Where are these ventilated steps in Leeds?

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Wed 03 Oct, 2012 9:37 pm

As far as I'm aware these steps have not previously featured in a 'What & Where?'. I took this photo today (Oct 3 2012) showing these interesting looking (well they are to me! ) steps that have what seems to be ventilation grilles (unless they are just an unusual decorative feature). The steps are in the central area of Leeds.

chemimike · Post by **chemimike** » Wed 03 Oct, 2012 11:08 pm

It is unlikely to be the case here, as it is a flight of steps, but I have seen (not in Leeds) similar grills in double steps to the front door of s house/ houses where the area has in the past been very subject to flooding, and the grills seem to be to help draining of the underfloor area after floods

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Wed 03 Oct, 2012 11:29 pm

chemimike wrote: It is unlikely to be the case here, as it is a flight of steps, but I have seen (not in Leeds) similar grills in double steps to the front door of s house/ houses where the area has in the past been very subject to flooding, and the grills seem to be to help draining of the underfloor area after floods Thanks for that interesting comment chemimike.

biofichompinc · Post by **biofichompinc** » Thu 04 Oct, 2012 12:11 am

These steps are up to the side door at the northern end of the Civic Theatre/Mechanics Institute/City Museum. On Vernon Street which leads up to the main entrance of Leeds College of Art.You specified city centre Leodian but they are not instantly recognisable so they had to be somewhat 'off the beaten track'. Just got lucky.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 04 Oct, 2012 12:16 am

Well done salt 'n pepper. This is a slightly wider field-of-view of the steps.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Thu 04 Oct, 2012 3:40 pm

Like the Yorkshire Penny Bank on Infirmary Street (which has a brick rear), it was a let down to first see this brick aspect of the Civic Theatre.I love the squat sturdiness of this building, yet the heavy stone detail was confined to the S and W facades only as the N & E were not exposed when built.

Johnny39 · Post by **Johnny39** » Thu 04 Oct, 2012 4:06 pm

Is there a real purpose to the "meeseholes" or are they purely decorative?

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Thu 04 Oct, 2012 4:27 pm

Johnny39 wrote: Is there a real purpose to the "meeseholes" or are they purely decorative? Mickey lives at No3.....(ooops Johnny,sorry,couldn't resist !)Pertinent question nevertheless.....

Johnny39 · Post by **Johnny39** » Thu 04 Oct, 2012 4:41 pm

somme1916 wrote: Johnny39 wrote: Is there a real purpose to the "meeseholes" or are they purely decorative? Mickey lives at No3.....(ooops Johnny,sorry,couldn't resist !)Pertinent question nevertheless..... There's always one Somme!!! Squeek, squeek.