New look for landmark street as heritage-led regeneration work delivers the goods

Backed by £1.3m worth of funding from Historic England’s High Streets Heritage Action Zones (HAZ) programme, the Leeds City Council scheme was launched with the aim of making New Briggate an even better place to shop, socialise and spend time.

Heritage-led improvements to buildings and public spaces carried out as part of the three-year scheme were also designed to ensure the street offers the best possible setting for its many independent businesses.

And, with work now fully completed, the results have been hailed as a “shining example” of how the city’s proud past continues to inspire and influence its modern-day success.

One key aspect of the scheme involved the fitting of timber sash windows and reinstatement of traditional frontages on a row of shops and commercial units opposite Leeds Grand Theatre.

By using carefully-chosen materials and the latest conservation methods, the council has ensured that these revamped buildings fit neatly with the look of neighbouring landmarks such as the Grand Arcade and St John’s Church.

The approach to a set of steps leading up to the churchyard at St John’s – the oldest surviving place of worship in Leeds city centre – has also had a facelift, with new Yorkstone paving being laid there.

Other HAZ funding has been used to restore a large section of damaged and cracked terrazzo paving at the upper entrance to the Grade II-listed Grand Arcade.

And, running parallel to the physical work, a programme of community engagement activity – such as pop-up exhibitions and walking tours – has provided people of all ages with insights into how the culture and character of New Briggate has developed over the years. The programme included Hidden Histories of New Briggate, a cultural project led by East Street Arts that explored tales from the street’s past with the help of specially-commissioned artists.

The improvements made during the HAZ scheme have complemented a recent wider transformation of New Briggate and the surrounding area. Notable 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 and ‘street cafe’ seating;
• 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 nearby Merrion Street;
• Opera North’s £18m redevelopment of its buildings on New Briggate and the adjacent Harrison Street.

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

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

“Leeds is a modern, forward-thinking city, but it also has a proud history that we must celebrate and, wherever possible, harness to positive effect.

“I’m delighted, therefore, that the New Briggate High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme has been able to make such significant improvements to one of our oldest streets.

“The results are a shining example of how all that has gone before – in architecture, design, culture and so much more – can shape what we are and do today.

“The success of the scheme and the support it received from Historic England also highlights, once again, the power of partnership working.

“What has been achieved is really impressive and I look forward to seeing this famous street – and the businesses that call it home – continuing to go from strength to strength in the future.”

Bryan Davies, conservation architect at Historic England, said:

“The success of the New Briggate High Street Heritage Action Zone proves that heritage is not just about the past but can act as a powerful catalyst for future growth.

“Heritage-led regeneration can create impactful and sustainable change on our high streets in a way that improves people's lives, making them a better place to work, live and visit.”

Douglas West, property director at Grand Arcade owner ATC Properties, said:

“The improvements that have been made to New Briggate are great to see, they’ve had a really positive impact on what was already a vibrant and welcoming street.

“The restoration of the terrazzo paving outside our New Briggate entrance was a hugely impressive piece of work and one that I know has been very well received by the Grand Arcade’s businesses and customers alike.”

Although the Grade I-listed St John’s Church dates back to the 1630s, New Briggate itself was created in the mid-19^th century as a linking point between Briggate and North Street.

The street’s historic value was underlined in 2017 when it became part of the newly-designated Grand Quarter Conservation Area.

Note to editors:

High Streets Heritage Action Zones was 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 worked 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