Leeds City Varieties makeover well underway

23rd March 2010

Work is now well underway on a project to restore the world-famous Leeds City Varieties back to its former glory. The first phase of the £9.2m renovation and restoration of the building on Swan Street which is one of the oldest surviving Victorian-era music halls in the UK began at the start of the year. Contractors BAM Construction are now hard at work carrying out the major project which will see the building returned as much as possible to how it looked in the late 19th century.

The project, overseen by Leeds City Council with significant support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House Ltd, will see the restoration of the auditorium, improved stage and backstage facilities, additional toilets, improved access including more ground floor foyer space, a relocated box office and installation of a public lift to serve all levels of the auditorium.

Leader of Leeds City Council and executive board member for Development and Regeneration Councillor Andrew Carter said, “As a council we were committed to securing Heritage Lottery Funding to help with the complete renovation of the City Varieties and it’s great to see that the project is now well underway. The Leeds City Varieties is known all over the world and is one the best-loved buildings in the city, so we cannot wait to see this renovation and restoration completed and the doors open to the public once again.”

Chair of the Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House Board Councillor John Procter said, “It is hugely encouraging to see the progress that has been made in just a few weeks and it is going to be really exciting watching this project as it develops. We are determined to make this amazing building look better than ever and we are confident that once completed it will be a wonderful place to visit and take in a show just as it has been for nearly 150 years.”

Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for Yorkshire and the Humber Fiona Spiers said, “The City Varieties, one of the country’s best-loved music halls, is held in great affection by the people of Leeds. The Heritage Lottery Fund is pleased to be supporting this redevelopment project; now that work is underway we look forward to seeing the building restored back to its original Victorian splendour.”

Following the completion of the project, the refurbished Leeds City Varieties is scheduled to reopen in summer 2011.

Source: Leeds City Council