Leeds city centre offices to be the new administrative home of the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales
The Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales is to move its administration to new offices in the centre of Leeds early next year.
The announcement has been made following the purchase of 17-19 York Place in Leeds city centre. The four-storey building, which comprises three Georgian townhouses, and 17,590 sq ft of prime office space will provide accommodation for 100 staff with meeting rooms and board rooms as well as 16 spaces in the undercroft car park.
The purchase comes fifteen months after the creation of the new Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales, serving a population of 2.3 million people, 656 Anglican churches and 250 church schools.
The York Place building will enable the Diocese’s resource team to relocate from offices in East Leeds, Wakefield, Steeton and Harrogate to work in one central location. A café and book-shop is being considered for the ground floor.
Staff are being offered a chance to see the new building over the next two weeks. Joint Diocesan Secretaries, Ashley Ellis and Debbie Child, (pictured showing the Bishop of Richmond, Rt Revd Paul Slater around the new office) said, “ Property consultants, Eddisons, have been acting on our behalf to find a suitable freehold city-centre site within 10 minutes’ walk of the train station, which would be available for occupation by the end of 2015 -early 2016.
“We have been looking for somewhere in Leeds which can accommodate about 100 staff and would provide meeting and training rooms, all within easy reach of the main transport links. York Place offers us just what we need, and will allow us to support parishes and schools more effectively and efficiently.”
No decision has yet been taken on the future of the existing diocesan buildings, which comprised the former offices in Bradford, Wakefield, Leeds and Harrogate.
The first floor of the new office is let to construction consultancy Mace and will provide an immediate annual rental income.
The Diocese intends to occupy the new building early in the new year.
