In a major logistical exercise, the diocese has moved into new headquarters in Leeds city centre, and closed its former offices at Wakefield, Bradford, Leeds St Mary’s Street and Harrogate.
Diocesan administration has been brought under one roof at Church House, 17-19 York Place, a four story Georgian building near the railway station which has been redeveloped to provide office space for nearly 100 staff. (Reception phone number 0113 200 0540)
On Monday (September 26), the staff began unpacking and settling in – all helped by tea and cakes in the ground floor Cielo* café which is also open to the public.
The new offices are open-plan and include flexible ground floor meeting rooms and ‘break-out’ areas.
Staff received a welcome pack (including chocolate, memory stick, map, and a prayer card), and
the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson (who is Chair of the project team for the new office) thanked staff for their forbearance and flexibility in making the move. And in a welcome message to each of the staff, Bishop Nick said, “I hope these new offices will help enhance and inspire our work together as we continue to support the work of the church in this region.”
Joint Diocesan Secretary, Ashley Ellis, who with Debbie Child, welcomed staff, said, “It is great to finally have most diocesan staff working together in one office. I am sure it will enable us to work consistently and more closely together to the benefit of the whole diocese.”
Email addresses remain the same, and the reception phone number is 0113 200 0540. The postal address is Church House, 17-19 York Place, Leeds, LS1 2EX.
See how staff were enjoying the new offices on a short video - here or click on picture right
* CIELO COFFEE HOUSE
Cielo is a social enterprise which ploughs its profits back into the community - and in Church House, York Place they'll be sharing their profits with the diocese. Cielo now has several coffee houses in Leeds, as well as its own coffee roastery in Garforth.
Managing Director, Nick Castle, says, “We offer speciality grade coffee, to-die-for snacks, and, as well as giving away our profits, our aim is to build better community cohesion and reduce loneliness.
"We're delighted to now be in the bustling business district of Leeds - we hope we can help build community and cultivate new networks." More here and here