Heritage-led regen completes at Leeds’ New Briggate

A council-led initiative funded by £1.3m from Historic England’s High Streets Heritage Action Zones programme has completed after a three-year restoration effort.

Key works have included the installation of timber sash windows and reinstatement of traditional shopfronts on a terrace of properties opposite Leeds Grand Theatre, ensuring the buildings complement nearby landmarks such as the Grand Arcade and St John’s Church.

Further improvements saw new Yorkstone paving laid at the churchyard steps of St John’s, which dates back to the 1630s and is the oldest surviving place of worship in the city centre.

A large section of terrazzo paving at the Grand Arcade’s upper entrance was also restored following damage.

The HAZ investment builds on a broader transformation of the New Briggate area, which has seen significant infrastructure and placemaking activity.

Recent council-led works include the pedestrianisation of the lower end of New Briggate, creating a traffic-free public space with trees, benches and outdoor café seating; highway upgrades, with wider pavements and improved cycling facilities; public realm improvements on neighbouring Merrion Street, including new surfacing and footways; and Opera North’s £18m redevelopment of its New Briggate and Harrison Street buildings.

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The reconfiguration of New Briggate’s highway layout was enabled by the £173.5m Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme, which permanently re-routed bus services to Vicar Lane.

New Briggate was created in the mid-19th century to connect Briggate with North Street and was included in the Grand Quarter Conservation Area in 2017.

Cllr Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: “Leeds is a modern, forward-thinking city, but it also has a proud history that we must celebrate and, wherever possible, harness to positive effect.

“I’m delighted, therefore, that the New Briggate High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme has 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.

“The success of the scheme and the support it received from Historic England also highlights, once again, the power of partnership working.

“What has been achieved is really impressive and I look forward to seeing this famous street – and the businesses that call it home – continuing to go from strength to strength in the future.”

Bryan Davies, conservation architect at Historic England, said: “The success of the New Briggate High Street Heritage Action Zone proves that 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.”

Douglas West, property director at Grand Arcade owner ATC Properties, said: “The improvements that have been made to New Briggate are great to see, they’ve had a really positive impact on what was already a vibrant and welcoming street.

“The restoration of the terrazzo paving outside our New Briggate entrance was a hugely impressive piece of work and one that I know has been very well received by the Grand Arcade’s businesses and customers alike.”