Calls for college to move to Sugar Sheds

Paul John Coulter Published 24 Apr 2013 10:00 1 Comment

AN AUDACIOUS idea has been floated to relocate Greenock's James Watt College - to the town's historic Sugar Sheds.

Local MSP Stuart McMillan is calling for a feasibility study to be carried out to look into the possibility of a new campus at James Watt Dock, writing to college bosses, Riverside Inverclyde, the council and Clydeport about the suggestion.

The college is set to merge with its counterparts in Paisley and Clydebank and the current condition of its Finnart Street HQ has prompted the SNP's Mr McMillan to start a debate.

He said: "With the Scottish Government's college regionalisation process currently under way, there are exciting times ahead for students and lecturers in the west of Scotland.

"One of the areas that may be uncertain however is the fabric of the buildings at JWC on Finnart Street.

"As the current economic climate is still slower than we would all wish for, it may be the opportune time for Riverside Inverclyde and its partners to consider a 'plan B' for the James Watt Dock site in terms of regeneration.

"Education has a pivotal role to play in regeneration and utilising the iconic Sugar Sheds may provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to provide a truly inspirational facility."

The college moved to its current Finnart Street home in 1973 and there has been investment in the building over the years, with 2.6 million from the Scottish Government spent on refurbishment in January 2009.

But Mr McMillan believes there are question marks over the long term viability of the distinctive building.

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Calls for college to move to Sugar Sheds