New five-year strategy is set to deliver the goods for Leeds Kirkgate Market

Leeds City Council’s previous strategy for the market covered the period 2021 to 2026 and helped deliver impressive results, including increased footfall, a diverse and vibrant range of new businesses and a multi-million pound refurbishment of the site’s historic ‘blockshops' area.

Now, following extensive and positive consultation with traders, customers and other stakeholders, the council has revealed plans that aim to ensure this much-loved retail destination maintains its current upward trajectory between 2026 and 2031.

The new strategy document – which will be considered by a meeting of the council’s executive board next Wednesday (February 11) – sets out a vision for the market’s continued success as an inclusive, attractive and sustainable place where independent retailers can thrive.

Key to achieving that ambition, says the document, will be a number of schemes and initiatives. They include:

• The construction – subject to planning approval – of STACK Leeds, a ‘container-style’ food, drink and entertainment attraction proposed for part of the market’s outdoor trading area;
• The development, subject to final approval once full costings have been secured and assessed, of a hotel and council-run public gym on the George Street side of the market;
• The continuation and enhancement of the market’s free events programme for children and families, which has become an important driver of footfall – particularly during school holidays – and underlines its proud reputation as a place that caters for the Leeds community as a whole;
• Committing appropriate funds to the upkeep and maintenance of the Grade I listed market building;
• Widening the digital ‘reach’ of the market by further growing its already-strong following across various social media platforms while also helping traders raise their own online profiles.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:

“Leeds Kirkgate Market is a hugely important part of local life and it’s a real source of pride that we, as a council, have been able to support it so strongly over the last five years through a mix of investment and innovative thinking.

“Recovery from the effects of the pandemic has not been easy, but today the market is in good shape and ready to face the future with confidence.

“We know, though, that we cannot afford to rest on our laurels and this new five-year strategy contains much to be excited about.

“My thanks to everyone at the market who took part in the consultation activity, it has played a vital role in the development of the strategy.

“Your support – and indeed the hard work and dedication that we see from traders and staff week in, week out – will help us ensure that Leeds Kirkgate Market continues to go from strength to strength.”

Achievements from the 2021-2026 period detailed in the strategy document include:

• Investing more than £11m in the refurbishment of the 19th-century blockshops, with units being renovated and improved with features such as new canopy fronts, electric roller shutters, extraction ducting, LED lighting and extra storage space;
• A dramatic expansion of the market’s street food and ‘food-to-go’ offer, with dozens of stalls now serving up Yorkshire specialities as well as tasty treats from Italy, Greece, India, Vietnam and many other countries around the world;
• The conversion of an old butcher’s shop, facing the Market Kitchen area, into two new food-to-go units;
• The provision of a major package of support – including rent discounts – to help traders cope with the financial effects of the pandemic;
• A steady stream of business openings, with the 12 months to summer 2025 alone seeing nearly 20 new arrivals in the indoor market;
• Improvements to the market’s community hub and library that mean it now offers customers a warm and welcoming space with access to books, computers and council services.

Footfall figures for 2024 showed the market received more than 5.9 million visits over the course of the year, four per cent up on the total for 2023 and 33 per cent up on 2021.

Notes to editors:

The new 2026-2031 strategy document and an accompanying report to executive board can be found at agenda item number 18 here.

A planning application for the proposed STACK Leeds attraction is due to be submitted shortly. A formal lease agreement was signed last year between the council and STACK, an experienced leisure operator with similar venues in places such as Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Lincoln.

ENDS