Could Morley become the new Ikley? Town reveals its economic aspirations

The man in charge of spearheading a bid for £25m of government funds to invest into a neglected part of Leeds said the area needed to develop a ‘sustainable economic future’ after facing skills and employment challenges that could be worsened by the Covid crisis.
Gerald Jennings, chairman of Morley Town Deal Board, which is bidding for £25m of Government funds to spend on improving the area. Picture James Hardisty.Gerald Jennings, chairman of Morley Town Deal Board, which is bidding for £25m of Government funds to spend on improving the area. Picture James Hardisty.
Gerald Jennings, chairman of Morley Town Deal Board, which is bidding for £25m of Government funds to spend on improving the area. Picture James Hardisty.

Gerald Jennings, chairman of the Morley Town Deal Board, which is spearheading the town’s regeneration bid, said the funds would kickstart a decade of investment to turn Morley into an ’aspirational market town like Ikley’.

The Government said the funding was intended help local leaders “transform their town’s economic growth prospects with a focus on improved transport, broadband connectivity, skills and culture”.

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A major public consultation programme is underway to secure Morley residents’ views on which projects should be put forward to shape the town’s future.

Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, Mr Jennings, who helped to deliver the £350m Trinity Leeds retail scheme in 2013, said: “The Towns Fund is about us supporting Morley to develop a sustainable economic future. It’s to give the town the means to create and seize opportunities so that it can make use of those fantastic assets and keep pace with the wider UK.”

Mr Jennings is keen to better connect the town to nearby economic activity at the White Rose Centre, White Rose Office Park and Capitol Park, which could include cycling and walking routes through a green thoroughfare. A new town square outside Morley Town Hall is also earmarked.

Other projects under consideration include further improvements to Morley Station - in addition to those proposed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

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Another scheme could see the vacant New Pavilion building transformed into a community and skills hub.

Mr Jennings is also keen to see diverse mix of businesses in the town. “I want to see Morely regain its entrepreneurial spirit and lead in areas like climate change and the digital economy. But we also need to make sure that core businesses, like the manufacturers, aren’t forgotten,” he said.

He also sees private sector investment as key to making a bigger impact on the town. “We need to generate ongoing revenue on the back of this through private sector investment,” he said. “We need to be able to say ‘come and be a part of this because there’s a commercial benefit’.”

The final bid is expected to be submitted to the Government in early 2021.

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