Students from the Harper and Keele Veterinary School have started their new academic year in a brand-new facility at Keele University.

The state-of-the-art new building provides a home for the Harper and Keele Veterinary School – a joint venture with Harper Adams University – on Keele’s campus.

Work on the first wing of the building was completed on schedule in time for the start of the new academic year, with construction firm Seddon and developer Noviniti Ltd completing the build in September.

Part of the building will incorporate teaching facilities, a clinical skills centre and a Veterinary School hub, which will be a veterinary ‘home’ for Harper and Keele Veterinary School staff and students on the campus. The other wing of the building will be home to various complementary users when it is completed early next year.

Professor Matt Jones, Head of the Harper and Keele Veterinary School said: “Our staff and students are delighted to be in this wonderful new building and there is a real buzz of excitement. The collaboration spaces are already being extensively used just as envisaged at the outset of the project which is really pleasing.

“There is a feeling of space and calm in these areas, and it brings staff and students together. Our open day took place recently and allowed us to showcase the amazing facilities to the next generation of vets. It’s key to helping us attract the brightest and best students to the Vet School.”

Professor Jonathan Wastling, Pro Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Natural Sciences said: “This landmark building on the Keele campus marks another major milestone in the development of our Vet School; it’s wonderful to see this fantastic facility now being occupied by our veterinary students and staff.”

Marc Hastings, Chief Executive Officer, Noviniti, added: “It has been a great honour and pleasure for Noviniti, working in Partnership with Seddon Construction, to have delivered the new Harper and Keele Veterinary School for Keele University. This state-of-the-art education facility makes a truly great statement show-piece for the campus Science Park. Noviniti, Seddon and the Keele Estates team can be justly proud of what has been achieved in a remarkably short time-frame, especially given the exceptional challenges the last 18 months has brought.”

Jonathan Seddon, chief executive officer at Seddon, said: “It was great to be able to bring this state-of-the-art teaching facility to life, working in close collaboration with the university throughout the programme. The building is designed for learning and will provide veterinary students at Keele with a first-class education in a thriving community for years to come.”