Hillingdon Council has completed the sale of the vacant former Uxbridge Library to Buckinghamshire New University (BNU), providing additional higher education provision for residents.
The handover took place on Tuesday, 24 February, with the university intending to use the High Street site as its Uxbridge campus for teaching and learning. The university will refurbish the building, which will offer a range of courses, primarily in health, business and digital. There will also be a café on the ground floor for students.
The sale follows a decision by the council’s Cabinet to relocate the library to the Civic Centre just 300 metres away as part of the council’s strategy of co-locating services to improve access and its ongoing drive to deliver value for money for residents.
The new and improved library in the Middlesex Suite was officially opened in April last year, and with the former library building surplus to requirements, its sale has generated income for the council.
Cllr Jonathan Bianco, Hillingdon Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for corporate services and property, said: “This sale will safeguard the future of the site for continued use by the community and bring increased footfall, vibrancy and vitality to the High Street, benefiting local traders. It also supports the Uxbridge Town Centre Vision and our ambition to enhance the town’s public realm, making it an even better place to live, work, study and do business.
“It forms part of our continuing transformation and savings programme by making best use of our assets and generating income for the council.
“The former Uxbridge Library building was, for many years, a hub of learning and education, and I’m delighted that this will continue under BNU’s stewardship and be an asset for generations to come.”
Prof Damien Page, Vice-Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing BNU to the heart of Uxbridge. The former library has a history of supporting learning, and we’re excited to reimagine it as a centre for innovation and educational excellence that serves students, partners and the wider community.
“Our ambition is to create a welcoming, modern space that promotes high-quality education, innovation, and wellbeing, while contributing to the life and energy of the High Street. We look forward to working closely with Hillingdon Council, local businesses, and residents to develop a campus that reflects Uxbridge’s potential and benefits everyone in the community.”
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