Kirkgate, Leeds

View down Kirkgate, towards the markets

Kirkgate (/ˈkɜːrɡət/[1]) is a street in the city centre of Leeds, in England.

History

The street originated in the Mediaeval period, leading from the centre of the settlement to the parish church. The Anglo-Saxon Leeds Cross was found when the church was replaced by the current Leeds Minster, in the 19th century. By the time of the Domesday Book, Leeds also had a manor house, which lay on the street. The street became associated with cloth manufacturing, and in 1711, the First White Cloth Hall was constructed on the street.[2][3] Other early buildings included a chantry, built in 1430, later replaced by a vicarage, the town's bakehouse, and a prison, built in 1655.[4]

The city's first hospital was established in a house on the street in 1767. In 1790, the Ancient Order of Foresters was founded at the Crown Inn on the street, although the building was demolished in 1935.[5] In the 19th century, the Kirkgate Market was constructed at the city centre end of the street, while a railway line was built, spanning the middle of the street.[2] In 1984, a police officer, John Speed, was shot and killed on the street, and there is a memorial in his memory.[6]

The Welcome to Leeds website notes that the street became run-down, but by the 2020s became "a more calm street which has recently been reinvigorated by exciting local businesses".[7]

Layout and architecture

View under the railway bridge, to Leeds Minster

The street runs south-east from the junction of Briggate and Commercial Street, to a junction with East Street and Duke Street. Fish Street, Vicar Lane, New York Street, Harper Street, Cross York Street, and Church Lane lead off its north-east side, while Central Road, New Market Street, Call Lane, Wharf Street, High Court, and Maude Street lead off its south-west side.

Notable buildings on the north-east side of Kirkgate include the grade I listed Kirkgate Market.[8] On the south-west side of the street lie the former bank at 110 Kirkgate, designed by William Bakewell;[9] the grade II* listed First White Cloth Hall;[10] and the grade I listed Leeds Minster.[11]

References

  1. ^ Wells, John C. (2008). Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (3rd ed.). Longman. ISBN 978-1-4058-8118-0.
  2. ^ a b "Nostalgia on Tuesday: Story of a street". Yorkshire Post. 4 April 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  3. ^ Chrystal, Paul (2016). Leeds in 50 Buildings. Amberley Publishing. ISBN 9781445654553.
  4. ^ The Annals of York, Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, Doncaster, Barnsley, Wakefield, Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Keighley, and Other Places in the County of York. J. Johnson. 1860.
  5. ^ Chrystal, Paull (2016). Central Leeds Through Time. Amberley Publishing. ISBN 1445656450.
  6. ^ "Sergeant John Speed". The Police Memorial Trust. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Kirkgate". Welcome to Leeds. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  8. ^ Historic England. "City Markets (1255765)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  9. ^ Historic England. "No. 110 Kirkgate (1375044)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  10. ^ Historic England. "First White Cloth Hall (1375042)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  11. ^ Historic England. "Parish Church of St Peter (1375046)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 March 2022.

Further reading