SOUTH Essex College is set for an ambitious £5million upgrade to seal its reputation as a specialist centre for arts, dance and music.

The college, in Luker Road, Southend, will be redesigned to accommodate the state-of-the-art facilities in addition to an impressive learning environment for health and social care students.

The move comes as the college prepares to open its doors to its new £9million digital technology campus in Basildon in January.

South Essex College spokesman, Ruby Chittenden, said: “Opening our new campus in the heart of Basildon town centre in January will mean we can relocate the college’s digital and technology provision to this centre. This will free up some space at our Southend campus in Luker Road.

“We plan to use this space in Southend to redevelop the dining decks and teaching areas for health and social care, performing arts, dance and music so our students have the very best state-of-the-art facilities to enhance their learning environment.”

Kevin Robinson, Southend councillor responsible for business culture and tourism, welcomed the news.

He said: “Southend has had a good reputation for the creative arts for a long time. We have a very well developed creative sector.

“It is good that the college is developing this further.

“I’m looking forward to 2021 and a renaissance of performing arts in Southend.”

The college has come a long way since it began as an art school in 1899 before becoming an arts and technology college in 1991. In 2004, it relocated from its Carnarvon Road site to a £52million new campus in the heart of Southend.

The new building, off Southend High Street, quickly expanded to include the new Forum library, neighbouring the Essex University campus and nearby student accommodation.

Former Southend Council leader Nigel Holdcroft said: “This is a very encouraging investment. Southend already has a an excellent academic offering and this will be great.

“I was there when the foundations were laid for the new college library. It is good to see the continued investment there.”

The Basildon college campus is on track to open in January after Chris Travers, director of contractor Morgan Sindall handed over the keys to their landmark building.

Angela O’Donoghue, principal and chief executive at South Essex College, said: “We are extremely excited to open our new digital centre in Basildon in January. It’s been a long journey but local young people will soon be able to benefit from the excellent facilities on offer, students learning there will make up the technology workforce of the future.”

The college’s Centre for Digital Technologies in Basildon town centre will house equipment for students on courses with a tech focus including IT networking, app development, games design and animation.

The three-storey, landmark building has been built on the previous market site thanks to a partnership between Basildon Council, Homes England and South Essex College.

Morgan Sindall worked hard to finish this campus in time for the new year despite the challenges Covid-19.