Funding boost of £2m will help to revive historic part of city centre

The money will be spent in the Kirkgate area of the city centre and will go towards repairing and refurbishing existing business premises and bringing vacant properties back into use – including the grade II-listed First White Cloth Hall.

The hall, built in 1711, was used by producers of undyed cloth who had previously traded in Briggate and was significant in establishing Leeds as a key commercial centre.

Coun Richard Lewis, executive member responsible for economy and development, visited Lower Kirkgate yesterday to mark the start of the Lower Kirkgate Townscape Heritage Initiative.

He said: “Leeds city centre has a huge amount of developments popping up at the moment.

“We want to make sure the whole of city is keeping up, and this part of the city in particular is very much in need of refurbishment.”

Fiona Spiers, regional director of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “The First White Cloth Hall and the area around Kirkgate is absolutely central to the history and heritage of Leeds.”

Kirkgate was one of the first streets in Leeds. Work is expected to start on the site early next year.