VIDEO: Images from the past as Carlsberg confirms plan to sell Tetley Brewery site

The 22-acre plot is in the city’s South Bank, a former industrial heartland which is being marketed as one of the best regeneration opportunities in Europe.

It is believed the sale has attracted interest from potential buyers including Leeds City Council, Asda and Ikea as well as a number of well-known property developers and investors.

There are said to be 11 parties in total who have until July 21 to submit bids. The others are believed to include St Modwen, Town Centre Securities, Caddick and M&G.

Carlsberg closed the brewery - one of the city’s oldest businesses - in 2011 and demolished it a year later to make way for a car park.

The old headquarters was converted into a celebrated art gallery, The Tetley.

Leeds City Council wants to transform the South Bank into a 21st century community with family-friendly homes, open spaces and transport connections linking to the new train station for HS2, the high-speed rail link between London and the North of England.

The area comprises South Bank Central, home to Asda’s headquarters and the proposed HS2 station, Holbeck Urban Village, a hub for creative industries, and the Leeds Dock.

The Leeds City Region delegation promoted the area to international investors at the MIPIM international property conference in March.

A spokesman for Carlsberg UK told The Yorkshire Post that the company would take care to select a purchaser who will respect the site’s heritage and be proactive in bringing forward a successful, high quality development.

He added: “Regardless of any future sale and redevelopment of the site, it is our intention to retain an existing operation in the local area.

“We hope to be able to announce the successful purchaser prior to the end of 2015.”

The spokesman said Carlsberg wanted to avoid leaving the site dormant following the closure of the brewery and brought in a series of temporary uses including The Tetley, some green recreational space and opening up pedestrian and cycle routes.

Around 100 employees remained in office-based roles on the site and this team has increased to more than 150 in recent years, he added.

The spokesman said: “Five years on, we have commenced a process to select a purchaser for the site who will be able to take forward the site’s redevelopment.

“We recognise the potential of the site and its important location within the Leeds South Bank area.”

The South Bank is becoming increasingly appealing to investors.

Commercial Estates Group beat rivals to buy a portfolio of sites from Royal Bank of Scotland with a near £10m bid.

It can also be revealed that the Igloo Regeneration Fund is putting the Round Foundry and Marshalls Mill estate on the market with a price tag of around £30m.

The estate in Holbeck is home to around 150 fast-growth businesses and seven independent food and drink venues.

Leeds City Council has commissioned engineering consultancy Arup to produce a masterplan for the South Bank area.

A spokeswoman for Arup said it is continuing to work on the masterplan and is being supported by Gehl Architects.

The local authority is also in talks with Network Rail and HS2 Ltd about station infrastructure in the area.