£5.5m leather centre completed at the University of Northampton

A £5.5 million centre of excellence for the global leather industry has been completed at the University of Northampton.

The International Leather Centre, located at the University’s Waterside campus in Northampton town centre, will house the Institute for Creative Leather Technologies.

The new building comprises a tannery, offices, classrooms and teaching laboratories.

The 27,000 sq ft Centre was delivered by Birmingham-based developer Stoford Developments, designed by Associated Architects and funded by LGIM Real Assets.

Gerard Ludlow, director at Stoford Developments, said: “We are pleased to have completed this fantastic development for the University of Northampton, which will consolidate its reputation as a global leading educator in this 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.”

Rachel Garwood, director of the Institute for Creative Leather Technologies, 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.”