University of Leeds buys historic Cloth Hall Court from Leeds Beckett for around £8m

The university has completed the purchase of Cloth Hall Court in Leeds city centre.

The conference and meeting venue on Quebec Street, was sold by Leeds Beckett University for close to the guide price of £8m. Cloth Hall Court has 10 meeting rooms over four floors and room for up to 300 delegates.

The building was originally built for the trading of Yorkshire Broadcloths, which helped Leeds gain its status as a global centre for commerce and trade in the wool and cloth industries. In its heyday, the Coloured Cloth Hall housed 1,770 stalls for merchants to display their goods.

Dennis Hopper, the director of campus development at the University of Leeds, said: “Cloth Hall Court already has an established reputation as one of the best conference and meeting venues in Leeds.

“This acquisition will complement the University of Leeds’ existing venue portfolio, as well as helping to forge new links between the university, the city and our business partners.

“Cloth Hall Court will provide a new base from which the university can build on its strong reputation for innovation, enterprise and professional education. We are looking forward to working with existing and new customers.”

Andrew Ellis and Richard Dunn of Sanderson Weatherall, acted on behalf of the University of Leeds.

Mr Ellis added, “It was a pleasure to secure this purchase on behalf of the university as they strengthen their existing portfolio. Cloth Hall Court is a superb venue and a real asset to the city’s business district. We have no doubt it will prove to be a great investment for the university.”

Eamon Fox at Knight Frank acted on behalf of Leeds Beckett University.

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