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The main aims of the renovation of the Atkins Building were:
“The Atkins family were central to the history of Hinckley over several centuries through their continued ownership of the hosiery company.
It is considered apt that a building that housed one of the most innovative hosiery firms in the country is about to become a hub for contemporary creative businesses. The huge numbers of Hinckley people who over the years worked at the factory, the large numbers of local Hinckley businesses that relied on custom from those working there; and the local, national and international significance of Hinckley's hosiery industry which was focused on the Atkins site from 1722 onwards all go towards making the rehabilitation of this magnificent building such an important event for the town.”
The project reclaimed 0.8ha of Brownfield land and 43,055sq ft of Grade II listed building dated from 1875 and designed by architects Goddard and Paget of Leicester.
Hinckley & Bosworth BC's ambitious intervention provided a unique opportunity for North Warwickshire and Hinckley College to develop a campus adjacent to the Atkins building. The college which opened to students in September 2011 intends to focus solely on creative courses and promote a synergy between the two projects with students using the space to work in and gaining experience alongside innovative creative new-start companies.