Lord Mayor Coun Arthur Dunworth and Sheffield Central MP Richard Caborn will officially open Freeman College's new base at Sterling Works on Arundel Street, in the heart of the Cultural Industries Quarter, on Friday May 9.

The former eighteenth century cutlery works has been converted by Freeman College – a further education charity which educates young people with autistic spectrum disorders and developmental delay – into modern facilities for on-site teaching, craft workshops, a coffee shop and a student refectory.

The primary focus of the Sterling Works project, which has been funded by a Learning and Skills Council capital grant, has been the provision of a modern educational base for Freeman College students, while also engaging with the local city centre community.

The newly developed site will also include a community bakery, and the college is being advised on production by Britain's top organic breadmaker Andrew Whitley.

Freeman College students will have the chance to work in the new bakery, which is already attracting interest from some of Sheffield's major hotels, the two universities and several of the city's most high-profile restaurants.

Further links with the local community are being planned through the development of a community medical centre at Sterling Works, with talks currently at an advanced stage with Sheffield Primary Care Trust.

Freeman College principal Helen Kippax said: "This development has been a massive undertaking, but the finished conversion is absolutely stunning.

"It is an icon of Sheffield's industrial heritage and will provide a fantastic base for our students to learn skills that will help them lead an independent life. As well as becoming a cultural asset to the city, the site will breathe new life into a landmark building and give real life-skills opportunities to our students."

"This will also be a great chance to improve local amenities and give something back to the city centre community, with an organic bakery, café and medical centre all due to open in the coming months.

"We hope the site will become a hub for education, historical intrigue and community engagement – nurturing and mentoring new young talent while maintaining an active role in the surrounding area."