Grand Arcade these days notso

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Sat 21 Jan, 2012 6:48 pm

Jogon wrote: Aspects of Leeds 3, the Lupton Family."..yet the family's famous enterprises are anonymous. Rothwell's Parade black and white Tudor style shops, demolished for the inner ring road at North St. The other enterprise survives.The Grand Arcade built 1897 on the site of the original Lupton Mill. Initially two parallel and interconnecting rows of shops but the northernmost one was converted into the Tower Cinema 1920.The Arcade is most renowned for its automaton clock, made by the famous local firm of Wm/ Potts and desribed by the as 'the greatest horological feat of that century'.It was a Lupton family tradition that the design of the clock was based on one seen by Arthur on a business trip to Nuremberg.."http://youtu.be/ZBXO_Fee4Zg perhaps? Isn't the Duchess of Cambridge (aka Princess Kate) a descendant of the Lupton family? Perhaps some royal encouragement could be brought to bear to get the clock working again..?

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sat 21 Jan, 2012 7:49 pm

Does anyone know of any links to a video/movie showing the Grand Arcade clock working with the figures in action? I have tried searching such as YouTube and a general Google search but have not found any such video/movie. It seems a shame if there is not some around.There are videos in YouTube of the Thornton's Arcade clock, but that was never as exciting to watch as a child than the Grand Arcade clock in action. This is one link to a short YouTube video of Thornton's Arcade clock working (that clock is named as the Ivanhoe Clock, which if that is a common name I've not heard it). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bndzuk2pC1w

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Sat 21 Jan, 2012 11:07 pm

I remember it as a kid 1966 on the way to Lewis's.Can't remember what I did with my keys tho.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Fri 09 Mar, 2012 9:04 pm

Walking in Grand Arcade today I noticed that the clock itself is also not working. Perhaps it just needs a wind up! I had thought it was just the animated mechanism that was not working.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Fri 30 Mar, 2012 11:25 am

The Grand Arcade ie "The Building" is Grade 2 Listed and privately owned.The clock belongs to the owners. It is technically just part of the 'fixtures and fittings' of the Arcade in much the same way as a boiler, lift or air-con would be.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 17 May, 2012 9:00 pm

I noticed today (May 17 2012) that some of an overhanging structure high above the Grand Arcade looked to be in poor condition. It may just be flaking paintwork but it could be a sign of failing material that could be about to fall. This photo shows a close-up view (I shall post a wider field-of-view next to better show the actual location.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 17 May, 2012 9:03 pm

This is the wider field-of-view. The problem part can be made out higher up from the Grand Arcade sign.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Thu 17 May, 2012 9:42 pm

Leaky gutter or flashing. A simple job that will no doubt be left until significant damage has bee done.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 01 Nov, 2012 9:39 pm

Jogon wrote: That is the one, barely visible in this shot is the cockerel up above the main clock. When in the Grand Arcade today (Nov 1 2012) I noticed a 'bird' high up above the Potts clock. I may not have ever really noticed the bird before but I guessed (rightly!) that there would be a mention on SL. I took this zoomed in view of the cockerel. Jogon's post is on page 1 Posted on: 05-Jan-2012 16:35:50.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 01 Nov, 2012 9:45 pm

I thought I would post the view taken today (Nov 1 2012) of the famous, but now long stopped working, Potts clock and its figures in Grand Arcade. The 'cockerel' can be seen above the clock.