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Shell of former glory


Published on Thursday 20 November 2008 13:08

ARE the city's beautiful and distinctive buildings safe in the hands of Leeds City Council?

I ask because the former Allders department store on The Headrow is, literally, a shell of its former glory. Gone are the beautiful 1920s/30s chrome, brass and glass lighting, fittings and sweeping staircases, to be replaced by nasty, cheap plastic, vinyl and chipboard. There was much talk about 'saving' the facade and the distinctive character of the building when its previous owners put it onto the market, and Leeds Civic Trust lobbied hard. Have the developers overstepped – or did Leeds City Council give them the green light to tear the heart out of this building? I think we should be told.

Younger Leeds citizens will not perhaps be aware that LCC once tried hard in the name of progress/profit to bulldoze Kirkgate Market – now celebrated by that same authority as a jewel in the city's crown. This is not of course on the same scale, but the same principle applies. Of course we need renewal, renovation and new buildings – but not at the expense of the irreplaceable architectural treasures that confer distinctiveness on the city and make it a lovely place to be.

I would welcome a public response from the city council about Allders; and perhaps also they could at the same time explain their heritage policy and strategy to your readers.

Vanessa Bridge, Chapel Allerton


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