The new school year started this week for Colruyt Group Academy with the opening of a brand new Academy in Halle. The ground floor of the building at 249 Edingensesteenweg has been completely converted in recent months into a fully-fledged meeting place, with fully equipped kitchens and meeting rooms that can be rented by associations or companies. Everyone is welcome there to follow inspiring and instructive workshops with conscious and healthy living as a common thread running through the activities.
Brand-new infrastructure, where it all started
On Monday 1 September, the renovated Colruyt Group Academy Halle opened at 249 Edingensesteenweg, in the town where it all started for Colruyt Group almost 100 years ago. Ellen Dereymaeker, manager at Colruyt Group Academy explains: "Our learning house in Halle has always been a bit of a "special one": we had two kitchens on the first floor of the building, which very often hosted workshops and children's parties. But the rooms turned out to be a bit too small and the possibilities too limited, and we wanted to go for a more ambitious project in our Halle heimat. In just a few months, our technicians have ensured that beautiful spaces have now been set up for us on the ground floor of the same building. Now we have all the space we need to offer the people of the region a place to meet, be inspired and learn. In a world of conflicting info, we want to be that place where people can get simple and clear insights."
So like the eight other Academies, this will also be an inspiring place where interested parties can learn about topics such as good food and healthy and environmentally conscious living in a connecting and casual way. Weekly workshops are planned that stimulate the taste buds, spark creativity or strengthen practical skills, and there is a Dutch-speaking and a French-speaking offer. Customers can register via the Colruyt Group Academy website.
More than just workshops: flexible and modern facilities
The two 85 m² fully equipped kitchens can accommodate 20 to 25 participants each. They are identically furnished and both have a TV screen, laptop and large windows that provide plenty of natural light and a pleasant atmosphere. Take away the movable wall and you get one large kitchen of 170 m². Thanks to the flexible layout and modern facilities, the kitchens are perfect for all kinds of cooking activities, from lectures, demo cookings and experience days to cosy workshops and inspiring teambuildings for companies. Ellen Dereymaeker: "It goes further than just workshops, and all within a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, for which Colruyt Group is known tout court".
Completely new to the Halle site is also the option of renting meeting rooms at the venue. Meetings or activities can be organised with (local) associations in no fewer than four bright, modular meeting rooms: two of 43 m², and one of 49 m² which can be enlarged into 1 large room. There is also a separate room of 48 m². There is also a possibility to order catering when booking a room. Ellen Dereymaeker: "It is the first time we can offer this option in Halle. We have already found at our other locations that this works well, and look forward to welcoming associations and companies to our meeting rooms in Halle too."
Colruyt Group Academy: a household name for almost 15 years with different concepts
Since 2012, Colruyt Group Academy has been organising workshops, meetings, webinars and other educational formats where everyone can go for inspiration and connection. The offer focuses on five major themes: food, health, sustainability, family and budget management. Big and small can visit nine convivial Academies spread across Belgium. Colruyt Group Academy cooperates directly with other formulas of Colruyt Group and external partners to offer the highest-quality programme tailored to everyday life. Each activity aims to convey practical, easy-to-implement tips and offers a safe environment to exchange ideas in a casual atmosphere.
A few years ago, the concept of live webinars was added to the physical workshop offerings, and these are also doing well. In 2024, the Academy organised some 75 of them, covering many new topics on health, mental wellbeing, parenting and sustainability. Experts provide explanations and practical tips, while participants ask questions, share tips and personal experiences via chat.
Some relevant figures from financial year 2024/25 for the entire Colruyt Group Academy:
- Digital offer : 27,000 participants
- Physical offer : 23,700 participants
- Summer day camps : 3,350 children
- 931 kids' parties, accounting for 10,000 participants
- B2B : 220 team activities with 4,650 participants
