Students open £32m ARU Peterborough facility
The Lab will expand course options, with most programmes starting this January
ARU Peterborough’s new £32 million building, The Lab, has been officially opened by students during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 28 November.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and Peterborough City Council. Students Nimra Hassan, Faaizah Hussain, Kelly De Jesus, Zainab Hafeez, and Shaiza Hassan led the proceedings on behalf of the university’s student body.
Completed in August, The Lab houses state-of-the-art facilities, including microbiology and tissue culture laboratories, engineering workshops, high-quality teaching spaces, and the Living Lab, which will host public engagement events. The building is environmentally sustainable, designed by MCW Architects and constructed by Morgan Sindall Construction, earning an Excellent rating from BREEAM, a globally recognised standard for building sustainability.
Professor Ross Renton, Principal of ARU Peterborough, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with our new building, The Lab. It’s a wonderful addition to the city and our outstanding campus, which has all the facilities needed to meet students’ career goals and ambitions.”
He added: “Unlike many higher education providers, the majority of ARU Peterborough’s undergraduate and postgraduate courses are available to start in January. The opening of The Lab allows us to expand our provision and, for the first time, offer Civil Engineering. Rather than waiting until September, people can begin retraining or learning new skills immediately.”
Councillor Dennis Jones, leader of Peterborough City Council, highlighted the facility’s role in community engagement, saying: “The Lab is a fantastic addition to the city’s university campus. It is designed not only for students but also for public use, helping to grow the next generation of STEM enthusiasts right here in our city.”
He emphasised the local impact: “Subjects have been chosen with input from local employers, ensuring students gain skills relevant to Peterborough’s needs, which will help retain talent and boost local economic growth.”
Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, also praised the collaboration behind the project: “I am delighted to see The Lab officially open. This state-of-the-art facility reflects the successful partnership between the Combined Authority, ARU, and Peterborough City Council, and supports our mission to inspire future generations in science and technology.”
ARU Peterborough, established in 2022, is a collaboration between Anglia Ruskin University, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, and Peterborough City Council.