A £12 million scheme to transform Bradford University’s School of Management is in its final phase.

Work started on the campus, near Lister Park, two years ago and a refit to update the main Emm Lane Building is now complete.

Planning permission is pending to go ahead with the last stage which would see the former library, the Yvette Jacobson Building, replaced by offices and teaching space. The building would be linked to the Emm Lane nerve-centre as a result. A small Grade Two-listed building to the rear of the site, the Coach House, is earmarked for conversion from a teaching block to offices for the School of Law and a student accommodation block would be refurbished.

The work that has already been done has brought facilities up to 21st century standards.

Among its new features is a brightly-lit atrium, lined with pine joists beneath its glass roof, where students can access a cafe and plug in their laptops at seated areas.

Around 1,000 students study at the site. It offers undergraduate and post-graduate courses, and executive study, such as one-year MBAs.

Professor Arthur Francis, dean of the School of Management, said: “By bringing in an atrium we have a central space which is a fabulous place to socialise and have group discussions. It’s completely transformed the way our students use the campus.”

“One of our objectives has also been to create more office space to provide a better service to the students.”

Marketing director Carolyn Holroyde said: “It’s about extending the facilities, changing the use of different areas and feedback from students has been great.”

Sir Ken Morrison, founder of Bradford-based supermarket Morrisons, has been invited to officially open the Emm Lane Building this summer.