AN ICONIC city centre clock has been given a face lift as the countdown begins ahead of the opening of a new college campus.
The clock is located on the former Russell and Dorrell furniture store which is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment.
The building will be transformed into Worcester College of Technology’s new learning quarter which will provide hair and beauty training salons and art and design studios for its students.
And Richard Clarke, assistant site manager at contractors Speller Metcalfe, said it was important to include the clock as part of the project, which is expected to be completed ahead of the start of the 2014/15 academic year.
“The clock is very recognisable in Worcester,” he said. “We decided to add a new clock, inspired by the design of the previous clock, and we think it now complements the contemporary look of the building.”
Meanwhile, the college has revealed the building will be named St Dulstan’s after a former bishop of Worcester. A competition was held in October which asked staff and students to come up with a name before Will Griffith, leader of computing, was chosen as the winner.
Mr Griffith said: “The names of existing college buildings seemed to have a common theme of Saints. I discovered there were two other saints who were ex-bishops of Worcester, St Oswald and St Dunstan who both promoted education.
“St Dunstan was also well known for his mastery of many kinds of artistic craftsmanship and therefore was the ideal choice to name the building hosting artistic and design activities.”
