Leeds city centre: 10 empty buildings in The Headrow and what we know about their futures

The Headrow has long been one of the best known streets in the city centre but a number of its most prominent buildings are currently standing empty, along with a number of former shops and restaurants.

By Richard Beecham

Published 19th Nov 2022, 16:30 BST

After consulting Leeds City Council’s planning portal, and numerous property websites, we built up a good idea of what’s likely to happen to some of the iconic street’s former business premises.

While some seem to have bright futures to look forward to, others have a less than certain fate.

We take a look at what was once on the sites, and what is expected to take their place in the coming months and years.

Known as Permanent House, this was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and built in 1931. It originally consisted of nine shops and 89 offices used by the Leeds Electricity Department, Inland Revenue, and Cadbury's. It would eventually become the home to Leeds Building Society's head office, before the banking group left for new premises in Sovereign Street back in 2021.
The site is now expected to become a new mathematics school, able to take on 240 learners, all aged between 16 and 19, and could eventually hold 400 students.

(Pic: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

1. Former Leeds Building Society Headquarters

Known as Permanent House, this was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and built in 1931. It originally consisted of nine shops and 89 offices used by the Leeds Electricity Department, Inland Revenue, and Cadbury's. It would eventually become the home to Leeds Building Society's head office, before the banking group left for new premises in Sovereign Street back in 2021. The site is now expected to become a new mathematics school, able to take on 240 learners, all aged between 16 and 19, and could eventually hold 400 students. (Pic: Jonathan Gawthorpe) Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe

The grade II listed building was opened in 1938, and became the flagship Barclay's Bank branch in Leeds, before closing in 2022. There appear to be no planning applications in place for the site. (Pic: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

2. Former Barclay's Bank and Chambers

The grade II listed building was opened in 1938, and became the flagship Barclay's Bank branch in Leeds, before closing in 2022. There appear to be no planning applications in place for the site. (Pic: Jonathan Gawthorpe) Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe

Another part of the redevelopment of the Headrow in the 1930s - the grade II listed building was home to Lloyds Bank until 2015. It has been empty ever since. An application for listed building consent to convert the building into 23 flats was approved by Leeds City Council last month.
(Pic: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

3. Former Lloyds Bank

Another part of the redevelopment of the Headrow in the 1930s - the grade II listed building was home to Lloyds Bank until 2015. It has been empty ever since. An application for listed building consent to convert the building into 23 flats was approved by Leeds City Council last month. (Pic: Jonathan Gawthorpe) Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe

Proposals approved by Leeds City Council planning chiefs in 2020 will see a new five-storey building at 19-20 East Parade and to convert the adjacent Grade II listed former Jubilee Hotel to create a 43 unit apart-hotel. The Headrow side is the former Circus Circus Pub, built in 1904.
(Pic Jonathan Gawthorpe)

4. Corner of East Parade and The Headrow

Proposals approved by Leeds City Council planning chiefs in 2020 will see a new five-storey building at 19-20 East Parade and to convert the adjacent Grade II listed former Jubilee Hotel to create a 43 unit apart-hotel. The Headrow side is the former Circus Circus Pub, built in 1904. (Pic Jonathan Gawthorpe) Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe

Formerly the premises of clothes retailer Bank, Barburrito opened on the site in 2010. Its quick Mexican dishes proved popular, with the chain opening another site on Boar Lane. However, the Headrow site closed in March 2020 shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic. Burrito-lovers can still get hold of spicy treats at the Boar Lane site. No planning applications appear to have been submitted for the listed site, meaning it could be empty for the foreseeable future. (Pic: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

5. Former Barburrito

Formerly the premises of clothes retailer Bank, Barburrito opened on the site in 2010. Its quick Mexican dishes proved popular, with the chain opening another site on Boar Lane. However, the Headrow site closed in March 2020 shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic. Burrito-lovers can still get hold of spicy treats at the Boar Lane site. No planning applications appear to have been submitted for the listed site, meaning it could be empty for the foreseeable future. (Pic: Jonathan Gawthorpe) Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe

George's Great British Kitchen opened in 2016, and became known for serving British classics including fish and chips to hungry diners visiting The Light. However, the restaurant suddenly closed in summer 2022. It was previously home to high-end clothing shops Superdry and Ark, which replaced the Proibito fashion retailer in 2009.
Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe

6. Former George's Great British Kitchen

George's Great British Kitchen opened in 2016, and became known for serving British classics including fish and chips to hungry diners visiting The Light. However, the restaurant suddenly closed in summer 2022. It was previously home to high-end clothing shops Superdry and Ark, which replaced the Proibito fashion retailer in 2009. Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe

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