Shopping centre revamp on the agenda to cash in on new arena

councillors will today discuss proposals to revamp a section of the Merrion Centre in Leeds in an attempt to capitalise on those visiting the Arena when it opens.

BDP Architects have devised a plan which would see the closure of the existing Merrion Market to create space for six new units to be occupied by restaurants, bars and a gym.

A report by Leeds Council’s chief planning officer says that the proposals are at an early stage and are being presented to councillors for their comments ahead of the submission of a planning application later in the year.

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His report says that Merrion Market “has a high level of vacancy, with one of its longest standing occupiers, Nevilles DIY, having recently vacated.”

The scheme being worked up would involve the reconfiguration of floorspace within the existing Merrion Market.

“The units would be occupied by restaurants, bars and a gym,” the reports states.

“It is currently intended that units east of the car park access would extend forward of the existing building line. An outdoor seating area would also be formed probably resulting in the loss of existing trees.” The developer is also proposing to remove the canopy to the west of the car park and create glazed shopfronts.

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Existing solid walls which front Wade Lane would be replaced by clear glazed shopfronts and existing pavements would be improved.

The car parking layout is currently being developed with a view to increasing the size of car parking spaces and providing more spaces for parking for disabled people.

As a result the total number of spaces – 1,050 – is likely to drop by around 100, the report notes.

New parking payment arrangements and the possibility of an extra entrance lane are also being looked into.

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The car park operators are also intending to improve the external surface – currently concrete and pebble – partly to deal with safety issues as the masonry is covered in netting to prevent it falling.

New pedestrian lifts and staircases to the car park are also proposed.

Two lifts would be installed at the corner of what is currently the Shopmobility unit.

And a new staircase would be located opposite the lifts close to the existing herbal remedies premises.

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The report says that the redevelopment would result in the loss of the Shopmobility unit and the remaining occupiers of the Merrion Market and that “a strategy for appropriate relocation is being considered.”

There are currently 12 disabled people’s car parking spaces within the car park, although due to the dimensions of the existing lifts these are difficult to access by people in wheelchairs.

The proposed new lifts would be designed to current standards and make the car park far more accessible.

Councillors on the city centre plans panel, who meet today, will be asked to comment on the five following aspects of the proposals.

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The plans for the uses of the buildings and the importance of premises on Merrion Way opening during the day as well as the evening when Arena events are taking place.

Will the design respect and reinforce the “strong modernist form of the car park”?

What about landscaping and the proposed loss of trees?

The loss of informal routes within the building to and from Wade Lane, the Merrion Centre and Merrion Way has to be considered. It could be possible to reintroduce an east-west route from the northern mall to Wade Lane along the line of the existing service road.

What about the loss of the Merrion Market? Although occupancy has steadily reduced and the market may not be viable, a few units do remain in active use.

The report will be discussed today from 1.30pm at Leeds Civic Hall.