West Cheshire College: Ellesmere Port

Location: Ellesmere Port
Sector: Education
Project Size: 210,000 sq ft
Scope of Works: Furniture

"We chose Claremont Group Interiors' service to help us furnish our new Ellesmere Port campus, as they were able to provide a greatly unique look and feel to the inside of the building. Claremont's team offered a wide range of suppliers and choices, accommodated any radical schemes we had and steered us safely thorough what could have been a mine field of working with different companies, designers and finishes. They completely understood the brief, which included matching our iconic building with suitable furniture, but within a fairly tight budget. The team took the necessary time and attention to detail and sourced some very unusual pieces at very good prices. The final result is truly wonderful!"

Sara Mogel, Principal - West Cheshire College

The Brief
West Cheshire College needed an all-in-one supplier with specialist expertise to design, specify, supply and install a variety of different furniture in the College’s new and upgraded facilities at the Ellesmere Port campus. It was important that the furniture catered for a mix of applications, whilst supporting individual learning methods and styles. Each particular curriculum area required to be customised and accommodate a variety of students and staff needs and requirements. The furniture had to be to the highest possible standard and contain a high level of design and functionality, in-keeping with the ultra modern design of the building – all within a tight budget. Having experienced Claremont’s customer-focused and co-operative approach first-hand, when working with the team on the previous Chester campus, and Claremont’s ability to match the college’s furniture brief, convinced the College to choose Claremont as preferred supplier.

The Solution

Claremont provided an innovative approach to meet the College’s high aspirations and created an environment where students no longer visit an institution with traditional classrooms, but rather experience real working environments at a vocational learning resource centre. Individuals that learn and work at the campus are able to directly relate to peoples’ life in the outside world, be it in a travel, catering, social care, beauty salon or childcare environment. Throughout the building visitors experience a variety of bold and subtle coloured furniture, each matched to suit the theme of the designated curriculum area. From child-friendly furniture in the College’s own crèche facility; sleek and modern finishes in the restaurant; comfortable bean bags in the gaming suite to airport lounge replicates in the travel and tourism teaching area; a moving and flexible stage in the art department; nail stations, beds and curtains for the hair and beauty department and fancy ‘Polo’ and ‘Driade Nemo’ seating in the entrance area – in co-operation with the College Claremont’s team chose and installed it all. Claremont’s team also ensured they matched the College’s corporate branding in some of the staff areas, including the Principal’s office. All levels are peppered with individual soft seating, again, all colours co-ordinated to match accompanied areas.

The Result

Learners and the wider community now have access to  new services and facilities, including a restaurant, café, theatre and beauty salon, making the College a vibrant and fun place to be. The new building and its furniture reflects a forward thinking, innovative education facility for more effective and efficient learning and since opening the College has increased their student footfall and revenue as a result of an improved up-take of the commercial facilities. Claremont is proud to have delivered this project on time and in budget.