SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

I will have walked countless times up and down the steps at the Central Reference Library so it was a surprise when I recently spotted this small metal item well up the far staircase getting close to the Reference Library. It looks like it could have been used to scrape mud and dirt from shoes, but being so far inside the building that would seem odd. It will be about 6 to 8 inches in length and is very close to the pillar but not touching it.

I took these 2 photos today (April 30 2015) but first saw the item and took photos of it a couple of weeks back but those photos were poor as it is in a very difficult position to photograph (perhaps someone can take better photos). I wonder if anyone has any thoughts, or knows, as to what purpose it had (assuming it did have one!).

Don't the stairs have gates on them at some point? I'm sure they do/ did. Is this perhaps a guide for the sliding gate to fit into?

LS1 wrote:Don't the stairs have gates on them at some point? I'm sure they do/ did. Is this perhaps a guide for the sliding gate to fit into?

Hiya LS1

That's an excellent suggestion.

Leodian wrote:

LS1 wrote:Don't the stairs have gates on them at some point? I'm sure they do/ did. Is this perhaps a guide for the sliding gate to fit into?

Hiya LS1

That's an excellent suggestion.

But probably not the right one!

could it be the remnant of an old sliding shutter door?
when the shutter was opened, the bottom track folded up, so that you didn't trip over it.
the bit i have coloured green, is one of the shutter components that was actually attached to the building.
It could have been left to save damaging the floor.

Hi warringtonrhino .

That's also an excellent suggestion. I like your diagram as it reminds me of the old-fashioned gated lifts that used to be in at least the larger shops.

The mention of the old fashioned double gated lifts doors reminds me that they had them in most of the department stores like Hitchens on Briggate (where I worked for one day after leaving school) Schofields and Lewisses ?. usually with an attendant who announced "Going Up / Down and what was available to buy on each floor. The gates opened and closed with a reassuring clang. shame there was not a second safety gate on the lift at the Griffin Hotel Boar Lane in the 1920s where my Uncle Martin was a Bell boy. he fell down the lift shaft .

I seem to think there was a very impressive lift with those gates in the Joseph's Well Building at the entrance nearest the LGI which I think is still there. Leather seats in the lift as well!