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University set to open leather industry centre of excellence

A CENTRE of excellence for the global
leather industry has been completed at the University of Northampton.

The £5.5 million International Leather
Centre, funded by LGIM Real Assets (Legal & General), marks the seventh
major development to be delivered by commercial property developer Stoford
Developments this year.

The 27,000 sq ft centre at the town
centre Waterside campus will house the Institute for Creative Leather
Technologies and comprises a tannery, offices, classrooms and teaching
laboratories, and will be a global hub that will deliver technical excellence
in education, training and research.

Stoford director Gerard Ludlow said the ILC will consolidate the university’s reputation as a global leading educator in the sector. “This is a landmark building, prominently located on the main campus, signifies the university’s commitment to teaching and collaborative research in the leather industry,” he added.

ICLT director Rachel Garwood said: “We are currently the leading global HE provider for leather education and the only university in Europe with a full working tannery. The new International Leather Centre in Northampton will become the epicentre for leather expertise, addressing the whole of the value chain from ‘the hide to the high street’.

“We believe no one else is positioned to offer this level of expertise worldwide.”

Rob Codling, fund manager at LGIM Real Assets, added: “It is fantastic to see this development complete which will help support the future of the University of Northampton and its state-of-the-art campus. This type of development is in line with our fund strategy to increase our exposure to long-term secure income streams, with a focus on alternatives.” 

Associated Architects designed the ILC and main contractor was A&H Construction. Savills acted as agents for the university.


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