Developer drawing up plans for historic city centre building

Working with the city council, City Fusion and other interest groups, Rushbond plans to refurbish and redevelop Leeds’ First White Cloth Hall as part of the wider renaissance of the Kirkgate area of Leeds city centre.

Mark Finch, director of Rushbond, said: “The First White Cloth Hall is arguably the most important building that drove the transformation of Leeds’ economy in the early 18th century.

“Its relevance is engrained in the social and architectural history of the city.

“Over many years, there have been various attempts to bring forward a viable scheme that ensures a sustainable future for the asset.

“We now believe that, with the skills and resource we and our team can bring to bear, and working closely with the local community in particularly the city council, Historic England and the Leeds Civic Trust, we can transform the site and ensure it truly acts as a catalyst to the wider regeneration of this amazing historic street.”

First White Cloth Hall was built in 1711, providing the first secure and sheltered building for the sale of undyed cloth in the city. It was replaced by a second hall on Meadow Lane and then subsequently by the third Hall, on Crown Street.

The First Hall was later converted into an alehouse, shops and then houses, and most latterly used as shops. It has been on the Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register since 1999.

Mr Finch added: “There is rarely a quick fix to significant heritage buildings such as this and we want to ensure that our scheme and approach is considered and appropriate. But we do want to work very quickly indeed in bringing a project forward.

“We have already instigated far reaching enabling works which are substantial and significant in our commitment to the preservation of the remaining fabric whilst we develop the detail around the plans.”

Mr Finch said Rushbond, which owns a number of buildings in the city, would hopes to unveil more specific plans for the site in spring this year.