SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

In a report on page 10 of the Yorkshire Evening Post (YEP) today (May 25 2013) it states an application has been submitted to "demolish derelict buildings at Calls Wharf, off The Calls on the banks of the River Aire. The company wants permission to build 77 apartments and 14,500 sq ft of new property intended for bars, restaurants and commercial units." (the YEP report has some more information).On checking the planning application website of Leeds City Council I found what might be the summary details that will be brought up through this link https://publicaccess.leeds.gov.uk/onlin ... VENJB17S00 (I did not seem to be able to get detailed information with that). The building numbers 14-28 The Calls does include the long disused H C Atkinson Builders Merchants building that has had previous mentions in SL. This link should bring up a Google Street View of that and a building next to it http://goo.gl/maps/q1wzcIf the development goes ahead I wonder if any of the old goit may be exposed?

This document, which is part of the planning application, shows the course of the old Mill Goit, which appears to be part of the sewer now:http://alturl.com/2us75I'm pleased that the intention is to retain the frontage with the Atkinson signage, as I think old signage really adds to the character of a building and preserves some history.    

Interesting. The building has been derelict for as long as I can remember, so it will be good to see it brought back to life, especially with the impressive frontage retained.However, the plans suggest the site may include licensed premises - isn't this where LCC have just announced a total ban on any new licences?

raveydavey wrote: Interesting. The building has been derelict for as long as I can remember, so it will be good to see it brought back to life, especially with the impressive frontage retained.However, the plans suggest the site may include licensed premises - isn't this where LCC have just announced a total ban on any new licences? I think the licence bit is for the bottom of Call Lane where all the bars are,but its not a million miles is it?

Tasa wrote: This document, which is part of the planning application, shows the course of the old Mill Goit, which appears to be part of the sewer now:http://alturl.com/2us75I'm pleased that the intention is to retain the frontage with the Atkinson signage, as I think old signage really adds to the character of a building and preserves some history.    

Things on the move with the Calls developmenthttp://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/...arks-1- ... re/117354-

H C Atkinson Builders MerchantsI Wonder if this the same family as John Atkinson the roofing contractor who was further up the river next to Soapy Joes?

Steve266 wrote:H C Atkinson Builders MerchantsI Wonder if this the same family as John Atkinson the roofing contractor who was further up the river next to Soapy Joes?

I'm descended from H.G. Atkinson, the builder's merchant who had the building in the calls. He was the son of a building contractor, H Atkinson whose yard was in Carlton Hill, roughly where the Woodhouse Lane multi-story car park is now. After building a lot of back to backs and various civic buildings in late Victorian & Edwardian Leeds the building contractor went bust during the depression, but the builders merchants continued to the '60s when my grandad (who was called John Atkinson, but wasn't a roofer) merged the business with several local rivals.

The Atkinsons were joined by marriage to the Nichols who were the engineers who built Leeds Bridge and finished off the Town Hall dome (after the original contractor went bust during the build), anong other things.

Anway, I don't think the roofing contractor was one of our lot, to answer your question!

Welcome to Secret Leeds J Atkinson Thanks for your input its great to hear snippets from the past, old Leeds is going bit by bit.I tend to see Leeds has it was in the fiftys and sixties its such a shame we have lost so much of the old city but tinted glasses springs to mind. All the best to you and your family.