GMI Construction Group and Luminate Education Group hosted a visit by Leeds MP Alex Sobel to update him on the progress being made on the city’s Mabgate Campus development.
Leeds Central and Headingley MP Alex Sobel, accompanied by Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Children and Families, toured the construction site, which, upon its completion in summer 2025, will mark a significant expansion of Leeds City College.
Milestones completed include the installation of the structural steelwork and the completion of a section of concrete forming a wall of the library.
The development will provide around 70,000 sq. ft of additional educational space, while contributing to the area’s regeneration and providing much-needed community resources.
Mabgate Campus already holds Leeds City College’s School of Events, Enterprise and Employability, together with studio space for Leeds Conservatoire – both members of Luminate Education Group.
Leeds-headquartered GMI’s £26m contract involves partial demolition of existing buildings fronting onto Mabgate, allowing for the construction of the flagship five-storey campus for University Centre Leeds and a new building for Leeds City College’s English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) centre.
As part of the construction of the ESOL building, GMI will also build a new atrium cafeteria, located between the new building and existing converted warehouse space, which is the hub of the Mabgate Centre, providing eco-friendly open-plan learning spaces and specially designed classrooms.
Alex Sobel MP said: “It was wonderful to see the buildings taking shape, we really appreciated being able to sign the library wall and look forward to another visit when the buildings are complete, and students are benefitting from purpose-built provision. We know that there is need for more post 16 provision in the city and welcome this development whilst working for further space for post 16 education in Leeds.”
Helen Hayden, who represents the Temple Newsham ward on Leeds City Council, added: “I was delighted to visit the Mabgate Campus development which represents a significant investment in education and regeneration of this part of Leeds. This project will deliver long-term benefits for the city by creating new opportunities for learning and community engagement, which are key to enhancing our skills base.”
Andy Hurcomb, Regional Director at GMI Construction Group, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Alex Sobel MP and Cllr Helen Hayden to the site to show them the significant progress being made. Their visit highlighted the importance of this project to the local community, and we’re honored to partner with Luminate Education Group to deliver a state-of-the-art facility that reflects both the ambition of our educational partners and the aspirations of the wider Leeds community.”
David Warren, Group Vice Principal of Development at Luminate Education Group, added: “This project will create a flagship campus that will provide a dynamic learning environment that meets the needs of today’s students and the future workforce. We are thrilled to see this project progress. It project represents a significant investment in education in Leeds, and we are confident it will play an important role in shaping the future of education in this region.”
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