Plans for a centre of excellence involving the University of Northampton have been rubber stamped.
Northampton Borough Council is working with the university to create a multimillion-pound leatherworking centre of excellence within the town’s cultural quarter.
The plans will see the University transfer its Institute for Creative Leather Technologies (ICLT) from its current home at Park campus to the former Vulcan Works site in Guildhall Road. The historic former iron works building will also house the Leather Conservation Centre, currently located at Park Campus, and exhibition space.
Cllr Tim Hadland, Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, enterprise and planning, said: "The university has an opportunity to create something unique here, ensuring Northampton continues to be viewed as one of the foremost leatherworking centres in the world.
"This project demonstrates the strong partnership between the University and the borough council which bodes well for the cultural future of the town centre, and Northampton as a whole."
The entire project will cost around £13 million.
