Plans for a new multi-million-pound learning and skills centre in Morley have taken a major step forward after work started to convert a former church into an education centre.
The new Morley Learning and Skills Centre will focus on enabling adults to improve their skills and qualifications to boost their employability and career prospects.
Purchased by Leeds City Council in October 2023, the Grade II-listed St Mary’s in the Wood Church building, dating from 1900, sits at the heart of the town’s newly revised conservation area on Commercial Street.
Run by Leeds City College, the new centre will offer courses to help residents upskill in growing sectors like technology and innovation. The subjects covered will range from coding, virtual reality, 2D printing and general IT skills, to English and maths.
Planning permission for conversion work was granted in late 2024, and Bermar Building Co Ltd was appointed as the successful delivery partners following a competitive tender process.
Work on the building will involve restoring the roof, façade, windows, and doors and making the entrance more accessible with the installation of an access ramp at the front.
The interior will also be fully refurbished for use as a learning space, with a new lift installed to improve further accessibility and a pod constructed in the main hall to maximise the space. Work on the building is expected to be complete by autumn 2026.
Gerald Jennings, chair of the Morley Town Deal board, said: “The Morley Town Deal board has worked hard to develop a skills agenda that is both aspiring in its goals and sustainable in helping to future-proof the town’s workforce and provide lasting opportunities.
“The Morley Learning and Skills Centre, with its wide range of education and upskilling opportunities, is a legacy the Town Deal can be proud of, as it will provide people with opportunities for generations to come.
“I look forward to watching the exciting plans for this incredible learning institution take shape over the coming months and for the people of Morley to start enjoying the benefits the centre will provide.”
The development will include nods to the building’s heritage as a place of worship, with a commemorative plaque being prepared and the original pews set to be reinstalled.
Rob Moon, managing director of Bermar Building Co Ltd, said: “We are thrilled to be working with the Morley Town Deal, Leeds City Council, and Leeds City College on the construction of the new Morley Learning and Skills Centre.
“As a company that specialises in restoring heritage buildings, it is exciting to be able to develop such a forward-looking resource for the people of Morley, while also retaining the character and heritage of a building that has been a part of the community for over 100 years.”
