Leeds’ The Tetley to close
After 10 years operating as an art gallery, charity Project Space Leeds will not renew its lease on the former brewery HQ at the end of 2023. Owner Vastint will then carry out refurbishment.
In a statement posted on the venue’s website, PSL said: “Since opening as an art gallery in 2013, we’ve welcomed nearly 1m visitors through our doors – and we’re immensely proud of everything we’ve achieved here.”
In that time, 56 exhibitions have been presented, including a solo show by Turner Prize winner Tai Shani, while it has become a part of the community, with programmes such as play group Tiny Tetley Studio.
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The Tetley has also become a favourite on the conference, events and wedding circuit, and in a broader sense for Leeds has been a flagship in demonstrating the breadth of development coming forward in the South Bank area.
The building was acquired by Vastint UK, which is developing the surrounding mixed-use Aire Park scheme, in 2022.
Although work is ongoing to finalise plans for what the firm refers to as a “cornerstone of the city’s cultural offering,” Vastint intends for the Tetley to continue offering public amenities for both residents and visitors to Leeds to enjoy once it reopens, whatever proposal emerges.
A spokesperson said: “We have worked closely with the PSL team since we acquired the Tetley Building in 2022.
“Over this period we have had regular conversations about our plans to refurbish the building to ensure that it can continue its role as a focal point for community and cultural activities in Leeds.
“PSL’s initial lease expired in November 2022 and we actively worked with them to offer our support including a free lease extension until March 2024.
“They have since informed us of their decision leave in December 2023. Moving forward, we plan to deliver the necessary repairs and modernisation in order to secure the longevity of the building, whilst retaining the original historic features. During these works the building will be uninhabitable and therefore will be closed to the public.
“We’d like to thank PSL and everyone involved for the unbelievable work they’ve done over the last decade and look forward to sharing our plans in the future.”
The on-site exhibition programme will end on 22 October, while November and December will see takeovers of the building for various community events. The doors will close on 17 December, with the artistic programme moving to a new site in 2024.
This is the last remaining building at the former brewery complex, which was closed down by Carlsberg in 2012. Much of the land in the area is being taken forward as Vastint’s mixed-use Aire Park scheme, for which the first residential application was lodged in August – there are two commercial buildings already advancing.
According to its website, The Tetley is funded by Arts Council England and the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund & Leeds City Council via the arts@leeds programme.
