Coach park set up to cope with demand for new concert arena

A total of 24 pay-and-display bays on Wade Lane – a stone’s throw from the First Direct Arena – have been turned into dedicated coach parking spaces.

The facility, the first of its kind in the city centre, is large enough to take 14 coaches at any one time.

It has been put in place following a multi-million pound renovation of the Woodhouse Lane multi-storey car park, which is expected to be well-used by car drivers attending shows at the 13,500-capacity arena.

A spokeswoman for Leeds City Council said: “For the first time, we are providing dedicated coach parking in Leeds city centre. The spaces on Wade Lade will be available for any coach parties wishing to take advantage of the city’s attractions – shopping, visiting the city’s museums and galleries or First Direct Arena events.”

The 24 bays that have disappeared represent only a fraction of the 18,800 car parking spaces in Leeds city centre.

About £5.5m has been spent on improvements that ensure the Woodhouse Lane multi-storey meets what the local authority describes as “modern standards”. Bruce Springsteen will be the first act to grace the Clay Pit Lane-based arena’s stage when he plays a show on July 24.

The now-defunct regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward, contributed £10m to the cost of the arena, with the rest of the funds coming from the council. Experts estimate the venue will generate about £25m a year for the city’s economy.

It is also hoped the opening of the arena will breathe new life into the area around Clay Pit Lane. Schemes previously announced include a 14-storey hotel at Portland Crescent and a new apartment block on Merrion Way.