Concertus and Barnes to deliver first Esports facility in the region - Barnes Construction

A £1.65 million renovation is currently underway on a vacant building in Long Street at the University of Suffolk’s Ipswich campus, which will feature a combination of teaching and recreational space including more than 40 gaming-spec PCs, professional-grade broadcast gallery and a live studio purpose-built for broadcasting and live-streaming.

Concertus is partnering with the University of Suffolk to deliver the facility which will be built by Barnes.

The project will transform the existing Long Street building into a dynamic space designed to support the new BA (Hons) Esports course, launching in September 2025. It will also serve as a hub for the Esports society, offering a space to play, compete, and connect.

Charlie Smith, Course Leader for BA (Hons) Esports, said:

“We’ve already had lots of interest in our brand new Esports course launching this September, and the £1.65 million facility will be a real draw for students to join our programme.

With more than 40 gaming PCs, live-streaming facilities and a broadcast gallery, our learners will benefit from industry-standard technology to bolster their experience before they even graduate into the industry.”

The new facilities will also allow students to compete in national and global tournaments, online showpiece matches, and charity events.

Kelly Content, Associate for Architecture at Concertus, said:

“We’re excited to bring this project to life in collaboration with the Estates Directorate at the University of Suffolk, delivering one of East Anglia’s first Esports facilities. The building will include a teaching facility on the ground floor, with a broadcast room, podcasting suite, and gaming zone on the first floor”.

The demolition phase is set to begin on 14^th April, followed immediately by construction. The project will undergo a complete refurbishment, including external landscaping, architectural enhancements, interior design upgrades, and a complete overhaul of building services. The transformation will also include a full fit-out with signage and LED lighting, creating an immersive Esports gaming experience for new students.

Associate Divisional Director, Damien Kerry said:

“Barnes is really pleased to be able to continue its close relationship with the University of Suffolk to deliver an exciting new space for an exciting new curriculum. We look forward to working closely with Concertus and the University to deliver another excellent project for them.”

With high-quality live streaming and remote broadcasting capabilities, the facility will be equipped to host events within the University and the wider Esports industry.

Nigel Lucker, Director of Estates at the University of Suffolk said:

“This is an exciting time for us as we invest in new courses and facilities. These exciting new Esports facilities will not only attract students to come and study with us but will also give them the key skills to embark on their careers in this dynamic new sector. “We are delighted to be working with Concertus and Barnes Construction. This collaboration aims to leverage local expertise and resources to ensure the success of this project”.