Wrexham University set to deliver £22m Business Gateway following funding approval

Date: Friday, March 27, 2025

Wrexham University is set to deliver the largest single capital project in its history after confirmation that it is on track to receive funding from Ambition North Wales for the development of the Wrexham Business Gateway.

The landmark £22m project will create a new civic and economic hub at the heart of the University campus, strengthening connections between education, enterprise, and the wider community, while supporting regional growth across North Wales. It represents a major investment in Wrexham and the surrounding region, reinforcing the University’s role as an anchor institution.

The Wrexham Business Gateway will provide a shared space for students, entrepreneurs, businesses, and partners to collaborate, innovate, and grow. Designed to connect city, campus, and community, the building will act as a visible and welcoming focal point for enterprise, skills development, and knowledge exchange.

The project has been developed in close collaboration with regional partners, including Wrexham AFC, reflecting a shared ambition to position Wrexham as a place to grow, invest, and lead. Together, the University and its partners aim to ensure the Gateway delivers lasting value for the city, its people, and its economy.

The development is also supported by the North Wales Investment Zone, which is contributing £4m to the project. This investment highlights the University’s commitment to supporting high-value manufacturing and advanced industries, providing facilities and collaborative space to help businesses innovate, scale, and attract further private investment.

Once complete, the Wrexham Business Gateway will be the largest single capital investment ever delivered by Wrexham University and a flagship component of its wider Campus 2030 vision. It is expected to support job creation, skills development, business growth, and private investment, helping to future-proof the regional economy.

The Wrexham Business Gateway will also become the new home of Wrexham Business School, further strengthening the University’s offer in leadership, innovation, and professional development. The announcement follows the recent appointment of Ruth Slater as Dean of Wrexham Business School, bringing new leadership at a pivotal moment in the School’s development.

Professor Joe Yates, Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham University, said: “The Wrexham Business Gateway is more than a building – it’s a platform for transformation. It represents our ambition to connect education with enterprise and opportunity, and to play a leading role in shaping a stronger, more innovative regional economy.”

Dr Ruth Slater, Dean of Wrexham Business School, added: “The Wrexham Business Gateway creates a powerful new home for Wrexham Business School, bringing business, learning, and leadership together in one place. It will play a vital role in developing regional talent, supporting enterprise, and strengthening the skills needed for long-term economic growth.”

Paul Moran, Capital Projects Manager at Wrexham University, said from design to delivery, the University worked closely with partners to create a space where students, businesses, and the wider community can thrive. “We’re proud to see this landmark project come to life,” he added.

The Wrexham Business Gateway will offer a range of flexible, future-facing facilities, including space for start-ups and business incubation, innovation and digital labs, leadership and professional development provision, public-facing clinics, and areas for events, collaboration, and community engagement. It will also support closer working with regional partners, including Wrexham AFC, employers, civic organisations, and public services.

The project is expected to play a key role in Wrexham’s wider regeneration, helping to attract investment, support job creation and retention, and create new opportunities for learners and businesses across the region.