Miracle no-one killed in Leeds building collapse - traders

Hayley Coyle - BBC News
·2 min read
kirkgate
The building on Kirkgate in Leeds is now "an eyesore", says one local worker [BBC]

It was a "miracle" nobody was killed when a derelict building in Leeds city centre caved in, local traders said.

The front of a former shop on Kirkgate fell at about 16:00 BST on Friday, with a witness describing the area as "pandemonium" at the time of collapse.

A nearby barbers said it was still without an internet connection after the damage and was losing trade.

Leeds City Council said the building would be stabilised "within days", with no injuries reported.

Noah Ringrose, who works at the Fred Aldous art supplies store opposite the building, told the BBC: "I looked out the window and the building was crashing down.

"It's a miracle no-one was killed because it's a busy street and the sun was out."

Flo Bull, who also works at the shop, said it was "shocking" to witness.

Roads remain closed for safety reasons, said the council
Roads remain closed for safety reasons, says the city council [BBC]

"It was pandemonium on the whole street for the rest of the afternoon," she recalled.

Kirkgate remains closed to traffic between Wharf Street and New York Street after the damage.

Gareth Farrar, who works at the nearby Blue Collar Barbering, said the business had been hit financially by the collapse as its WiFi and phone line had not yet been restored.

leeds
The partial collapse happened on Kirkgate, which is Leeds' oldest street [BBC]

He said: "The building is now 100% an eyesore - this is a busy city centre with buildings falling down."

Leeds Civic Trust said it was "frustrated by the lack of progress" on a number of properties in the area, despite a regeneration project targeting the street.

Martin Hamilton, Leeds Civic Trust director, said: "I'm afraid this is what happens to buildings when they are neglected for years.

"Kirkgate is the earliest street in the city centre and has huge historical importance, which is why the restoration of these buildings is so key."

He added: "It is a huge shame that this has now happened - but we hope that this might concentrate minds for something to happen."

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: "The council has for some time been keen to see the affected building restored and brought back into use, with other properties on the street having already been given a new lease of life thanks to grant support provided through the Lower Kirkgate Townscape Heritage Initiative."

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