London’s largest adult education centre gets £5.8m for refurb of ‘iconic’ building
London’s largest centre for adult education is set for a multi-million pound makeover after receiving a government grant.
Morley College London has been awarded a £5.8million grant by the Department for Education (DfE) to improve and refurbish the Waterloo Centre for Adult Education in Westminster Bridge Road.
With centres in North Kensington, Chelsea and Waterloo, Morley College offers more than 2,000 courses from visual arts and painting to art history, music education and music production courses.
The Waterloo Centre for Adult Education is one of the country’s oldest and largest specialist providers of adult education, founded in 1889 by activist Emma Cons.
Principal Bushra Iqbal said: “The Waterloo Centre has been home to adult learners for more than one hundred years.
“This capital investment will make exciting improvements to our performance space and facilities which will enhance the architecture and art that already make the Waterloo Centre so special for our community of adult learners, visitors and partners.”
Work will start this week and is expected to be completed in autumn 2025.
The major project will insulate and refurbish the roof to transform the centre’s energy efficiency in a college-wide drive to achieve net zero by 2040.
Refurbishment will also see the centre’s main performance space, the Emma Cons Hall, upgraded with new acoustics, heating systems, infrastructure and improved accessibility.
The Emma Cons Hall opened in 1958 and is well-known for two large-scale murals that span the length of the Hall, painted by artist Martin Froy.
Titled ‘Sun Up’ and ‘Sun Down’, the 555ftx8ft murals will be cleaned and restored this year.
Dr Andrew Gower, chief executive officer and Principal of Morley College London, said: “Learning changes lives, and Morley is all about creating the opportunities through which our students can pursue their passions.
“This investment is much-needed and will create a lasting legacy for future generations of adult learners in London.”
The government grant is allocated to Morley College through the DfE’s Further Education Capital Improvement Fund.
A spokesperson from the DfE said: “Morley College London Waterloo Centre is an iconic building offering essential education for generations of adult learners, especially serving the local communities in Southwark and Lambeth.
“This government is mission-driven to break down the barriers to opportunity and this investment will have lasting impact. Morley College London is providing an excellent adult educational service to the communities of London.”
Pictured top: Morley College London, Waterloo Centre for Adult Education in Westminster Bridge Road (Picture: Morley College London)