Kirkstall Abbey: £8 entrance fee proposed for non-Leeds residents

People are being asked to have their say on proposals to introduce an £8 entrance fee for non-Leeds residents visiting Kirkstall Abbey.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

From today (Jan 10), a six-week online public consultation will be launched, giving people the chance to say what they think about the introduction of a charge for those coming from outside the city to explore the abbey.

Read More
Leeds council to invest £2m in children and families as city prepares for life a...

The proposal has been put forward as part of Leeds City Council' s annual budget for 2022/23.

Kirkstall AbbeyKirkstall Abbey
Kirkstall Abbey
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Council chiefs say if it is adopted, it would contribute to the estimated £65.4million which the authority needs to save in the next financial year.

The consultation will ask for feedback on plans to introduce a charge of £8 for those not registered as Leeds council tax-payers.

Entry would remain free for Leeds residents, with proof of address required on entry.

Kirkstall AbbeyKirkstall Abbey
Kirkstall Abbey

Some income received from the charges will be reinvested in improvements at the site, including a renovated public café and new audio tours of the abbey.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coun Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “The introduction of new or additional charges at any of our sites or attractions is not a decision we’ll ever take lightly, but the harsh reality is that we’re facing budget pressures the likes of which we have never seen and across the council, we need to think of new and innovative ideas to help generate essential extra income and meet the daunting challenges of the coming years.

“With this proposal, we have tried to strike the delicate balance between providing an accessible and affordable visitor experience for the people of Leeds while also ensuring we have a robust and sustainable strategy in place to fund the protection, preservation and enhancement of this historic site.

“We really want to hear what visitors think of these proposals and I’d encourage as many people as possible to get involved, make your voice heard and help us to shape the future of the abbey.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The consultation will run until Feb 20, 2022 and once completed, a decision will be taken on whether the entrance charge will be introduced.

To take part and have your say please visit: https://yourvoice.leeds.gov.uk/kirkstall-abbey-entry-fee

Support the YEP and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news and the latest on Leeds United, With a digital subscription, you see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.