In 2024, Leeds Kirkgate Market flourished with over 5.9 million visits, a staggering 33% increase since 2021, thanks to a £10m refurbishment that revitalized its historic blockshops. With 20 new indoor businesses and a 34% rise in casual outdoor traders, the market is not just a shopping destination but a vibrant hub of culture and community events.
What is the current state of Leeds Kirkgate Market?
Leeds Kirkgate Market has had a record-breaking year in 2024, with over 5.9 million visits, signaling a 33% increase since 2021. It saw a 4% rise in footfall, 20 new indoor businesses, and a 34% boost in ‘casual’ outdoor traders. The market’s revitalization is partly due to a £10m refurbishment project, enhancing its historic blockshops area and improving overall infrastructure.
Market Milestones: A Year in Review
Leeds Kirkgate Market, a historic centerpiece of the city’s retail landscape, has witnessed remarkable growth in 2024, reaping the benefits of a substantial investment program. The past year has been marked by increased footfall and a significant surge in new businesses, contributing to an atmosphere of vibrancy and renewal. Notably, the market received over 5.9 million visits, an impressive four percent increase from the previous year. This rise in visitors is not just a fleeting statistic; it represents a substantial 33 percent increase since 2021, underscoring the market’s recovery from pandemic-related challenges.
The average customer’s dwell time within the market boundaries has also seen an uptick, growing by 4.6 percent in comparison to 2023. This is indicative of an enhanced shopping experience and diversified offerings that keep patrons engaged. Indeed, the market proved fertile ground for entrepreneurs in 2024, with twenty new indoor businesses setting up shop — a record number for a single year. Complementing this growth was the 34 percent increase in outdoor ‘casual’ traders, who bring a dynamic and ever-changing element to the marketplace.
Further contributing to the bustling environment were the more than 250 events hosted at the market throughout the year. These ranged from food festivals to free family-friendly activities, adding layers of cultural and social engagement to the shopping experience.
Structural Revitalization and the Blockshops Transformation
The resurgence of Leeds Kirkgate Market isn’t solely attributed to enhanced patronage and business growth. Central to this revitalization is Leeds City Council’s £10m refurbishment of the market’s 19th-century ‘blockshops’ area. The initial phase of the scheme revitalized 24 units with contemporary upgrades such as new canopy fronts, electric roller shutters, LED lighting, and additional storage space. This modernization respects the site’s historical significance while catering to modern trader needs.
As the second and final phase of the refurbishment nears completion, with 16 units due by March, the excitement builds. Five units have been pre-let and three are welcoming back existing traders who had relocated temporarily to facilitate renovations. Councillor Jonathan Pryor, the city’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport, and sustainable development, shared his pride in the project, stating, “It’s extremely pleasing to see footfall at the market continuing to grow and plenty of new businesses beating a path to its door.”
Councillor Pryor also highlights the blockshops transformation as a key element of the market’s current success story. “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,” he said. The council aims to sustain this positive momentum throughout 2025 as more units are completed and released for use.
Preserving History While Paving the Future
The blockshops, dating back to 1875, are the oldest standing structures at Leeds Kirkgate Market. Comprising eight two-storey buildings under an infill glazed roof, they form a significant part of the market’s heritage. The ongoing renovations do more than just update; they preserve and pay homage to the market’s history. Heritage features such as herringbone brickwork have been meticulously restored, ensuring the market’s storied past is not lost amid the march of progress.
In parallel with these renovations, structural improvements have been made across the market. These include roofing repairs, the installation of brighter walkways through new glazing, new guttering, and lowered floors to improve accessibility. With such comprehensive upgrades, the market not only looks to its past but confidently strides into the future as a premier commercial and cultural hub.
For traders interested in joining the vibrant community at Leeds Kirkgate Market, opportunities abound within the newly refurbished blockshops and the wider market. Click here for more information about trading opportunities. To stay informed about the various events and activities set to take place in 2025, interested parties can visit the What’s on at Kirkgate webpage or follow the Leeds Markets page on Facebook.
One should note that the footfall figures, calculated using digital counting devices at the entrances to the indoor section, do not include visits made solely to the market’s outdoor area. This distinction underscores the fact that the reported increase in footfall primarily reflects the growing appeal of the market’s indoor shopping environment.
- In 2024, Leeds Kirkgate Market experienced over 5.9 million visits, marking a 33% increase since 2021.
- The market benefited from a £10 million refurbishment that improved its historic blockshops and overall infrastructure.
- There was a record addition of 20 new indoor businesses in 2024, alongside a 34% rise in casual outdoor traders.
- The market hosted over 250 events throughout the year, enhancing its role as a cultural and community hub.
- Renovations preserved the historical features of the blockshops while incorporating modern upgrades to improve the shopping experience.