We have taken a peek behind the hoarding and into the new two storey building off Abbey Street
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16:06, 8 JUL 2026
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Nuneaton’s new college campus is shaping up fast. We took a peek behind the hoarding and into the new two storey building off Abbey Street.
“Why shouldn’t our young people have facilities like this” was the statement from Marion Plant, OBE, principal and Chief Executive of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC).
Inside the large three-storey building is the campus the principal says the town and its people ‘deserves’, with the very latest in facilities in a learning environment she hopes will ‘inspire’ young people and adult learners not just from the borough but much further afield.
It has been a long time coming, years in fact since just under £8m was set aside from what was the original £23m Towns Deal funding, which is now known as Transforming Nuneaton, back in March 2021, to pay for the new college hub.
There remains the question of the college signing the lease with Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. The principal told CoventryLive she is confident they will sign on the dotted line before the fit out is complete.
These works are ‘on track’ and should be completed by August 18 ahead of the start of the new academic year.
Enrolment has already started and the college boss said that numbers for hospitality and catering, which had fallen post Covid pandemic, were ‘up’ – and the pull of the new campus has been key to that.
What does the campus include – fine dining restaurant and more
It boasts three kitchens – one large, ‘industry standard’ kitchen, one next to what will be the bistro with a window so diners can watch the cooking live on the ground floor.
There is also specialist patisserie kitchen on the first floor with a ‘dumb waiter’ so that the pastries can be sent to the bistro below.
On the first floor are bespoke teaching spaces, including one especially for ‘digital’ training, including AI, and others which are adaptable for adult and higher education.
These rooms are mirrored on the third floor which the option to bring some creative arts studies from the Hinckley site to the new Nuneaton town centre campus.
It will be known as the Grayson Place campus, as a nod to the Grayson Place regeneration site it sits on and the re-located award-winning Glebegate restaurant from the Hinckley Road campus will be known as Grayson’s restaurant.
It has been created in what was an old Co-op department store building with brand new windows, roof, high ceiling and views out onto the wider Grayson Place site.
Fine dining will be offered, prepared by the students in the ‘London hotel’ standard kitchens.
As well as offering dining for between 60 and 80 people within the restaurant and bistro, there is also a bar and there will be Al Fresco dining outside too.
It is not finished yet, but, on leaving the building, the principal said she was ‘excited’ for forthcoming weeks.
“The fitting out phase marks another exciting chapter in the development of a modern, forward-thinking educational provision for Nuneaton and surrounding areas,” she said.
Inside the Grayson Place campusOne of the industry standard training kitchens1 of 9Share
Inside the Grayson Place campus
One of the industry standard training kitchens
Inside the Grayson Place campusWhat will be the main entrance for students, staff and visitors off Abbey Street2 of 9Share
Inside the Grayson Place campus
What will be the main entrance for students, staff and visitors off Abbey Street
Inside the Grayson Place campusThe kitchen with, left, a glass window so diners can watch ‘live cooking’3 of 9Share
Inside the Grayson Place campus
The kitchen with, left, a glass window so diners can watch ‘live cooking’
Inside the Grayson Place campusInside what will be Grayson’s restaurant – which is a transformed former Co-op department store building.4 of 9Share
Inside the Grayson Place campus
Inside what will be Grayson’s restaurant – which is a transformed former Co-op department store building.
Inside the Grayson Place campusThe fully secure main entrance and reception which will also have a student social space5 of 9Share
Inside the Grayson Place campus
The fully secure main entrance and reception which will also have a student social space
The Grayson Place campusThe outside of the Grayson Place campus6 of 9Share
The Grayson Place campus
The outside of the Grayson Place campus
Inside Grayson Place campusThe main industry standard kitchen where students will train and hone their skills7 of 9Share
Inside Grayson Place campus
The main industry standard kitchen where students will train and hone their skills
The Grayson Place campus Marion Plant, OBE, principal and Chief Executive of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC), joined CoventryLive on a tour inside the new campus in the town centre8 of 9Share
The Grayson Place campus
Marion Plant, OBE, principal and Chief Executive of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC), joined CoventryLive on a tour inside the new campus in the town centre
The Grayson Place campusThe new public restaurant on the left and main college campus building9 of 9Share
The Grayson Place campus
The new public restaurant on the left and main college campus building
Nuneaton