Leeds New Briggate High Street Heritage Action Zone

The Grand Quarter in Leeds was a culturally and commercially important part of the city in the Victorian era with confident architecture such as the Leeds Grand theatre and the Grand Arcade, one of the city's most distinctive shopping arcades.

In more recent years it has developed a rich mix both cultural and nightlife activity with Opera North based at Leeds Grand and a thriving bar and music culture on Merrion Street.

The Grand Quarter's main street New Briggate is not a pleasant place to spend time. It is clogged with buses causing noise and pollution, and the high number of bus stops make it difficult to walk the pavements. There is a lot of vacant building space, especially on the upper floors and the street is prone to anti-social behaviour, which is not helped by the adjacent underused churchyard of St John's Church.

How the Leeds High Street Heritage Action Zone will help

The High Street Heritage Action Zone will help transform the Grand Quarter, by making New Briggate more pedestrian friendly, increasing activity in St John's churchyard and encouraging new bars, restaurants and cafes to the area.

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Working in partnership with

• Leeds City Council