New fashion academy to open in historic building

Newtown is stepping into the spotlight of the fashion world with the opening of the Newtown Fashion & Textiles Academy, officially set to launch this December.

The Academy, which aims to provide cutting-edge fashion and textile education, will be based in the iconic Pryce Jones Building, also known as the Royal Welsh Warehouse—a historic site for garment manufacturing.

The Academy’s launch marks a pivotal moment for Newtown, drawing on the town's rich fashion heritage. The Pryce Jones Building, where the Academy will be housed, has been an emblem of the garment industry since the days of pioneering figures like Pryce Jones and Laura Ashley. Pryce Jones, an early entrepreneur in mail-order fashion, established the building as a central hub for textile and garment production, and Laura Ashley, a fashion icon, later contributed to the town’s design legacy. Now, the Academy seeks to honor and extend that legacy by training a new generation of designers.

Catering to a wide audience, the Newtown Fashion & Textiles Academy will offer part-time courses in practical areas like sewing, machining, and surface pattern design, welcoming anyone interested in learning or enhancing their skills.

Additionally, the Academy will host students from Newtown College’s Level 3 Sustainable Fashion program, which will equip students with technical and design skills while emphasizing environmentally-conscious practices. 

The Academy’s offerings will be delivered by seasoned instructors from Newtown College, allowing students to benefit from their industry insights. By integrating hands-on learning with business acumen, the Academy seeks to cultivate designers who are not only creatively skilled but also prepared to navigate the business side of the industry.

The ground floor of the Pryce Jones Building will undergo a transformation to house state-of-the-art equipment, creating an inspiring environment that fosters creativity and technical skill development.

A £526,603 investment from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund has made this venture possible, awarded by the Powys SPF Local Partnership Board to support initiatives aligned with people and skill development.

Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys and Newtown Central & South County Councillor David Selby, recently visited the building said:

‘’I am thrilled to see this iconic building taking on a new lease of life as the home of the Newtown Fashion and Textiles Academy."

"It’s a fantastic opportunity to nurture the talent of our young people and keep the rich heritage of textiles alive in our community. This academy will not only inspire the next generation of designers but also strengthen our local economy and creative industry.”

Gemma Charnock, Vice Principal: Corporate & Group Company Secretary, NPTC Group of Colleges, expressed her enthusiasm:

“We are excited to launch the Newtown Fashion & Textiles Academy."

"This is a game-changer for our community. It will fuse the creative, technical, and business aspects of the fashion industry, ensuring our students are fully prepared for their careers.”

The official launch event, scheduled for 4th December, promises to be an unforgettable evening. In honor of Newtown’s heritage, guests will experience a special Laura Ashley-themed exhibition, a student-runway show, and speeches from industry insiders.