Old ritual to bring luck to new university building

A topping out ceremony was conducted at the multi-million pound Bishop Otter development, which is due to be completed in January 2017.

The ritual, which is said to bring prosperity, involved pouring oil, corn, wine, and salt over the building, and was carried out when construction reached its maximum height.

Once complete, the new building will be used to house a specialist IT room, a security operations room, a Student Union shop and a semi-spring floor that could be used as dance, cinema and theatre space.

University vice-chancellor Professor Clive Behagg said: “The new development will provide a world-class learning environment for the next generation of students at Chichester.

“We are committed to providing an outstanding learning experience and will continue to invest in both our Chichester and Bognor Regis campuses to ensure that teaching spaces meet the creative, physical, and technological needs of our community.”

Work is also underway on a multi-million pound redevelopment of the music block at the Chichester campus.

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