New Briggate is streets ahead thanks to heritage-led improvement work

Work is under way on the latest phase of a major regeneration programme that aims to support local businesses and revive the traditional character of one of Leeds city centre’s most historic streets.

The New Briggate High Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) programme – a partnership between Leeds City Council and Historic England – has provided grant aid for significant repairs and refurbishments to a row of shops and commercial units opposite Leeds Grand Theatre.

The work – which includes the fitting of timber sash windows and the reinstatement of traditional design features to shopfronts – is expected to take about five months to complete.

This phase of the programme follows positive recent progress on other HAZ-funded improvements to New Briggate, including the restoration of stylish terrazzo paving at the entrance to the Grand Arcade.

The HAZ work in turn feeds into a wider transformation of the area that is designed to give shops and other independent local businesses an ideal environment in which to trade and flourish. Key elements of that wider transformation include:

• The council’s pedestrianisation of the lower end of New Briggate to create a traffic-free space complete with trees, benches, ‘street cafe’ seating and a spruced-up entrance to the historic St John’s churchyard;
• The delivery by the council of other enhancements to New Briggate’s highway infrastructure, including wider pavements and new cycling facilities;
• Public realm improvements – including new surfacing and footways – on Merrion Street, which sits a stone’s throw from New Briggate and plays an important part in the city centre’s night-time economy;
• Opera North’s completion of the £18m redevelopment of its buildings on New Briggate and the adjacent Harrison Street.

Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure, said:

“It’s really exciting to see improvement work starting on these buildings, with the finished results set to make New Briggate an even more attractive place to live, shop and spend time.

“The Heritage Action Zone programme highlights the way that the council, alongside partners, can have a transformational impact on streets that we already know and love.

“By creating well-connected and people-friendly spaces across the city, we’re shaping the kind of environment that will attract further investment and, with it, new jobs, homes and opportunities for all.”

The HAZ’s main remit is the delivery of a heritage-led regeneration of New Briggate through the use of government-funded grants for improvements to buildings and public spaces.

The current work on the shops and commercial units is being carried out using traditional materials and the latest conservation methods, which in turn means the revamped buildings will fit neatly with the look of landmarks such as the Grand Arcade and St John’s Church.

Similar improvements to other properties on New Briggate are currently in the pipeline, again thanks to funding from the HAZ programme.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council's executive member for economy, culture and education, said:

“As a council, we’re determined to do everything we can to support our high streets and the businesses that give them life and vibrancy.

“We’re also hugely proud of Leeds’s heritage and the part its history continues to play in the thriving, fast-moving city we call home.

“The work on New Briggate combines those two ideas perfectly, with improvements that are designed to bring in more shoppers and visitors, but which are also in keeping with the area’s storied past.”

One of the most visible results of the programme to date has been the restoration of the Grade II-listed Grand Arcade’s terrazzo pavement entrance, which had been showing serious signs of wear and tear.

The damaged and cracked paving was replaced by a flawless like-for-like design, with the work being carried out by Andrews Tiles and funded by a HAZ grant that was awarded to Grand Arcade owner ATC Properties.

Douglas West, property director at ATC Properties, said:

“The Grand Arcade is one of the city’s most impressive and historic retail spaces and, as owners, we are always keen to give it the love, care and attention it deserves.

“We were therefore delighted to be able to work with Leeds City Council on the restoration of the terrazzo pavement outside our New Briggate entrance, with this refreshed area now providing a suitably-stylish approach to the arcade.

“It’s also great to see continued progress on other improvements to New Briggate. For a local business such as ourselves, they represent exactly the sort of support that is welcome and valued.”

Bryan Davies, who leads on the New Briggate High Street Heritage Action Zone for Historic England, said:

“It’s great to see all this work under way and I’m looking forward to seeing the finished results.

“We hope that the repair and refurbishments of these historic buildings will help to generate new economic opportunities for both the resident and neighbouring businesses in New Briggate.”    

Recent enhancements to New Briggate’s highway infrastructure were made possible by the permanent re-routing of buses to Vicar Lane as part of the £173.5m Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme.

The work on Merrion Street, meanwhile, marked the culmination of a lengthy series of improvements by the council to leading night-time economy destinations, with spots such as Greek Street, Lower Briggate and Call Lane all undergoing pedestrianisation or remodelling over the last 10 years.

Note to editors:

High Streets Heritage Action Zones is a £95m government-funded programme led by Historic England, designed to secure lasting improvements and help breathe new life into historic high streets for the communities and businesses that use them. Historic England is working with local people and partners to unlock the rich heritage on these high streets, through repair and improvement works as well as arts and cultural programmes, making them more attractive to residents, businesses, tourists and investors.

ENDS