Your first look inside the new Victoria Gate development in Leeds

The Yorkshire Post was given exclusive access just a matter of months before the retail and leisure scheme will be officially unveiled to the public.

The number of people working on the site is now at its peak, with more than 300 people putting the finishing touches to the construction as it rolls into its last few weeks before shop fitters move in.

The striking development includes two arcades covered with a glass roof – similar to its sister scheme Victoria Quarter.

The most eye-catching element is a huge circular window that offers shoppers a glimpse of the sky above, pouring light into the arcades.

A white thatched-type steel frame work supports the glass window, which will be surrounded by LED lights that will stretch along the arcade to mimic the light outside.

Facade manager Louis Mansfield said: “The roof has the appearance of bringing the outside inside. The LED lights will run all along the ceiling.

“The roof really has the wow factor for me. It will look very impressive when it’s done.”

It’s starting to take shape, as the curved glass shop fronts are put into place and the granite floor tiles – shipped all the way from China – are laid.

“The tiles have already been laid in out in sequence in the factory then numbered and brought over here to relay them in exactly the same order.

“It’s just like a very big jigsaw puzzle.”

The official launch date is set to be revealed in the coming weeks, and the finishing touches to the construction are being carried out.

The rest of the twisted aluminium fins will be added to the car park at Eastgate, with each strand carefully shaped and set in place to mimic the diamond design on the neighbouring John Lewis building, once completed.