Work finishes on historic street's £1.3m makeover

New Briggate was built in the mid-19th Century

Work has finished on a multimillion-pound scheme to improve one of Leeds city centre's oldest streets, which the council pledged would ensure it went "from strength to strength".

The £1.3m makeover of New Briggate had seen "heritage-led" improvements to buildings and public spaces, including to part of St John's Church, the city centre's oldest surviving place of worship, the council said.

Restoration work also involved fitting timber sash windows and reinstating traditional frontages to a row of shops opposite Leeds Grand Theatre.

Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council's deputy leader, said the results were "a shining example of how all that has gone before can shape what we are and do today".

The three-year scheme was carried out using funding from Historic England's High Streets Heritage Action Zones (HAZ) programme.

New Briggate, pictured in 1944, became part of a new conservation area in Leeds city centre in 2017

New Briggate was created in the mid-19th Century as a linking point between Briggate and North Street.

In 2017, the street became part of the newly-designated Grand Quarter Conservation Area.

The work had aimed to use materials and conversion methods that fitted with the look of neighbouring landmarks, including the Grand Arcade and St John's Church, according to the council.

It included laying new paving on the approach to a set of steps leading up to the churchyard at St John's, which dates back to the 17th Century.

Pryor, who is also the council's executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said he was "delighted" the work had been able to "make such significant improvements to one of our oldest streets".

"The results are a shining example of how all that has gone before – in architecture, design, culture and so much more – can shape what we are and do today," he added.

Bryan Davies, conservation architect at Historic England, said: "The success of the New Briggate High Street Heritage Action Zone proves heritage is not just about the past, but can act as a powerful catalyst for future growth.

"Heritage-led regeneration can create impactful and sustainable change on our high streets in a way that improves people's lives, making them a better place to work, live and visit."

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