Plans to 'revitalise' Leeds city centre street revealed to planning chiefs

Leeds City Council has revealed proposals for a brand new scheme to ‘revitalise’ a street in the city centre.

During Thursday’s meeting (12th October), members of the council’s plans panel discussed plans to transform the George Street area, between Kirkgate Market and the Victoria Gate.

These initial plans have been put together by Town Centre Securities following an open invitation by Leeds City Council, to all developers, for proposals to create a new development for the gateway between the new Victoria Gate development and newly refurbished Kirkgate Market.

Town Centre Securities also own other assets in the vicinity on Vicar Lane where redevelopment proposals are being considered.

The proposals include replacing the current 1930s and 1980s buildings with a new apart-hotel and nine commercial units.

The ground floor commercial units will have entrances on George Street and form connections through to the former Butchers Row, which offers the opportunity to access the market from several points along George Street.

The apart-hotel will also link directly into the market as well as from George Street. Town Centre Securities claims that bringing an apart-hotel to this area of the city centre will bring positive economic impacts and help boost the visitor economy.

Councillor Richard Lewis, executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, said: “The redevelopment of the George Street area is a unique opportunity to enhance and revitalise an historic area of the city.

“We are at early stages of the proposals but we are keen to work with the developers to create the right development for this part of the city.

“The existing buildings are outdated and out of proportion with the Grade-I Listed market building and the Victoria Leeds development opposite, so by creating a building more in-keeping with its new surroundings, we can encourage new visitors and enhance business for our market traders.”

Edward Ziff, chairman and chief executive at Town Centre Securities, added: “Having successfully worked with Hammerson in the early stages of Victoria Gate, we are keen to continue regeneration of this area of the city, and ensure there are some strong linkages between Victoria Gate and the market.

“We believe the redevelopment of the George Street buildings will strengthen these linkages to the benefit of both”.

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