Repairs on collapsed city centre building to begin

The building, on Kirkgate in Leeds city centre, collapsed in April 2024

Contractors have been hired to carry out repairs on one of the oldest streets in Leeds following the collapse of a building there 16 months ago.

Safety works on Lower Kirkgate could start by the end of this month, according to Leeds City Council.

The road, near the landmark Corn Exchange, has been closed to traffic since April 2024, when one of the 18th Century buildings partially caved in. A legal notice was served on the owner and up to £700,000 of council funds was set aside for emergency maintenance.

A spokesperson for the council said: "With detailed planning for the work now in its final stages, it is hoped a start on site should be possible by the end of September."

The council said a 16-week repair programme would be carried out by building firm Geo Houlton and Sons, at a cost of £414,500.

The council spokesperson said: "Once a start date has been confirmed, an update will be provided on arrangements, including the management of an exclusion zone around the site which will allow the work to be carried out safely and securely."

The building on Kirkgate collapsed in April last year

In December, the council served an urgent works notice on the owner of the buildings.

It meant the council could carry out the repairs itself and reclaim the cost if they did not take action.

A council report said: "The owner has declined to do the works, citing a lack of funds and that the cost of the works is disproportionate relative to the heritage significance of the Kirkgate properties as the reasons."

Talks were held over a sale of 83 to 88-99 Kirkgate to the council, but the owner disputed a valuation of the properties, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

As a last resort, council bosses said they could potentially use compulsory purchase powers on the buildings "with a view to them being fully restored and brought back into meaningful long-term use".

They said the buildings posed no risk to public safety after nearby businesses complained of the impact on their trade.

The building's owner has been contacted by the BBC for comment.

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