• Swindon & Wiltshire Education, training and skills
• Thursday September 19 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Major construction milestone reached at University of Bristol’s new world-leading Enterprise Campus

Work on the University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus has reached an important milestone, with the structure of the main building completed.

Opening in September 2026, the university says the project is on time and on budget, with the new campus enhancing the University of Bristol’s reputation as a global destination for world-leading inter-disciplinary research, education and innovation.

It will provide dedicated space for around 300 enterprise partners, including existing SMEs and international companies, allowing for daily interactions with students and the wider academic community, collaborating to translate world-class research into commercial opportunities.

At the heart of the campus, on the site of the former Royal Mail sorting office, a 38,000 sq m academic building will be home to the University’s Business School, Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a range of Engineering programmes and digital research groups, and Bristol Innovations, the university’s catalyst for innovation.

The campus will strengthen the data science, digital innovation, creative industries, cyber and quantum technology sectors that are already flourishing in Bristol and the West of England.

This includes the Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre (QTIC), which has already supported more than a third of all quantum technology companies in the UK.

The university says this will help solidify the emerging West of England quantum cluster and ensure Bristol – home to the world’s first quantum photonics chip – is at the forefront of the coming quantum revolution.

In addition, the campus will also be an inclusive hub for local communities who will be welcomed to use the facilities and open spaces.

Parts of the campus have been shaped in consultation with civic and community partners as dedicated spaces for groups to work together to address local, national and global challenges.

The campus will improve connectivity in the area, with a new entrance at Bristol Temple Meads train station opening directly onto University Square, and enhanced pedestrian and cycling routes.

The campus is a catalyst for the wider 135-hectare transformation of Bristol Temple Quarter, the UK’s largest regeneration project that aims to deliver 22,000 new jobs and 10,000 new homes, alongside new public and green spaces, and a £1.6 billion annual boost to the regional economy.

With a refurbished Bristol Temple Meads station at its heart, the area will become a world-class gateway to Bristol and the West of England. A new eastern entrance to the station will open at the same time as the Enterprise Campus, giving direct access from the station to the campus, as well as helping to better connect the station to St Philip’s Marsh and east Bristol.

The University of Bristol is working closely with the Bristol Temple Quarter partners, Bristol City Council, the West of England Combined Authority, Network Rail and Homes England, to achieve these aims.

The new academic building will accompany the University’s TQ Research Hub, which will be fully operational by the end of this year, at nearby Avon Street. Phase one of the Research Hub houses the University’s Bristol Digital Futures Institute (BDFI), who are pioneering transformative approaches to digital innovation.

MyWorld, a University of Bristol-led programme for creative technologies, have now joined BDFI. And, in September last year, the University’s Dental School moved to a new purpose-designed premises on Avon Street.

The new campus – which represents a total investment of around £500 million – will be base to 4,600 students and 650 staff. In addition, private and University-managed residential accommodation is being built on Temple Island opposite, and in other nearby locations, for approximately 3,600 students.

Professor Evelyn Welch, vice-chancellor and president of the University of Bristol, said: “After many years in the planning the biggest innovation footprint ever made in our city is 1/3 of the way there.

“It’s great to see how much progress has been made over the last 18 months on site with the new building really taking shape before our eyes. The Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus will be a major new landmark for Bristol and a real catalyst for innovation not just for the city and region, but also nationally.

“It is being carefully constructed to meet the needs and nurture the aspirations of our students, staff and partners across the city and the wider region.

“It provides outstanding facilities to build on our collective strengths in research, innovation, learning and societal change. By attracting top talent, fostering cutting-edge multidisciplinary research, nurturing start-ups and entrepreneurship, and providing opportunities to work with students and develop talent pipelines, we will attract more international partners to Bristol and help to create a thriving ecosystem that drives economic growth to really compete on the global stage.”

Hector McAlpine, executive partner at Sir Robert McAlpine, said “Our work to date has placed this project in the best possible position to deliver this ground-breaking facility on time, ready to receive the next generation of students.

“In doing so, Temple Quarter has transformed, with this project acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration. We are proud to be part of this journey, delivering a legacy through educational programmes, community initiatives and funding, alongside employment opportunities during construction. This aligns with our strong social value objectives.”

Kerry McCarthy, MP for Bristol East, said: “It’s good to see University of Bristol’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus come another step closer to opening, and great that it’s due to come in on time and within budget.

“The regeneration of this part of the city is very exciting and will provide a real boost to investment and innovation, building on our existing strengths as a pioneering city for academic research. I also look forward to seeing the role it will play as a hub for local communities, and to further discussion about how local people will be part of Temple Quarter’s success story.”

Images: Ross James/University of Bristol