The Grade II listed Victorian building, located on Commercial Street, has housed the congregation of St Mary’s in the Wood since it relocated from the nearby church in 2008. The main church was destroyed by fire in 2010 and remains derelict.
The purchase forms a part of the Morley Town Deal's investment in the town and will see the building's use change from a church to a learning and skills centre for Morley operated by Luminate Education Group. It is envisaged that the centre will focus on raising skills for adults through vocational training, particularly in new and emerging technologies.
Commenting on the purchase, Leeds City Council executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure, Councillor Helen Hayden, said: "The purchase of St Mary’s in the Wood United Reformed Church is a key step in delivering the Morley Town Deal’s adult education ambitions.
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"Public consultation has shown there is a real thirst for a local technology-focused learning provision in Morley. I am looking forward to seeing the plans and curriculum for this valuable resource develop over the coming months."
All funding for the purchase of the building comes from the £24.3 million Towns Fund grant awarded by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to the Morley Town Deal in 2022. Leeds City College will commit further funds for the redevelopment of the building, running costs, and development of the curriculum.
Jo Dye, Director of Adult Curriculum at Leeds City College, said: "This campus will allow us to create a strong local education provision so that people in Morley and surrounding areas can learn new skills and gain the necessary qualifications they need to progress to further studies or improve their career prospects.
"The technology centre, as part of the campus, will aim to bridge the skills gaps in digital and IT, which are vital for current and future jobs across many industries. We’re proud that our facilities will allow us to deliver focused training to help the people and businesses of Morley, and Leeds, flourish."
