The British Library at Future Cities Forum's 'Cultural Cities' event

Jamie Andrews, Head of Cultural and Learning Programme, The British Library

We are delighted that The British Library is taking part in our 'Cultural Cities' forum this September.

Jamie Andrews leads the Cultural and Learning Programming at the British Library, and previously led the development of the Library’s literature collections. He has curated several exhibitions on literature and theatre, led major international culture and research collaborative projects, and worked on a number of digital arts programmes. Jamie is a Fellow of the Clore Leadership Programme, Vice-Chair of Oxford House, a Trustee of the Forward Arts Foundation and the William Morris Gallery Brangywn Trust, and co-chairs a cultural education board for Camden Council.

Jamie is leading on the British Library's potential move into Temple Works in the south bank district of Leeds at Holbeck. He is also involved in the project to refurbish and remodel the extensive British Library campus at Boston Spa in Yorkshire, which houses three quarters of the British Library's collection. The BL's ambitions for the North of England involve establishing a physical presence in Leeds city centre that will enable it to open up its collections to audiences as never before. Since 2019 the organisation has worked with local partners to develop a programme of cultural events and learning activities in the city.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority - in consultation with Leeds City Council - has just agreed to release the first £5 million of the £25 million government funding for the British Library development of the historic Temple Works in Leeds. This is part of the West Yorkshire devolutionary funding deal. The funding will be used to stabilise and protect the Grade-I listed building, which is on Historic England's 'Heritage at Risk' Register and to enable detailed investigatory work to assess the viability of transforming it into a home for the British Library in Leeds.

Council officers say that the British Library centre represents a cultural and heritage-led proposal of international significance, that will act as catalyst for the wider regeneration of Leeds south bank, creating new jobs and housing and helping to achieve the council's inclusive growth ambitions around access to learning and culture.

Below: Temple Works, Leeds (by Ken Grey for Leeds Civic Society)