SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

I notice in a list of planning applications in the 'Public Notices' section of the Yorkshire Evening Post today that there are applications for 52-54 Albion Street, which is where are the premises currently occupied by The Observatory, other businesses and the already closing down (or closed) Austin Reed. On checking I found that Sainsbury's hope to have a convenience store there (I hope the exterior structure at least is preserved). Sainsbury's already have such stores on Boar Lane and in Leeds Station and elsewhere in the central area of Leeds and seem to be developing one on Vicar Lane. There are already some Tesco's and Morrisons are (late into the game) doing one on Infirmary Street. It seems that it may not be long before convenience stores outnumber betting and charity shops! I wonder if the Sainsbury's in what was Allders (the old Lewis's) will be closed when the Albion Street one is open?

Leodian wrote: I notice in a list of planning applications in the 'Public Notices' section of the Yorkshire Evening Post today that there are applications for 52-54 Albion Street, which is where are the premises currently occupied by The Observatory, other businesses and the already closing down (or closed) Austin Reed. On checking I found that Sainsbury's hope to have a convenience store there (I hope the exterior structure at least is preserved). Sainsbury's already have such stores on Boar Lane and in Leeds Station and elsewhere in the central area of Leeds and seem to be developing one on Vicar Lane. There are already some Tesco's and Morrisons are (late into the game) doing one on Infirmary Street. It seems that it may not be long before convenience stores outnumber betting and charity shops! I wonder if the Sainsbury's in what was Allders (the old Lewis's) will be closed when the Albion Street one is open? Leo I think the Sainsbury's in the former Lewis's building is regarded as a small supermarket rather than a convenience store and as such won't be closing. Indeed there is a Sainsbury's closer to the new proposal because Woodhouse Lane in the Merrion Centre is closer. Also has the YEP struck again or is it your "translation" of the planning permission. Its presumably the Conservatory. The Observatory most recently Flares and previously the penny bank is on the corener of Boar Lane and Bishopgate Street and apparently set to open soon as the Black Prince (a restaurant come pub)

They're identifying a need though aren't they?And I don't think it's necessarily a 'bad thing' if they outnumber betting and charity shops, which have been the signature of failing high streets in many places for several years.When I worked in the centre of Leeds, if I wanted some basic groceries on my way home I had to schlep up to Morrison's, way out of my way. I would have welcomed one of these small stores.

Ooops you are right tyke bhoy, it is the Conservatory. My bad! I agree Geordie-exile that they are not a "bad thing" but I do wonder if there may be so many that they probably cannot all be profitable and if more come along then there could be a glut of closed such premises in due course (OK, likely a few years yet).    

tyke bhoy wrote: [ The Observatory most recently Flares and previously the penny bank is on the corener of Boar Lane and Bishopgate Street and apparently set to open soon as the Black Prince (a restaurant come pub) This is indeed good news - the sloppy "cheap" condition of that lovely prominent building has, for many years, been heartbreaking to see. I also like the name which has been chosen.

BLAKEY wrote: tyke bhoy wrote: [ The Observatory most recently Flares and previously the penny bank is on the corener of Boar Lane and Bishopgate Street and apparently set to open soon as the Black Prince (a restaurant come pub) This is indeed good news - the sloppy "cheap" condition of that lovely prominent building has, for many years, been heartbreaking to see. I also like the name which has been chosen. It might not be quite what you wish for Blakey http://www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk/theblackprinceleeds/ .The website smacks very much of Wetherspoons to me although Sky/BT Sports aren't shown in Wetherspoons pubs. However at least it will be open again. Maybe we should be talking about increasing numbers of licensed establishments given the recent opening on Mill Hill and the Griffin opening next Friday

[quotenick="tyke bhoy"] BLAKEY wrote: tyke bhoy wrote: [ The Observatory most recently Flares and previously the penny bank is on the corener of Boar Lane and Bishopgate Street and apparently set to open soon as the Black Prince (a restaurant come pub) It might not be quite what you wish for Blakey http://www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk/theblackprinceleeds/ .The website smacks very much of Wetherspoons to me although Sky/BT Sports aren't shown in Wetherspoons pubs. However at least it will be open again. Maybe we should be talking about increasing numbers of licensed establishments given the recent opening on Mill Hill and the Griffin opening next Friday Well tyke bhoy I must admit this comes as a surprise as I'd assumed it would be a "one off" privately financed snazzy affair. From the menus though, and I've been in a few "Sizzling" eateries from time to time, it may suit me quite well for the occasional tuck in without being ripped off, and very handy for the buses and trains too. Some of the smaller dishes, like 4oz gammon, sound incredibly good value and such places often present quite a tasty plate nicely cooked as long as you're not a dedicated "Cordon bleu" person.So, may pop in and give it a try, and also it does sound as if the Chain propose to deal with the building sympathetically.The signage on the Griffin is brilliant and brings back a real touch of "traditional" Boar Lane, as does the simply astonishing Arkwright's hardware store nearby - heartwarming for we Oldies who are sick of over modernisation and trendyism which increasingly threatens to sweep away the real "Leeds" - any volunteers to help me out of this mud that I've got stuck in ??     

It really is a "full circle" scenario with all these people living in the centre and food shops popping up. Until they pulled down the slums people used to live and shop in the centre and it is now reverting to that. What i am not keen on though are the apartment blocks that have sprung up. Some of them look a bit "Lego-y".

grumpybloke wrote: What i am not keen on though are the apartment blocks that have sprung up. Some of them look a bit "Lego-y". I suspect some of them would have a longer lifespan if they were built of lego

I had to laugh at the comments about the apartments as I'm inclined to agree and with news stories about the water being off for weeks on end and the like I can't see us being wrong.Sadly I no longer work in the city centre but when I did, and when I've stayed in the centre, I did find that only recently have there been places to buy groceries when needed. As it stands I find the Sainsbury's in Leeds City Station a very useful and relatively recent addition. I just hope, as those who replied above, that the buildings chosen won't have their character taken away or anything removed should a future use come along.