City may bid for lottery cash to save historic hall from demolition

Conservationists, including Leeds Civic Trust, have long been calling for action to save the city’s First White Cloth Hall in Kirkgate.

The hall was built for producers of undyed cloth who had previously traded in Briggate and was instrumental in establishing Leeds as a key commercial centre.

It is hoped that a bid for cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) can save the historic cloth hall from demolition.

Members of Leeds City Council’s executive board will meet on April 11 to decide whether to submit a full bid for £1.5m from the HLF to safeguard the future of the cloth hall and regenerate the Kirkgate area of the city.

A report to councillors says: “Kirkgate is Leeds’s first street and there is evidence of an Anglo-Saxon settlement in the area.

“The buildings that can be seen today illustrate the city’s 19th century development, making the site one of major historic value.

“The fabric of the street has deteriorated over many years with many properties vacant or underused, in contrast with its surroundings. The lack of investment is in part due to the additional cost associated with the refurbishment of heritage rich buildings and by the blighting effect of the First White Cloth Hall.”

Speaking earlier, Green councillor Ann Blackburn (Farnley and Wortley), said the money was needed to tackle an area that had become an eyesore.

A development masterplan has been put together for the area near the cloth hall.

It is at an early stage but suggestions include creating better pedestrian links to bring more people into that part of the city and attracting private investment.