Businesses 'petrified' for future of oldest street

In April, 85 Kirkgate collapsed and the road has been closed to traffic since

A battle to buy and save derelict buildings on one of Leeds' oldest streets has begun after negotiations with their owner reached a stalemate.

Leeds City Council said it had tried to work with City Fusion for more than a decade but had been unable to agree a proposal to renovate 83-89 Kirkgate.

It intends to serve the company with an urgent works notice, which would give it the authority to carry out emergency works and then recover the costs from the company, and is waiting for government approval.

The manager of a neighbouring cafe and bar said the situation was "petrifying" due to the safety risk posed by the condition of the buildings.

On 12 April, 85 Kirkgate collapsed and the road has been closed to traffic since.

There have also been fires at 101, 86 and 87 Kirkgate, all of which are owned by City Fusion.

Businesses on the street have complained that the enforced closure has led to a drop in footfall and the building itself remained in a dangerous condition.

A National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £1.5m, which was awarded to the council for the regeneration of Lower Kirkgate, expires in December.

Council documents confirmed that it had "not been possible" to enter into agreement with the owner on how the grant, which can only be spent on renovation work, would be used.

Wapentake, a bar and cafe, said the road closure has impacted trade

Manager of Wapentake, a bar and cafe, Niamh Wilkinson, said: “With the buildings in the state they are, it’s a massive safety hazard.”

She added that Wapentake had almost closed in June due to the impact on its trade before an investment firm came to its rescue.

Ms Wilkinson said something had to be done about the state of buildings on the street.

"Maybe they will fall on someone.

"What if it causes businesses further harm? What if electric lines get cut? It’s petrifying."

Over the road, the owner of arts and crafts shop Fred Aldous said he did not care who owned the buildings “as long as something is done with them”.

The area is close to the First White Cloth Hall, which was served with an urgent works notice under previous owners Emco after it became a safety hazard.

National Lottery funding was also used to redevelop the building and the site was acquired by Rushbond.

Ms Wilkinson said a similar scheme as the First White Cloth Hall regeneration for 85 Kirkgate “would be perfect".

"It would be lovely – a shop, or another café or anything, even flats. And you wouldn’t see the big white, ugly barricades everywhere.”

Mr Aldous also said it would also be great to see the street pedestrianised.

Buildings next door to the First White Cloth Hall, which was developed using National Lottery money in 2018

Leeds City Council said repairs to make 85 Kirkgate safe would cost £700,000 and it was waiting for approval for an urgent works notice from the government.

It has also set an October deadline to make a purchase agreement at market value with City Fusion.

If an agreement could not be reached then it could issue a compulsory purchase order but said that would be a “last resort”.

Council documents said the state of the buildings had "serious implications" for public safety and the authority needed to "take a more direct role" in securing the future of heritage properties.

City Fusion was contacted for comment, but had not responded at time of publication.

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