Leeds City Market, one of the largest and oldest indoor markets in Europe, continues to be a vibrant hub of commerce and culture in the heart of Leeds.
Leeds Kirkgate Market is celebrating an exceptional 2024, marked by increased footfall, new business openings, and the success of a vibrant events calendar. As it continues to benefit from a transformative multi-million pound investment programme, the historic market is setting its sights on an even more prosperous 2025.
Last year proved to be a standout period for the much-loved retail destination, with key achievements including:
Record Visitor Numbers: The market welcomed over 5.9 million visitors in 2024, a 4% increase compared to 2023. Footfall has risen by an impressive 33% since 2021, showcasing the market’s strong recovery from the pandemic’s challenges.
Increased Customer Engagement: Customers spent 4.6% more time on average in the market compared to the previous year, highlighting its growing appeal.
Business Growth: A record-breaking 20 new indoor businesses opened their doors in 2024, the highest number in a single year.
Outdoor Trading Boom: There was a 34% increase in outdoor ‘casual’ traders, who are allocated daily spaces, further enriching the market’s diverse offerings.
Packed Events Calendar: Over 250 events, including food festivals and free family-friendly activities, brought life and excitement to the market throughout the year.
The market’s capacity for adaptation and innovation has solidified its role as a crucial center for shopping, culture, and community engagement. With the continued impact of the investment programme, Leeds Market is well-positioned to build on its successes and deliver an even more remarkable year ahead in 2025.
The remarkable performance of Leeds Market coincides with ongoing enhancements under Leeds City Council’s £10 million refurbishment project focusing on the market’s 19th-century ‘blockshops’ area. The initial phase of this extensive upgrade successfully renovated 24 units, integrating modern features like new canopy fronts, electric roller shutters, improved extraction ducting, LED lighting, and additional storage.
The project is advancing into its second and final phase, with completion of an additional 16 units anticipated by March. Of these, five units have already been pre-let, and three are set to be reoccupied by existing traders who had moved to other parts of the market temporarily to allow the renovations to proceed. This refurbishment is crucial in modernizing the space while retaining its historic charm, enhancing the market’s infrastructure and appeal to shoppers and traders alike.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development said:
“We’re hugely proud of both Leeds Kirkgate Market’s past and the investment we’ve made to ensure it has an equally bright future. It’s extremely pleasing, therefore, to see footfall at the market continuing to grow and plenty of new businesses beating a path to its door. The transformation of the blockshops area is an important part of the current success story, with a really encouraging level of interest and take-up in the units that have been renovated to date.
“We are now aiming to maintain that momentum as further units are completed and made available for use over the course of 2025. The improvements at the market – coupled with its popular programme of events for all the family – mean that, more than ever, this is an asset the whole city can enjoy and take pride in.”
Dating back to 1875, the blockshops are the oldest standing structures at Leeds Kirkgate Market, consisting of eight two-story buildings unified under an infill glazed roof. The revitalization of these trading units is part of a broader refurbishment effort that includes structural improvements such as roofing repairs, the installation of new glazing to brighten walkways, new guttering, and the lowering of floors to improve accessibility.
The renovation team has meticulously worked to honor and preserve the historical integrity of the site. This includes the restoration of heritage features like the herringbone brickwork, ensuring they are returned to their original splendor. For more information about trading opportunities within the blockshops and the market at large, please visit www.markets.leeds.gov.uk
To keep up with all the events scheduled at the market in 2025, please visit What’s on or follow the Leeds Markets page on Facebook. During the half-term holidays, the market’s established events space hosted free activities for children, including den-building sessions and bumper car fun. These activities helped make February and October the busiest months of 2024.
Looking to the future, Leeds Market remains dedicated to innovation and community engagement. Market is committed to evolving with the needs of its patrons and vendors, striving to offer a dynamic and inclusive space that honors its rich history while embracing the promising future of Leeds.
Whether for shopping, dining, or enjoying community events, Leeds City Market stands as a pillar of the local economy and a lively landmark in Leeds’ urban landscape www.markets.leeds.gov.uk
