SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

I know the building has been renovated, burnt down, refurbished and knocked about but has anybody given it a good going over for oddities and its history?The other day I noticed a stone arch with "Egg and Cheese Market" engraved on it. This is in what we now call the fish market/game row, on the right about half way down, appropriately above an eggs and cheese shop (diversified into dry goods and Polish food).The 1930's extension to the back of butcher's row on Gerorge Street is probably going to be demolished as being of little architectural merit. I actually like it as it feels really 1930's.I fear for the place. The tenants complain about the rent and the stalls stand empty. Always seems to be the precursor for redevelopment when 'the authorities' can say it's not being used when they have contrived its demise, allegedly.Did you notice that Sweeney's the butchers, closed due to a food poisoning incident, reopened as "Todd's". Think about it

There is another thread which discusses the likely plight of the market once upgrading commences and indeed the way in which the traditional elements of everything which epitomises what the market was, are being leached away.So many of the smaller traders are being prised out because although they may do good trade, their financial might does not compare with the model seen to be that required to command a spot in a town with such large rents, rents which will undoubtedly rise further once the rebuild is complete and a niggling fear that these good people will be ousted and replaced with the generic businesses we see elsewhere and all around us in the city and the creation of another Shopping Centre also (once) known as the Market.Just look at the number of stalls already vacant and livelihoods lostThe market is reported to have made a profit last year in the region of £M1.5.

I have no desire to see another Victoria Quarter. I have maybe shopped in there once a year since it opened.Witht e current economic cliamte the market is essential and they would be much better dropping the rents and encouraging interesting and diverse businesses. You might even find some of the boutique shops choosing to come to the market as rents rise elsewhere. in any case are those who are runnign the market not being a tad unrealistic? Were I a stallholder or indeed paying rent on any commercial property i would be looking for an ex-gratia reduction in rent in this time of economic decline, citing possible business failure and loss of revenure ot them should the not agree.If they plant to attract loads of new businesses with deep pockets I think they will be sadly disappointed. The Corn Exchange for example.

dont get me wrong, I love the market and go there regularly, but it does look delapidated and could do with a facelift. Let's not forget the temporary structures after the fire are still there 34 years later. I like the look of the uniformity of the Victoria Quarter, (albeit I only ever use it as a cut through to get to the market), and think that something like this would help. Going down Butchers Row now doesnt smell like it used to, but a lick of paint wouldnt go amiss!

LS1 wrote: dont get me wrong, I love the market and go there regularly, but it does look delapidated and could do with a facelift. Let's not forget the temporary structures after the fire are still there 34 years later. I like the look of the uniformity of the Victoria Quarter, (albeit I only ever use it as a cut through to get to the market), and think that something like this would help. Going down Butchers Row now doesnt smell like it used to, but a lick of paint wouldnt go amiss! Quite a lot of work was done on the market what - 10 years ago? maybe more, with the flags relaid and the remainder of the alley-ways refinished and sealed and quite a decent paint job to the remaining bits of the old market. Since then, other than pushing on twith the new-style box shop units, not much. With the plans for a major 'face lift' looming, not much will be done I suppose.If you read back and from the literature at the time, there are references to the temporary market being replaced with a new, (more) permanent, temporary market - not to forget that it's actually made of two new bits!!!! That is what is there now and is said to be nearing the end of its life if I remember the reports correctly

To say it's temporary there's nowt wrong with it as far as the purpose it was built for goes. Not sure why it has to be so hight they could build a mezzanine in there and nearly double the capacity..

Yeah, the old Victorian bit that was saved from the fire is OK, it's just the rest that looks kind of tired these days!

I don't think they need to do too much, they could level the low rises on the east side and build a new frontage and paint the south side but the cavernous "new" market interior is OK, a nice fancy wrought iron clad mezzanine would be great. No shop is over 10 feet high and the roof must be 30 feet up. Shops such as George at Crown Point built a mezzanine level and it is great.