Plan to turn cloth hall into café and tattoo studio

Renovations on First White Cloth Hall were completed in 2021, but it has been empty since then

Plans to turn a Grade II listed building on one of Leeds' oldest streets into a café, bar and tattoo studio have been submitted.

Leeds City Council received a change of use application from property company Rushbond to transform First White Cloth Hall on Kirkgate in the city centre.

Renovations on the historical building were completed in 2021, but it has been empty since then.

It comes as refurbishments to the frontages of neighbouring buildings are set to be carried out, with the street closed to traffic since a partial collapse last April.

First White Cloth Hall dates back to 1711 and is one of the oldest surviving cloth markets in Yorkshire.

It became completely disused in 2010, with renovations to restore the building starting in 2019.

A building on Lower Kirkgate crumbled last April, causing continued disruption on the street

According to planning documents, the ground floor will be used as a restaurant and café, with a bar area.

Plans for the first floor include tattoo and beauty studios, providing hairdressing, nails and make-up treatments.

Miles and Co Coffee shop relocated to the street six months ago, with owner Lee Griffin encouraged by the potential additions.

"Ultimately, the same as in the market, when you have all of the units full it does bring a better atmosphere," he said.

Cameron Bedford, manager of Doghouse Bar and Bagel Shop, feels the street "deserves to be celebrated"

Cameron Bedford, manager of Doghouse Bar and Bagel Shop, thinks the revamp will bring further footfall to the "basically derelict" street.

"The street is the oldest in Leeds and I do think it deserves to be celebrated," he said.

"I feel like a lot of the identity of Leeds is getting stripped out week-by-week with venues closing.

"Something new to bring a bit of excitement to the street, to revive it a little bit, will be exactly what it needs."

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