Former Wilko unit approved as a Hub for Post-16 Education

Opportunities to live and learn in Tameside are set to increase following the approval by Tameside Council to lease the former Wilko unit to Tameside College.

Subject to Tameside College’s governing body in July and securing capital funding, the vacant shop unit in Ashton Town Centre could create an extra 350 spaces for learners from September 2026. This would see an additional eleven classrooms, additional examination space and ancillary accommodation as an extension to their current base adjacent to this unit.

Tameside has an increasing population resulting in a larger demand for post-16 provision, with a continued 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 which could see an increasing number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Tameside Council hope that leasing this space to Tameside College will enable 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 delighted to let residents know about the exciting decision to lease our unit to Tameside College. Enabling spaces like this in our borough ensures that our young people can access a high quality, enjoyable and inclusive education, supporting them to reach their full potential. Not only is this great for our young people, it also supports our aims of reigniting our town centres.‘’

Jackie Moores, Principal and CEO of Tameside College and Clarendon Sixth Form College and John Lyne, Chair of the Corporation said: “We are excited about this opportunity as it allows the college to continue to meet the needs of more of our local school leavers at a time when the college has no space to grow further. The college has a longstanding relationship with the LA and we have been fully supported by officers and elected members to ensure that more Tameside young people can access high quality educational estate. This continues the decade long ‘Vision Tameside’ strategy to secure high quality estate for learners and our staff, in which to work, study and meet the skills needs of local and regional employers. It also aligns with the GM Combined Authority and DfE desire to support the school leaver ‘bulge’ in GM.  The project is subject to securing additional capital funding and Board approval by the Corporation. We hope to be in a position to agree the lease by the end of the summer.''