History of kirkgate market

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• Kirkgate Market was opened on 1 July 1904 by GW Balfour, the then MP for Central Leeds. Outside is the lively open market where Michael Marks opened his Penny Bazaar in 1884, leading to the founding of Marks & Spencer in 1890.

• "This remarkable flamboyant building is one of the city's finest architectural gems and hopefully will be treasured for centuries to come."

• The area around Vicar Lane was crowded with slums and slaughterhouses, and Vicar Lane itself was little more than a narrow cart track. The Bazaar and Shambles, built in 1825, was outdated and insanitary.

• In 1893 the Central Market, next to the Corn Exchange, burned down. This provided the opportunity to link Vicar Lane with Duncan Street. Vicar Lane needed to be widened, and pavements built which meant that the Covered Market, already considered inadequate to modern needs, would have to be demolished.

• The council decided to build a new market, to rival those of other cities like Huddersfield and Bradford. They particularly favoured the design of Halifax Town Hall.

• An architectural competition was held to decide on a design. Only eight designs were entered for the competition, and the prize of £150 was won by John and Joseph Leeming of London. They were the architects of Halifax Town Hall so admired by the Council.

• The new building was completed in 1904, and the final cost was £116,750, rather more than the original estimate of £73,000 pounds

• In July 1904, there was a grand opening ceremony with G.W Balfour. A procession of over 30 coaches brought the civic dignitaries to the iron gate at the entrance to the market. The market stalls were stocked with produce and ready for business. The opening ceremony was followed by a grand banquet at the Art Gallery.

• Now Leeds Kirkgate Market is one of the largest in Europe. There are 600 stalls and 200,000 people visit the market each week. It is as popular with shoppers as it ever was.

in 2016 there was a huge refurbishment project, where the market opened a new events and food space with seating for up to 100 people, with street food traders. There is Indian dishes to the Yorkshire pudding wrap. The space also features events like live music and art exhibitions.