The mammoth Trinity Leeds shopping complex may have hit the headlines recently with its modern take on high street shopping, yet the focus in the northern city has now very much moved onto a more traditional retail experience. Leeds Kirkgate Market has been a central part of the city’s retail industry since 1857, surviving two world wars and a devastating fire which all but destroyed around two thirds of the commercial space available.
In response to concerns voiced by traders over several years, Leeds city council has announced its intention to invest £12.3 million in a refurbishment of the property which will see modernisation and accessibility play a role in the historic site’s future. The roof will be repaired as a matter of urgency, with an events and entertainment space installed to attract higher volumes of consumers.
Furthermore, signage and district zones will be examined in order to determine how best to direct consumers around the sprawling market.
The way traders do business is also being carefully examined in order to boost small local businesses. Proposals have been put forward to run a daily indoor market where independent traders may take up a stall on a day-to-day basis without being drawn into a long-term commitment.
A separate project to improve the George Street frontage and surrounding area will be undertaken in conjunction with the Kirkgate Market scheme, and will see double-fronted retail units installed on the ground floor to attract crowds both in the market and on George Street itself. Residential property will be constructed above this commercial space in order to generate further income for the market.
All improvement costs will be funded from the annual profit generated by rents within the market, and the council hopes that most work will be completed in 2016.
Councillor Richard Lewis believes that improvements to the market, along with the development of nearby Eastgate Quarters retail complex, will revitalise an area of Leeds which has somewhat fallen into the shadow of the Trinity project.
He says; “It is important we retain the character of the market and at the same time bring it into the 21st century to attract more customers.
“We have a real opportunity to develop Kirkgate Market and with the new Eastgate shopping centre just across the road, this will become a much busier area of the city.”
However, campaign group the Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market have argued that the council simply intend to increase rents for existing tenants as a result of the improvements. Furthermore, they believe that the current plans are not financially viable and fail to address problems tenants have been experiencing as a result of management decisions.
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