Construction begins on Blackpool’s £65m Multiversity

Construction has officially begun on Blackpool’s £65m Multiversity development within the Talbot Gateway regeneration area, marking a major milestone in the ongoing transformation of the town centre.

The 115,000 sq ft higher education facility is being delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction in partnership with Blackpool Council and Blackpool and The Fylde College.

Designed by , the Multiversity will provide more than 70 higher education courses, with a strong focus on aligning training provision directly with local employment demand to improve graduate outcomes and workforce readiness.

The development forms part of the wider Talbot Gateway regeneration scheme, which has already seen significant investment including a £100m Department for Work and Pensions hub completed last year and a £45m Ministry of Defence office currently under construction.

Once complete, the Multiversity is expected to accommodate approximately 3,000 students and staff, significantly increasing daily footfall within Blackpool town centre and supporting surrounding businesses.

The project follows completion of site clearance works after a compulsory purchase order, enabling main contractor Morgan Sindall to commence on-site delivery. Construction is scheduled for completion ahead of the 2028/29 academic intake.

A second phase of development could deliver a further 130,000 sq ft of education, office or research space subject to future planning.

🏗️ ConstructNet Intelligence Overview

The start of construction on a major education-led regeneration scheme introduces a multi-year pipeline of construction activity across Blackpool town centre.

Early and ongoing opportunities are expected across:

• enabling and groundworks packages

• reinforced concrete and structural frame works

• façade and envelope systems

• M&E installation (education specification)

• internal fit-out for teaching and lecture facilities

• public realm and external works within Talbot Gateway

• infrastructure and utility upgrades tied to phased regeneration

The wider Talbot Gateway programme continues to act as a catalyst for sustained regeneration activity, with multiple government and institutional occupiers already committed to the area.

The potential second phase of the Multiversity scheme also signals a longer-term pipeline of additional construction, consultancy and delivery opportunities within the education and research sector.

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This ConstructNet intelligence brief is based on publicly available planning and development information and ConstructNet analysis. It is provided for business development and market awareness purposes only and does not constitute professional, financial, or procurement advice. Users should independently verify any information before making business decisions.