Miller Knight complete £1.3m extensive refurbishment works at Nottingham College’s Grade II listed Stoney Street campus

Leading multi-discipline principal contractor Miller Knight has divulged completion of £1.3 million refurbishment project at Nottingham College’s historic Stoney Street campus, marking a new chapter in a long-standing partnership.

Located in the historic Lace Market district, Nottingham College’s School of Art is home to over 2,500 students enrolled in art and design courses. Procured via the Pagabo DPS, Miller Knight was appointed over a span of 23 weeks for a renovation projected to rejuvenate one of the city’s most significant Grade II listed buildings, reinforcing the college’s status as a centre of excellence in education.

Established two decades ago, Miller Knight has built a reputation for delivering complex and sensitive regeneration and refurbishment projects across the UK for the public and private sectors, with specialised divisions working across a span of sectors, such as education, health, blue light and residential, offering tailored solutions for each.

The contractor’s results-driven approach, rooted in compliance and collaboration, has been central to its continued partnership with Nottingham College. This latest project involved a comprehensive transformation of four floors at 25 Stoney Street, enhancing both the building’s functionality and its historic character.

Key upgrades included the installation of energy-efficient solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and LED lighting, alongside extensive refurbishments of teaching spaces, windows, and WC facilities. Remarkably, the work was carried out while the campus remained fully operational. This required meticulous planning and close coordination with the college’s senior management to minimise disruption to teaching and exams. Sensitive working practices were adopted throughout to ensure minimal impact on students and staff.

Dave Swift, Construction Manager at Miller Knight, said: “The team at Miller Knight and our key contractors are delighted to deliver another successful scheme for Nottingham College, EDGE, and Pagabo. It was a difficult project to deliver logistically, but the entire team have worked closely with the college to complete with minimum inconvenience.

“The team even managed to bring into the programme some essential additional repairs to the Grade II listed building to go above and beyond on the project, aligning the college with contemporary standards for education and sustainability, while honouring the building’s historical significance.”

Gary McGinty, Director of Estates and Capital Projects at Nottingham College, added: ” We are fortunate to have such a beautiful Grade II listed building as part of the Nottingham College estate, but maintaining such a historic building can present unique challenges.

“Partnering with Miller Knight on the four-floor refurbishment has been a truly collaborative effort, transforming the space back into a high-quality education setting where our students can thrive. The addition of photovoltaic panels and LED lighting is also another significant step towards our goal to become carbon neutral by 2030.”

Miller Knight’s ability to manage projects in live environments while delivering environmental, modern solutions has been a key driver of the team’s success across the public and private sectors. Known for its expertise in handling complex and sensitive projects, the construction firm has grown to provide comprehensive principal contractor services, enhanced by its certification as fully accredited fire protection installers.

This successful refurbishment at Nottingham College exemplifies Miller Knight’s commitment to supporting the education sector, delivering future-proofed learning and working environments that support students and staff alike.