The Newtown Fashion & Textiles Academy is set to open in the historic Pryce Jones Building this year. This new academy will provide fashion education and skills training to aspiring designers and adults who are keen to perfect their craft. The Pryce Jones Building, also known as the Royal Welsh Warehouse, is a site with a rich history in garment making and has seen fashion icons like Laura Ashley and Pryce Jones grace its premises.
The new academy aims to uphold this prestigious legacy. It will host a variety of part-time courses in sewing, machining, and surface pattern design for adults who are either looking to break into the industry or advance their skills. Students from Newtown College's Level Three Sustainable Fashion programme will also be welcomed, combining their sustainable practices with creative design.
The academy will be a hub for those pursuing a career in fashion, offering access to a network of potential employers and professional training. The courses, taught by Newtown College instructors, will provide students with practical design skills and essential business knowledge. The academy will undergo a full renovation of the ground floor of the Pryce Jones Building.
This will include state-of-the-art equipment and facilities designed to inspire future fashion innovators. The academy has received £526,603 from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) to support the renovation. The funds were allocated by the Powys SPF Local Partnership Board under i.