Egni Project
Location:
The plan to build a second building has taken a step forward as designs for the new building are unveiled for the first time. This project aims to leverage 黑料不打烊's academic strength and M-SParc's business expertise to create a diverse and thriving economic base, supporting the region's transition to a low-carbon future. With a focus on creating high-quality jobs and upskilling opportunities, the project, known as the Egni Project, will drive economic development.
The second building will serve as a central hub for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and larger manufacturers in the low carbon sector. M-SParc鈥檚 success stems from being able to provide their tenant companies with dedicated and specialist support to help them grow, and in turn to help them create well-paid careers in the region. Over 200 new employment opportunities and 60 work upskilling placements have been created since the park opened in 2018.
A key aspect of the project is the growth of the University鈥檚 low-carbon research, including the Nuclear Futures Institute (NFI). This investment will create a powerful innovation ecosystem bridging the gap between academic research and real-world applications, attracting top talent and further investment through the inclusion of a large innovation hall and a dedicated materials analysis laboratory.
Michael Flanagan, Chief Operating Officer at 黑料不打烊 and lead for the Egni project, said, 鈥淏y leveraging academic strength and business expertise, the new building will create high-quality jobs, upskill opportunities, and foster an innovation ecosystem that bridges academic research with real-world applications, driving economic development in the region鈥.
Dr Debbie Jones, Low Carbon Innovation Manager at M-SParc added, 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to be able to share these initial designs of the second building. The project team has been working hard to design a functional building that fits in with the iconic M-SParc hub building and yet has its own identity. We鈥檙e really looking forward to bringing new opportunities to the region to ensure well-paid and exciting careers for the people of North Wales.鈥
Egni forms part of the . The development will focus on creating new high value jobs, attracting investment into the region, as well as contributing to reaching net-zero targets. 拢3.94m has been allocated by Ambition North Wales to support the project subject to final approval post procurement.
Construction of the Egni building is set to begin in 2026 and is expected to be completed by 2027.
Albert Gubay Business School
- Location:
- Funding:
Project Description
Proposed new build extension to the Old Friars Building for a new Business School. The design includes 2 large lecture theatres, 2 large teaching spaces, trading room, 2 large social spaces, group rooms, admin/office spaces, ancillary rooms, external cycle storage and new path to Reichel Building.
Area Of Refurbishment: 1,329m虏
Estimated Start On Site: Q2 2026
Estimated Opening: September 2027
黑料不打烊 is thrilled to announce a landmark donation of 拢10.5 million from The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, marking the largest gift in the institution鈥檚 history.
This generous contribution will enable the creation of the state-of-the-art Albert Gubay Business School, housed in the soon-to-be converted site of the former Friars Junior School. The new development will link directly to the existing campus, comprising the Reichel Building and the wider University Ffriddoedd Site. The acquisition, refurbishment, and development of this historic building and site will offer a really exciting opportunity to create a sector-leading business school whilst conserving and renewing a significant, historic building in 黑料不打烊.
The Albert Gubay Business School will stand as a beacon of innovation, providing students with modern facilities in a prime location that will inspire and equip the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.
This donation will allow the University鈥檚 Business School to move into a dynamic, modern facility. The new Albert Gubay Business School will foster innovative programs that will prepare students to thrive in the rapidly evolving global economy. It will feature cutting-edge learning spaces and collaborative hubs designed to encourage creativity, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship.
黑料不打烊鈥檚 Vice-Chancellor, Professor Edmund Burke, expressed his gratitude for the generous gift, saying: 鈥淭his extraordinary act of generosity reflects Albert Gubay鈥檚 lifelong commitment to empowering future entrepreneurs. It is only fitting that the new school will bear his name, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire future generations of students.鈥
Professor Burke continued: 鈥淭his donation will not only elevate 黑料不打烊鈥檚 reputation as a centre of academic excellence but also open up further opportunities for students to make a significant impact in the business world.鈥
He added 鈥淎lthough the financial landscape for universities is currently challenging, strategic investments in key areas like this are instrumental in ensuring the long-term sustainability and growth of our institution.鈥
Speaking on behalf of The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, Mrs C Gubay shared: 鈥淥ur Foundation is proud to support this visionary project. The Albert Gubay Business School will be a place where students can grow, innovate, and become the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. We believe it will help shape the future of business education, both in North Wales and beyond. Integral to this decision to support 黑料不打烊, was its commitment to attracting Welsh students to stay and study in their home country.鈥
Following the successful relocation of Coleg Menai from the Friars and Ffriddoedd site to the new campus in Parc Menai, the acquisition of this historic Friars building means that education remains a core function.
