Sir Robert McAlpine to build the new University of Cumbria campus

Sir Robert McAlpine secured the tender for £77.5m and will be the sole contractor in building the new University of Cumbria campus in the heart of the city centre.

The project will receive £50m in funding from the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal – a deal which is bringing £452m worth of investment to the borders with hopes of increasing productivity and growing the working age population.

Vice chancellor for University of Cumbria, Professor Julie Mennell, said the university is 'delighted' to welcome Sir Robert McAlpine on board in bringing the campus a step closer to its development.

"The Citadels project is going to be truly transformational for place and people, increasing the accessibility, reach and impact of our academic offer and bringing more activity, footfall and investment into our city," she said. 

The proposed design hopes to open up the site and facilities to the public, allowing it to be ‘accessible, inclusive, and inspirational’ for all.

The Carlisle Citadels campus project has been developed by the University of Cumbria, Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council, and Cumbria LEP and will retain the Grade I listed Citadels rotundas on the proposed site along with other heritage features.

AWE: Sir Andrew McAlpine and Vice Chancellor, Professor Julie Mennell viewing the magnificent painted ceiling in one of the rooms at the Citadel site.

On Monday, Sir Andrew McAlpine and Managing Director for the Northern Region, Mark Gibson, visited the Citadels site as well as the university’s existing Fusehill Street campus where they met with Vice Chancellor, Professor Julie Mennell, deputy chief operating officer, Kate McLaughlin-Flynn and two members of the University Board, Ian Looker and Peter Yates. 

Sir Andrew McAlpine said: “We are thrilled to have been appointed main contractor on the Carlisle Citadel campus project.

"Building on 153 years’ experience delivering engineering excellence for our clients, we look forward to working collaboratively with all key partners, the University of Cumbria, Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council, and Cumbria LEP and optimising the social value that this scheme will create for the region.”

The project is expected to be underway in the first half of 2023, with a scheduled completion date expected for Spring 2026.

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