A local college group has officially opened a new adult learning hub in a former Stafford bank.

Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) announced the purchase of the former NatWest Bank building located at 41 Greengate Street, in January.

The three-storey building – which has been closed since June 2025 - has now been transformed into NSCG in Town, a multi-purpose educational facility for adult learners.

While adult learners previously attended classes on the main campus on Earl Street, the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology on Castle Street and various community venues, they are now able to attend their own adult-only venue in the town centre.

Navarda Garside, Director of Adult Education at NSCG said: "Now we've got a building, we can help learners to progress as far as they want.

"Because we can offer from pre-entry to level 6, a learner can join us here and get themselves a degree at the end.

"It might take a while, but they'll get that qualification that they need to go and get the job that they want."

He added: "Adult education is for everybody, no matter what background or what experience they've got.

"If they can't read or write, there's a place for them here - it's about helping them to take that first little step.

"If we can help them take that little step, they will grow and grow and grow.

"And that will also help the economy, and it'll help the businesses locally."

The new facility features modern seminar rooms, quiet tutorial and work spaces, and a dedicated IT suite.

NSCG also hopes that the town centre location will also promote collaboration between the learning hub and local businesses.

Craig Hodgson, Principal and Chief Executive of NSCG, said: "We have been growing our adult provision over the last couple of years, and we've reached a point where we've got huge demand for adult courses.

"What we're trying to do is bring together the objectives of meeting the needs of our adult learners while also bringing additional footfall to the town centre."

Representatives from Stafford Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council and the local MP Leigh Ingham attended the official launch event on Friday (4 September).

Two adult learners – Natalie and Gueysu – also received awards at the event which recognised their remarkable progress and positive impact on the community.

Craig Hodgson added: "These two absolutely amazing learners, against the odds, have done programmes in English and maths and have been truly fantastic.

"When you hear these stories, you recognise the importance of these courses to the learners.

"It's confidence, it's skills in maths and English, and it's employability. Both award winners have gone on to gainful employment and that is amazing."

Award winner Natalie, 37, said: "It's helped me to grow my confidence, meet new people, learn new skills and develop my learning."

Speaking at the launch event, Stafford MP Leigh Ingham said: "I see Stafford College as the hub of our town.

"I think it's the place that has the aspiration and the skills to give this town what it needs to develop and grow even further"

To the adult learners about to embark on their journey at NSCG, she added: "You're in the best place you could possibly be to do what you want to do next because you're not going to get better support anywhere else".

To find out more about NSCG, visit the website here.

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