Barclays funds college expansion

Barclays Corporate has provided a £5.2m finance facility to help Hopwood Hall College near Rochdale upgrade its campus.

The funding will pay for a new technology centre at the Middleton Campus and demolition of the existing building at the Rochdale Campus to make way for extra parking, pedestrian movement and entrance space.

Andrew Ingham, relationship director for the education sector at Barclays Corporate in Manchester, said: "As part of our commitment to the education sector, we have provided a flexible finance facility, enabling Hopwood Hall College to manage their campus improvements without concerns over property sales and with specialised treasury advice to help manage future rate risks.

Barclays Corporate has a relationship with nearly 40% of the further education colleges in the UK.