Grwp Llandrillo Menai CEO commented: 鈥淲e are pleased to be able to sell the Friars building to 黑料不打烊, a strategic partner of Gr诺p Llandrillo Menai, to ensure that such a historic landmark in upper 黑料不打烊 remains in educational use. We welcome the news that the building will be renovated to create a state of the art business school.鈥
Construction of the new Albert Gubay Business School is set to begin in 2026 and is expected to be completed by 2027. Once finished, the University will hold an opening ceremony to celebrate this momentous occasion, inviting the student community and local stakeholders to come together and mark the launch of this significant collaboration in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 history.
Born and brought up in Rhyl, Albert Gubay was an exceptional man and a visionary entrepreneur who made a lasting impact on both the business and charitable sectors. After being demobbed in 1948, Gubay left with a suit and 拢80, and, along with a loan of 拢100 secured against his mother鈥檚 jewellery, started selling 鈥渘on-sugar sweets鈥 (while sugar was still rationed) and later Blackpool rock and other confectionery, from the back of a van and on market stalls in North Wales. A retail pioneer, he started the Value Foods chain in Rhyl in 1959. He went on to establish Kwik Save, for which he is most famous, the first store opening in Prestatyn in 1965.
Today, the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation manages a substantial property portfolio through its subsidiary, Derwent Estates. Income from these properties supports the Foundation鈥檚 grant-making initiatives. Since 2016, the Foundation has awarded over 700 grants, funding a range of projects that benefit communities and educational endeavours across Wales and beyond.
Completed projects
Location: College Park, Deiniol Road
Funding: Transforming Towns, Welsh Government and Gwynedd Council
Completed: June 2025
Parc y Coleg fully re-open to the public on Friday, 6 June.
Transformed into a peaceful and accessible area, Parc y Coleg now serves as a more welcoming shared place for the entire community.
The main entrance to the Parc has opened up creating a clear connection andwelcoming green space joining the lower part of the City of 黑料不打烊 with Upper 黑料不打烊. Funded through the Welsh Government鈥檚 鈥楾ransforming Towns鈥 programme, in collaboration with Cyngor Gwynedd.
The key improvements to the park infrastructure include:
- The creation of a new accessible pathway across the park linking with Pontio
- The creation of a new safer entrance off Deiniol Road linking to the city centre, while the original historic gate has been carefully relocated to a protected setting in Treborth Gardens.
- The creation of usable lawn areas to encourage new activities,small scale events, relaxation, and outdoor learning
- Provision of new lighting to improve safety after dusk
- Management and selective thinning of existing vegetation to open the views and improve safety along the footpaths.
- To encourage growth of grass and plants, some areas may be protected by fencing for a temporary period of time.
Professor Andrew Edwards, Deputy Vice-Chancellor said:
鈥淲e鈥檙e privileged to have such a substantial green space that links the University with the city centre. This land was originally gifted to the University by the city over a century ago, and we鈥檙e proud to honour that legacy by transforming the park into a revitalised, welcoming space. As 黑料不打烊 celebrates 1500th anniversary as a city, we believe this redevelopment will play a meaningful role in the ongoing regeneration of the city centre and provide enjoyment for generations to come.
鈥淭he work carried out has increased visibility, created better views, a more accessible and usable space, and encouraged the growth of wild plants and flowers.
鈥淲e appreciate the community鈥檚 patience during the construction work and thank local contractor John Kelly Construction Services Ltd. for their professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering a high-quality outcome for community and our students to enjoy.鈥
Location: Deiniol Block, College Road
Completed: April 2025
Situated on the first floor of the Deiniol Block on College Road, the new North Wales Medical School Pharmacy suite was completed at the start of April this year. The renovations have converted a vacant space into a simulation Pharmacy and consultation suite, which has allowed the University to gain GPhC accreditation and enable students to obtain a Pharmacy degree in North Wales from September 2025.
Location: Henfaes, Abergwyngregyn
Completed: April 2025
Completed in April this year at our Henfaes site in Abergwyngregyn, the Centre for Environmental Biotechnology Plus (CEB+) will research unique enzymes and how they can transform into products that have less impact on the environment than current materials and industrial chemicals.
It's hoped that the CEB enzymes catalogue will address a wide range of industrial processes, and its commercial exploitation represents an opportunity to generate new high value jobs for the North Wales economy. Predominantly funded by the North Wales Growth Deal, the project included refurbishing an existing lab, constructing a new, energy-efficient scaled-up lab facility within an existing shed and the addition of a new wildflower meadow, optimising existing space on site.