First White Cloth Hall, Kirkgate is one of Leeds most significant buildings; dating back to 1711 it represents a period of Leeds history, quintessential with the rise of Leeds as an economic powerhouse.
Although in recent times the building, which is one of the oldest cloth markets in Yorkshire, has become dilapidated, plans from property company Rushbond, who incidentally owns the Corn Exchange which is just a stone’s throw from the Cloth Hall, have proposed new plans to restore the building.
The restoration of the Grade II listed building will begin in early 2018, and includes a modern rebuild of the buildings former west wing and a glass structure around the old central courtyard area.
Mark Finch, director of Rushbond said: "The revival of the First White Cloth Hall will be pivotal to the ongoing revival of Kirkgate - there are lots of great things happening [here] by lots of different people.
"The oldest street in Leeds now has new stories to tell."