Leeds Kirkgate Market: Plans for a major new hotel development to go before councillors next week

Subject to feedback from panel members at the meeting, a full planning application is expected to be submitted in July.

The council-owned George Street site earmarked for the six-storey hotel development is occupied by a number of vacant low-rise shop units.

The 143-room hotel would be developed by the council, with a pre-let lease in place with a proposed operator.

The ground floor would be home to commercial units and a council-operated gym.

Planning permission for an aparthotel complex on the same site at George Street was granted in 2018 but this has since expired after progress was hampered by the onset of the covid-19 pandemic.

Coun Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council's executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “The proposed hotel would add another vibrant piece to the jigsaw by contributing to the regeneration of George Street and acting as a visually-impressive linking point between Vicar Lane, the Eastgate roundabout and Quarry Hill.”

Mr Pryor added: “These plans also underline our commitment to the market and its future as a much-loved fixture on our retail scene that is now attracting more than 400,000 visitors a month.”