer has been found.

They added: "This is a very positive outcome that will not only result in the building being preserved and utilised, but also allow it to contribute positively to local business and the community as a whole.”

The external appearance of the property, which backs onto Queen’s Park to the south, would not be changed as part of the plans. The site’s boundary and protected trees would also be unaffected.

It would retain its 42 car parking spaces on site, with access off London Road.

The horseshoe-shaped building was built in 1951 as a technical college and was extensively refurbished in 2012 for the college.

A design statement filed with the application states: “The building is no longer needed for educational purposes as alternative premises have been provided.

“The building has been marketed several times without securing a buyer until recently, and has been vacant for two and a half years.

“The office use would be a suitable re-use boosting the local economy through business rates and employing a number of staff.

“The site occupies a sustainable location where staff and the limited number of visitors could walk into the town centre to use the facilities or retail offerings.

“Given this location the site is sustainable and provides alternatives to the private car for access.

“The use can take place without any external alteration and can operate without harm to residential amenity.”