The first ever dedicated arts venue for one of the UK’s largest housing estates in East Leeds is closer to becoming a reality thanks to the involvement of commercial property legal expert, Simon Sherwood, a partner in our Leeds office.
At a time when Yorkshire museums and culture are being threatened by budget cuts, the Seacroft Methodist Church, which has been part of life in Seacroft since 1874, is to be converted into a bespoke arts and performance space to benefit residents of all ages and backgrounds.
Simon has completed the signing of a 99-year lease for the centre following a period of pro bono counsel, effectively saving the building for community use for the foreseeable future. The lease was signed by partners on 11 June 2013 and gives the green light for the development to get underway.
The centre, called chapELFM, is the brainchild of community arts organisation Heads Together Productions and will become the home of local community radio station East Leeds FM (ELFM). Covering two floors, the centre is expected to include three studios for creative performance, recording, training and writing, audience seating and a range of other facilities. There will be a big focus on training for young people, equipping them with skills they can take forward into any career path, while also encouraging them to express their creative side.
Simon said: “I am delighted that Mills & Reeve has been able to play a part in bringing chapELFM to fruition. Supporting such worthwhile initiatives through pro bono work is so rewarding and we are certain the centre will be a valuable and lasting part of life in East Leeds in the future, benefiting hundreds if not thousands of residents.”
The lease signing follows an announcement by Heads Together in February that it had raised the £866,000 needed for the centre’s development.
Linda Strudwick, Development Director at Heads Together, said: “The Seacroft Methodist Church is a landmark in local history and we’re honoured to be able to be giving it a new lease of life for future generations. Simon’s help in getting this project off the ground has been invaluable.”
ELFM was set up in 2003 to celebrate and promote life in East Leeds. With an annual listenership of 30,000, the station has so far involved over 7,000 local people of different ages and backgrounds. With 90 per cent of its musical output comprising local artists, the project has put East Leeds on the map in terms of emerging musical talent. The Next Generation programme provides young people from local high schools in the area an opportunity to develop a wide range of skills through the medium of radio.
The funding for the development of chapELFM has come from a range of sources including Leeds City Council, Jimbo’s Fund, The Scurrah Wainwright Charity, the Tudor Trust, the WREN Community Fund, the Monument Trust, the Caird Bardon Community Programme and the Arts Council of England.
http://www.mills-reeve.com/chapelfm-leeds/
