Regional law firm Foot Anstey has advised Weston College on the transfer of ownership of Weston-super-Mare’s iconic Winter Gardens to enable it to create a new Law and Professional Services Academy.
Contracts have been exchanged with the previous owners North Somerset District Council, with Foot Anstey head of real estate Richard Walford leading the transaction. 
The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has earmarked £15m for the college to develop the new academy on the seafront site, as well as restoring the historic 1920s Winter Gardens ballroom, pictured, to its former glory and keeping it available for wider community use.
The college hopes the project will act as a catalyst to bring significantly more students to the town, and play a key role in the council’s bold plans to create a modern and vibrant town centre.
Foot Anstey has worked with Weston College in a number of different ways including supporting its legal training programmes. The firm recently took on apprentices from the college on a new three-year law programme which gives them training and education to develop them to Legal Assistants in the firm while earning a wage.
Foot Anstey head of education Duncan Tringham said: “This is a major project for Weston-super-Mare and the investment is welcome to rejuvenate this prominent building and bring resources to help build on Weston’s growing reputation.”
Weston College principal and chief executive Dr Paul Phillips OBE added: “I am delighted that North Somerset councillors have granted planning permission for this exciting development.
“This facility will meet the needs of employers and continue to raise Weston-super-Mare’s reputation nationally as a centre of excellence for education and training in addition it will make a significant contribution towards the regeneration of the town centre, and also secure a bright future for this prominent building which will once again become a jewel in Weston’s crown.”
