Call to pedestrianise one of city's oldest streets

One of Leeds's oldest streets, which has been closed for nearly two years since a building collapse, should be pedestrianised, the city's civic trust has said.

The emergency closure of Kirkgate, on what was a city centre bus route, was put in place in April 2024 after part of an 18th Century structure fell down.

Leeds Civic Trust said one of the "few positives from the collapse" was that businesses had been able to provide more outdoor space and a safer pedestrian area while traffic was not allowed.

Martin Hamilton, director of the trust, said although traders on Kirkgate had initially been affected by the closure, pedestrianisation would enable the area to become "a jewel in the city's crown".

Several independent businesses are located on the road - whose origins date back at least 1,000 years and which is near the city's landmark Corn Exchange - including bars, cafes and a barber shop.

Hamilton said: "When the building collapsed, the hoardings had to be placed around there, which meant no through-traffic was possible.

"The traders feel that although it's been a negative in lots of ways, the one positive is that you can have seating outside and tables.

"They feel that once those buildings have been restored then it should be pedestrianised."

Jonathan Morgan, one of the owners of Wapentake and Doghouse on Kirkgate, said footall had plummeted by as much as 50% since the neighbouring building had collapsed.

He said pedestrianisation would give traders "the best chance of success" and enable the street "to shine once more".

He added: "Whilst we fully understand that this event was outside anyone's control, what happens next is not."

Chris Makin, who explained he regularly used Kirkgate, said: "It's been a bit of a bus corridor more than anything else, and I think the whole area, given how historical it is, needs to be treated with more care and compassion."

The 51-year-old business development manager added: "You've got some fantastic buildings down there, places of real national and local significance.

"I think pedestrianisation would be a great start to be able to offer that cultural quarter in the city and somewhere we can be proud of."

Hamilton said it was hoped that once restoration work of the buildings had been completed, discussions would be held with West Yorkshire Combined Authority on whether a permanent closure of the road could be put in place.

Leeds City Council said contractors had now begun preparatory work ahead of "a main programme of stabilisation" on Kirkgate.

A spokesperson for the authority added: "We recognise the situation on Lower Kirkgate has been a source of frustration for many people.

"As a council, we have worked hard - while following all the necessary legal processes - to reach a stage where we can make these privately-owned heritage assets safe once again."

They said work "to preserve the historic fabric of the buildings" was expected to take about 24 weeks to complete and further updates would follow.

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