The Tetley: Kirkstall Brewery announces huge plans for landmark Leeds brewery building

Kirkstall Brewery, which has its impressive headquarters on Kirkstall Road, unveiled plans today (March 15) to take on the lease of The Tetley, on Hunslet Road.

The striking 1930s art deco building was formerly home to the Tetley Brewery. In more recent years, it has played host to world-class exhibitions in its use as an art gallery.

But in a significant blow to the arts and culture scene in Leeds at the end of last year, it was announced that the gallery was to leave the building – raising questions about its future use.

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In an announcement today, bosses at Kirkstall Brewery confirmed they would be transforming The Tetley into a “showcase of the very best brewing in Leeds”.

They said the building is set to feature beers from other breweries in the region, as well as brands from Kirkstall Brewery and Leeds Brewery.

It will also showcase brands from North - which Kirkstall Brewery owner and founder Steve Holt rescued from the brink of administration at the start of the year.

Work is set to commence on preparing the site for its reopening imminently, with plans for The Tetley to be back in use by May.

Owner and founder Steve Holt said: “It’s a tremendous privilege to bring Leeds’ most iconic brewery building into the Kirkstall fold.

“As a brewery that pays a great deal of respect to the history of brewing in the city, we believe we are the ideal custodians for the next chapter of this legendary building.”

The YEP reported earlier this week that the team behind The Tetley art gallery had so far been unsuccessful in finding a new home in the city centre, after it left the brewery building last year.

A spokesperson for the organisation, that had been based at the building for 10 years, said that despite promising enquiries about a new base, "due to the financial climate these plans have not materialised".

The Tetley building - and the new Aire Park development where it stands - are owned by Vastint UK. Michael Cronin, the developer's Head of Portfolio, said: "Last year we outlined our ambitions to safeguard this iconic building for the next 100 years and have now submitted our plans to the council.

“Since we became custodians of the building, it was always our intention to keep it open until the restoration work got underway to bring this fantastic building up to 21st century standards.

“So, we’re thrilled to be welcoming Kirkstall Brewery to Aire Park and to be bringing one of the current generations of Leeds and Yorkshire breweries to a site which has played such a pivotal role in the history of beer making in the region.

“The Tetley will form the centre piece of Aire Park. Alongside the eight-acre public park, this collaboration will hopefully give the people of Leeds a small taster of what’s to come in the very near future.”

Mr Holt added: “It really is the crown jewel of brewing history in Leeds, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to make it a landmark of Yorkshire beer culture once again."