The University of Leeds has approved a multi-million-pound investment to expand Cloth Hall Court, its dedicated conference and events venue in Leeds city centre.
The expansion will introduce new facilities, increase capacity and create more flexible spaces for meetings, conferences and events.
Located next to Leeds train station, Cloth Hall Court already offers modern conference facilities, boardrooms and in-house catering. Its dedicated events team also supports organisers throughout the planning process.
What will the Cloth Hall Court expansion include?
The project will transform the venue’s currently unused third and fourth floors into new event spaces. This will give organisers more choice when planning conferences, meetings and corporate events.
The expansion will also introduce additional areas for catering, networking and exhibitions.
Sustainability is another key focus. The improvements are expected to reduce the building’s annual carbon emissions by 54%.
The design will also celebrate the building’s history, with subtle references to the University of Leeds and the city’s cloth-making heritage.
Building on the venue’s success
Cloth Hall Court reopened under University of Leeds management in 2023. Since then, it has welcomed several major events, including Fintech North, Yorkshire Sustainability Week and the Child Health Outcomes Research at Leeds (CHORAL) launch.
Feedback from existing and potential customers has helped shape the expansion plans. Research highlighted growing demand for flexible event spaces, alongside better facilities for networking, catering and exhibitions.
Sam Glenister-Batey, Deputy Director of Commercial and Business Development at the University of Leeds, said:
“Cloth Hall Court has already shown what a strong venue it can be, and this investment gives us the chance to take that much further. Weβll be able to welcome more people, host a much wider range of events and give organisers far more flexibility in how they use the building.
“What is particularly exciting is what this means beyond the venue itself. Cloth Hall Court gives the University a fantastic presence in the heart of Leeds, bringing together businesses, partners and communities in one place. This expansion is a real statement of confidence in the venue, in the city and in the role the University can play within it.”
Supporting Leeds as a business events destination
The investment will also strengthen Leeds’ position as a destination for conferences and corporate events.
With more space and greater flexibility, Cloth Hall Court will be able to welcome a wider variety of events and attract more businesses to the city.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, said:
“We welcome the investment into Cloth Hall Court and are excited for its impact on the cityβs conference and events offer. Adding more space and greater flexibility will allow the excellent team there to build on their successes and give businesses more reasons to choose Leeds for their next event.
“This work will further drive us towards our ambition to be a growing city where innovation, productivity and inward investment combine to create a strong economy that benefits everyone who calls Leeds home.”
About Cloth Hall Court
Owned by the University of Leeds, Cloth Hall Court is a dedicated conference and events venue in the heart of the city.
Its central location, flexible meeting spaces and in-house catering make it a convenient choice for corporate events. Organisers also benefit from support provided by the University’s experienced Conferences and Events team.
The venue is part of the University’s wider conference and events offering, which includes facilities across its 100-acre campus.
To learn more about the venue and its upcoming expansion, visit the Cloth Hall Court website.Β
Follow University of Leeds Conferences and Events onΒ Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
