£300m plan launched

Leicester University has unveiled a £300 million, 30-year expansion plan and has appointed a businessman to lead its fundraising.

Nicholas Corah, whose clothing manufacturing company once employed more than 5,000 people across the Midlands and the north of England, has the job of finding the cash to fund what is described as the biggest expansion and refurbishment plan at the university since the 1960s.

Mr Corah's business expertise is key to the plan as the university intends to raise much of the cash by improving its links with the corporate and professional sectors.

An immediate priority is to pump £10 million into library facilities, doubling their size and introducing the latest technology. Close to £30 million has already been allocated, including £20 million for a biomedical sciences building.

Just under £4 million has been invested in a new space research and multidisciplinary modelling centre. There is also £2.5 million to refurbish chemistry teaching and research accommodation.

A £500,000 refurbishment of the building housing the School of Archaeology and Ancient History has also been given the go-ahead.

Vice-chancellor Robert Burgess said: "This is more than a programme of capital development. We are recognised as a top 20 university and we will develop our academic programmes to maintain and enhance our position."