Kirkgate is a street in the city centre of Leeds, in England.
The street originated in the Mediaeval period, leading from the centre of the settlement to the parish church. The Anglo-Saxon Leeds Cross was found when the church was replaced by the current Leeds Minster, in the 19th century. By the time of the Domesday Book, Leeds also had a manor house, which lay on the street. The street became associated with cloth manufacturing, and in 1711, the First White Cloth Hall was constructed on the street.[1] [2] Other early buildings included a chantry, built in 1430, later replaced by a vicarage, the town's bakehouse, and a prison, built in 1655.[3]
The city's first hospital was established in a house on the street in 1767. In 1790, the Ancient Order of Foresters was founded at the Crown Inn on the street, although the building was demolished in 1935.[4] In the 19th century, the Kirkgate Market was constructed at the city centre end of the street, while a railway line was built, spanning the middle of the street. In 1984, a police officer, John Speed, was shot and killed on the street, and there is a memorial in his memory.[5]
The Welcome to Leeds website notes that the street became run-down, but by the 2020s became "a more calm street which has recently been reinvigorated by exciting local businesses".[6]
The street runs south-east from the junction of Briggate and Commercial Street, to a junction with East Street and Duke Street. Fish Street, Vicar Lane, New York Street, Harper Street, Cross York Street, and Church Lane lead off its north-east side, while Central Road, New Market Street, Call Lane, Wharf Street, High Court, and Maude Street lead off its south-west side.
Notable buildings on the north-east side of Kirkgate include the grade I listed Kirkgate Market. On the south-west side of the street lie the former bank at 110 Kirkgate, designed by William Bakewell; the grade II* listed First White Cloth Hall; and the grade I listed Leeds Minster.