East Street Arts secures £550k investment to create new technology hub for Leeds

East Street Arts has completed the purchase of Convention House in Mabgate after securing £550k of investment from the Leeds Tech Hub Fund from Leeds City Council.

The arts organisation is planning to transform the building into a new technology hub for Leeds and the city region.

Formerly home to business advisors and chartered accountants, Winburn Glass Norfolk (WGN), the building is located on St Marys Street next to the charity’s headquarters, Patrick Studios.

The new hub will include a mixture of studios, labs, co-production workspace, tech facilities and residency spaces.

In collaboration with artist collective Invisible Flock, a long-term programme, Beeta, will be used to explore the relationships between business, engineering, environment, technology and art.

Jon Wakeman, East Street Arts’ artistic director, said: “It’s feels fantastic to have completed on the building next door to our home at Patrick Studios. Work can now begin to transform the space into a digital hub, which will interrogate the use of new and traditional technologies, addressing a lack of provision in the Leeds and the wider city region.

“We’re now in our 25th year here at East Street and much has changed since we started out, especially in the digital sphere.

“One thing which remains unchanged is our dedication to supporting artists at all levels, and we’re grateful to have received the grant from Leeds Tech Hub Fund which will allow us continue our work with this new venture.”

Cllr James Lewis added: “The completion of the purchase of Convention House by East Street Arts is excellent news, and a further positive step towards finalising the Leeds Tech Hub portfolio alongside Platform, ODI, Duke Studios and GameMakers.

“The studios, co-working space, labs and digital facilities together with bespoke programmes and projects will provide a unique, vibrant and creative enterprise space that Leeds greatly needs.

“The partnership between Invisible Flock and East Street Arts will undoubtedly be successful in the exploration between art and technology and all together this will be a very welcome and exciting addition to the Leeds tech sector.”

Colin Glass, one of the founding partners of WGN, also commented: “In recent years, our business model has changed and while we are still involved in accounts preparation and associated taxation work, we now provide a holistic and comprehensive business advisory service.

“The sale of the building has enabled us to move our offices into the city centre at 4 Park Place. This is the end of an era but also the beginning of a new one for both us and East Street Arts.”