Another big, big step forward in Dock-world today – my first visit inside the new TQ campus of the Belfast Metropolitan College.

I had a bit of a root around in my old folders and found a photo (on your left) of the building taken at the start of 2010 – back in the early days of The Dock. Compare and contrast with the pic on your right, taken a few days ago from exactly the same vantage point. It’s been a joy to watch the transformation and construction of this beautiful new building – so imagine my child-with-a-new-toy excitement when I got my first tour around the campus today…

The most striking thing about the campus is the shape – it’s actually a huge square with a massive space in the middle – which will be opened to the public as a nice bit of chillout space in the middle of the TQ, complete with pond and great views of the cranes.  You’ll also be able to avail yourself of some cooking from the catering college students, a haircut from the hairdressing students, and who knows what else…

The facilities are truly impressive – have a look at (respectively) the gym, the hairdressing/beautician stations, and even the spray-tan booth…

The architecture is gorgeous too – check out the view from the library, the impressive entrance lobby seen from above, and the clever lecture theatre/kitchen, in which catering students get to watch professional chefs in action…

Massive thanks to Susie for a brilliant and enthusiastic tour.  It’s that wonderful TQ story again – people who are excited to be here, full of hope and confidence about the opportunities and potential of these fantastic new spaces – hugely inspiring to be around.

And speaking of the fab people of the TQ – despite the fact that it was pelting rain all afternoon while I was exploring BMC, the clouds cleared bang on time (yesss!!) for the Arc BBQ, and another wonderful, friendly bunch of people gathered in the evening sun to eat a selection of beautifully “chargrilled” burgers and hotdogs at The Dock’s pop-up cafe.

Great day!