New video footage shows how £60m Preston development has carried on despite Covid-19

A new time lapse video details the scale of the multi-million pound University of Central Lancashire student centre and civic square project in the city's Adelphi area close to the main Foster campus.

Main contractor Bowmer + Kirkland and its employees have been working under tough restrictions, including social distancing, throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Now their efforts can be seen, above the skyline with the Student Centre’s 450 tonnes of primed steel work in place, reaching 16.5 metres and the special feature timber staircase and cross-laminated timber flooring also on show.

The steel framed centre will house all UCLan student services from next year, including a new reception area, informal learning spaces and a student wellbeing centre, while the Civic Square will provide an outdoor events space for city and community use.

The finished development will also create a greener environment on the previous Adelphi roundabout for students, staff and residents to enjoy, with more 300 new trees being planted and a 50,000-strong bee colony on the roof of the student centre.

Michael Ahearn, the university'chief information and infrastructure officer said: "Our vision is starting to become a reality and it’s exciting to see these world-class facilities taking shape.

" Our next priority is to ensure the student centre is watertight, install the huge glass frontage and then focus our activities on the development of the Civic Square.