Kirkgate repairs to take until March 2027 following building collapse

Delayed repairs on a crumbling city centre street are expected to be completed almost three years after the partial collapse of a building.

Leeds City Council has set out its latest timeline for building work on Lower Kirkgate, which is among the city’s oldest streets.

In April 2024, one of the 18th century buildings caved in, leading to the road being closed to traffic.

Efforts to have repairs carried out ran into complications after the council served a legal notice on the owners.

The council confirmed it had awarded a £680,000 contract to Geo Houlton and Sons and the 20-week repair scheme would start later this month.

A council report said: “The proposed contract start date is October 19, with a completion date of March 22, 2027.”

The cost of the repairs rose by more than £260,000 after an initial price was first estimated.

The council set aside £700,000 to pay for the repairs, with the intention of eventually recovering the costs after Urgent Works Notices were served.

The owner of the buildings near Leeds Corn Exchange has been approached for a comment.

A council spokesperson said:“We are pleased that, following months of careful planning and preparation, we are now in a position to begin stabilising these privately owned buildings.

“A contract has been awarded for the work, which is scheduled to get under way later this month and is expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.”

The council said it could seek to recover costs under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, “subject to the owner’s right to make representations to the secretary of state.”

The report said: “The temporary repair of the buildings will mitigate the risk of further building failure and the threat to public safety.

“It will also improve the trading conditions of local businesses and safeguard the regeneration of this part of the city centre.”

The council said preparatory work was carried out at the site earlier this year.

The spokesperson added: “As always, we thank the local community for their continued patience and support.”