Blackpool Sixth Form College, Lancashire

Blackpool Sixth Form College is located in Blackpool, Lancashire, and offers a wide range of academic and vocational courses for students aged 16-19. The college is committed to providing an outstanding learning environment supplemented by modern, well-maintained buildings.

Recently, essential refurbishment was needed for two of the college’s key buildings, the Holland Building and the Alt Building, to ensure their appearance and structural integrity matched the high standards of the institution. Cladding Coatings was contracted to carry out the external renovations, delivering long-lasting solutions tailored to meet the college’s requirements.

At the Holland Building, the project focused on re-painting and refinishing. Specifically, the external windows and panels were treated with a high-performance 15-year protective coating system, ensuring long-term durability and aesthetic enhancement. The work also included refinishing the upper roof windows, which required careful preparation and execution. To access the upper sections of the building, scaffold tower equipment was utilised, ensuring safety and precision during the project.

The carefully chosen 15-year system not only provided a robust and weather-resistant finish but also revitalised the appearance of the building. This system guarantees reliable protection from harsh environmental elements, reducing the need for future maintenance and contributing to the sustainability goals of the college.

The Alt Building required a more extensive overhaul to ensure the structure remained both functional and visually appealing. A 15-year cladding coatings system was applied to all four walls of the building’s metal cladding, restoring its appearance while providing long-lasting weatherproof protection. The process also involved replacing around 40-50 linear metres of drip cills, which had deteriorated over time and needed renewal to maintain proper drainage and prevent further damage.

Additional repairs included:

• Cap Flashing Repairs: Four damaged and corroded steel cap flashings on the front elevation were removed and replaced with new, purpose-made steel cap flashings, designed to match the existing structure seamlessly.

• Cladding Sheet Replacement: Seven damaged and corroded steel cladding sheets were replaced with custom-coated steel sheets, ensuring the new components blended perfectly with the current cladding design.

Altogether, these upgrades significantly enhanced the building’s weather resistance, structural integrity, and visual presentation.

At Cladding Coatings, we adopt a systematic, reliable approach to meet our clients’ needs efficiently and effectively. For the Blackpool Sixth Form College project, we began with a comprehensive survey. This initial phase is critical to identify all areas requiring repair or enhancement and to formulate a detailed work plan tailored to the buildings’ specifications.

We prepared the surfaces by cleaning and removing any dirt, corrosion, or debris that could impact the adhesion and longevity of the new coatings. Following surface preparation, we applied our high-performance coatings system using proven techniques that ensured even coverage and accuracy.

For the replacement elements, such as the drip cills, cap flashings, and cladding sheets on the Alt Building, precise measurements were taken to ensure the new components were purpose-made to exact specifications. Our skilled team carried out the installation with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring the final result was both functional and visually consistent with the existing design.

Safety was a paramount priority throughout the project, and all work was conducted in line with strict health and safety regulations. The use of scaffold towers allowed us to access hard-to-reach areas safely and provided stability for detailed work on the upper sections of both buildings.

The refurbishment of the Holland and Alt Buildings at Blackpool Sixth Form College has made a significant positive impact on the overall condition and appearance of the campus. The use of robust, weather-resistant systems ensures the college benefits from long-term protection, reducing the need for costly maintenance in the coming years. Our high-performance coatings and careful workmanship have rejuvenated the exterior surfaces, revitalising the buildings in line with the college’s commitment to quality and excellence.

This project highlights Cladding Coatings’ ability to deliver tailored solutions for educational institutions, balancing aesthetic improvements with functional durability. We are proud to have supported Blackpool Sixth Form College in enhancing their facilities for staff, students, and visitors alike.

For more examples of our work on education facilities, click here.