10/04/2026: Council seeks to appoint suppliers for proposed Thetford Campus Project

Specialist teams are expected to soon be appointed to carry out initial design and survey work which could bring Thetford's proposed life-long learning campus one step closer. 

Having recently secured initial funding to develop the concept, Breckland Council is seeking experts who can carry out an independent assessment of a potential site in the town and confirm whether it is a viable location for the campus to be constructed. 

The suppliers will be tasked with assessing the town's Minstergate area, which has been identified by West Suffolk College as an ideal site for the new campus. The site is next to Thetford bus station and close to the train station for good accessibility. 

The site is also close to London Road, so has the potential to become a highly-visible landmark, and sits within the town centre, which would help drive footfall onto the high street.

Nikos Savvas OBE, CEO of Eastern Education Group, said: "We are incredibly excited to be working in partnership with Breckland Council to explore how we can bring new life-long learning opportunities into the heart of Thetford. This project is about opening doors and creating a welcoming, accessible campus that supports young people, adults, and local employers, and helps residents gain the skills they need to succeed. 

"Minstergate has the potential to become a true learning landmark for the town, and we look forward to the findings of the surveys as we take this important step towards delivering more opportunity for the Thetford community." 

Thetford Neighbourhood Board Chair, Jo Pearson DL, commented: "From a Pride in Place perspective, this is exactly the kind of transformative investment that the people of Thetford told us to spend their £20m on, when they helped us to put together their "Plan ...forThetford" last summer. They told us they wanted some of that £20m to go towards education, skills and training. A life-long learning campus at Minstergate would not only breathe new life into a key part of our town centre, but send a powerful signal that Thetford is a place where people can learn, grow, and build their futures without having to leave their community. 

"The Neighbourhood Board warmly welcomes this progress and the collaborative spirit between Breckland Council and Eastern Education Group. A highly visible landmark at the gateway to our town centre, with excellent transport links, could be a real catalyst for wider regeneration, bringing more people into the heart of Thetford and supporting our high street." 

The council expects to appoint contractors over the spring, who will then carry out their surveys and initial design work before submitting a report around the summer. The partners will then use this to assess the viability of the site and secure necessary funding to deliver the campus, including seeking further national investment. 

In the meantime, work is also underway to engage with businesses and other stakeholders currently on or near Thetford Minstergate to seek their views on the proposal.