A solution for the former Groves High School site has now been found thanks to an agreement between Wrexham Council and Coleg Cambria.
The council’s Executive Board today (9.6.26) granted permission to transfer the site to Coleg Cambria – paving the way for the college to expand its education provision in Wrexham.
The Groves High School closed its doors in 2006. The building was then used by council staff for a few years, but has remained empty for more than a decade.
The college says that acquiring the site will help it further meet the education and training needs of students and employers.
Yana Williams, Chief Executive at Coleg Cambria, said: “This is a significant and exciting moment for Coleg Cambria and for Wrexham.
“The Groves has a proud educational heritage and we are delighted to be taking the next step towards bringing the site back into use for learners and the wider community.
“We remain committed to investing in opportunities for young people, supporting employers and helping meet future skills needs.
“This agreement marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the site and we look forward to sharing more about our plans in the months ahead.”
Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, said: “The Groves has been hugely topical for many years, and the council has worked tirelessly to find a solution.
“It’s been really difficult due to the covenants on the land and the decision by Welsh Government to list the building, but we’ve kept going and there is now light at the end of the tunnel.
“Coleg Cambria is a leading provider of education and training in North Wales, and its success is crucial to the region, so this is a fantastic outcome.
“Learners and employers will benefit and it will breathe new life into the Groves. It’s a win-win for Wrexham.”
Recent history of The Groves
- The council-owned site can only be used for educational purposes due to historical legal covenants.
- The building was listed by Welsh Government in 2016 to prevent it being demolished – effectively ending council aspirations to build a new modern school on the site.
- In 2019, a healthcare company expressed an interest in developing a medical training facility at the Groves. There were detailed talks, but the proposals eventually fell through.
- At the same time, Wrexham AFC explored options to develop training facilities on the former school playing fields, but the site wasn’t large enough.
- In 2023, the Groves was shortlisted as a potential location for a new National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales, but the project was later scrapped by Welsh Government due to lack of funding.
- In June 2026 the council’s Executive Board agreed to transfer the site to Coleg Cambria – allowing it to expand its education and training provision in the city.
