In the aftermath of the collapse of a property on the oldest street in Leeds city centre, Leeds Civic Trust says the next few weeks could determine the long-term future of the whole of Kirkgate.
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00:00 In the aftermath of the collapse of a property on the oldest street in Leeds City Centre,
00:08 Director of Leeds Civic Trust Martin Hamilton says the next few weeks could determine the
00:12 long-term future of the whole of Kirkgate.
00:15 In spite of ongoing restorations, recent years have seen a fire in an adjacent property,
00:20 the collapse of a wing on the Grade II star-listed First White Cloth Hall, and a fire at Hills
00:26 Furniture Store which meant that the building had to be demolished.
00:29 With all of the properties in the same ownership when the damage occurred, Leeds Civic Trust
00:33 has also highlighted recent reports of increasing amounts of anti-social behaviour in the area,
00:39 with some properties suffering from break-ins.
00:41 £2.4 million of funding has been available from the Townscape Heritage Initiative over
00:47 the last ten years to restore the buildings in Lower Kirkgate, with the grant set to run
00:51 out by the end of this year.
00:53 [Train passing]
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