Former Barker Perkins Apprentice School, Home to Virgin Media
The former Barker Perkins Apprentice School on Westfield Road in Peterborough is now home to Virgin Media. The school was built in 1954 and was used to train apprentices for the Baker Perkins engineering company. Baker Perkins was a major employer in Peterborough for many years, but it closed its Westwood Works factory in 2003.
The Apprentice School remained empty for several years after Baker Perkins closed. However, in 2010, it was acquired by Virgin Media and converted into a data centre. Data centres are buildings that house computer systems and telecommunications equipment. They are essential for the storage and processing of data, and they are becoming increasingly important as more and more people use the internet.
The former Apprentice School is well-suited for use as a data centre. It is located on a large, secure site with good access to power and telecommunications. The building is also very energy-efficient, which is important for a data centre.
Virgin Media has invested heavily in the former Apprentice School. The company has installed new computer systems and telecommunications equipment, and it has also made improvements to the building's security and energy efficiency.
The former Apprentice School is now a major data centre for Virgin Media. It is used to store and process data for Virgin Media's customers across the UK. The data centre is also used to support Virgin Media's other businesses, such as its television and broadband services.
The former Apprentice School is a reminder of Peterborough's industrial past. However, it is also a symbol of the city's future. The data centre is a major investment in Peterborough's economy, and it is helping to create jobs and drive economic growth.
