Student homes plan for Burnley centre office block

A former Burnley office block could be transformed into student accommodation to keep up with demand for places at the town’s College of Football Business.

UCFB bosses want to create 60 new town centre flats in the Calder House building as more students take up courses in football business, finance and media.

The college, based at Turf Moor and Wembley Stadium, has brought millions in investment to Burnley and regenerated the former Keirby Hotel and Sparrowhawk for student halls of residence.

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But the empty offices above Charter Walk Shopping Centre could be the latest Burnley landmark building to be renovated to house students at the expanding college.

Prof. Philip Wilson, provost and chief executive at UCFB Burnley and Wembley, said: “We are delighted to see an increase in applications at our UCFB Burnley Campus, resulting in an increased demand for halls of residence accommodation.

“We take the pastoral care of our students very seriously and the provision of high quality living accommodation plays a significant role in their comfort and wellbeing.

“UCFB brings significant investment to the town of Burnley, measured in millions per annum through our student cohort and core business activities.

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“We have previously taken out of dilapidation two landmark buildings in the town - The Crown Halls of Residence (formerly the Keirby Hotel) and the Sparrowhawk Halls of Residence.

“The ongoing work being undertaken at The Crown shows our commitment to the people and the property of Burnley, and the public image of its buildings are important to the image of the town for local people.”

Plans have been submitted to Burnley Council for a change of use for the St James’s Street tower block to create more beds for UCFB students in the town.

The blueprints show three floors of the building could be turned into 60 students flats. Fifteen study bedrooms are proposed for each floor with two shared kitchens, lounges and dining rooms on each.

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Prof. Wilson added: “I would like to extend my thanks to the town of Burnley for making UCFB and our students welcome in the town. “Without this support, UCFB could not be the success it is today in creating a world first and providing a platform for opening our second campus at the iconic Wembley Stadium.”