New plans have emerged to convert the former House of Fraser building into student accommodation have been submitted to the council.
The plans include a new retail store and huge student accommodation complex that would include space for almost 400 residents.
The new plans include the full conversion of 140-142 Briggate, formerly House of Fraser, into eleven storeys of new space right in the heart of the city centre.
The huge plot on Briggate is right in the city centre, with shops like Zara and Foot Locker on its doorstep.
The new space will be named Grand Central Place, as a homage to the Grand Central Hotel which occupied the site in the early 1800s.
The proposal for the site is to create two storeys of retail space, assumably on the lower levels where House of Fraser operated from, then above will be nine floors of student accommodation.
The living quarters includes 131 self-contained studios and a further 47 cluster flats, bringing the total number of flats to 178.
Image: WikiCommons
The flats will be aimed at students: an ideal location for those studying at either Leeds Beckett University and the University of Leeds, as both university campuses are less than a mile away. Overall, 369 beds will fill the building and a further communal areas and shared living spaces will be provided throughout.
Sustainability will be at the heart of the planning, and the plans hope to rival the popular accommodation available at present.
Plans need to be approved for construction to begin, but once confirmed the last of the House of Fraser signage would be removed and the building would take a step back in time to reignite the luxe Grand Central Hotel that once stood in its stop- just reimagined in the 21st century as a modern, sleek block of flats.
Feature Image- WikiCommons
Leeds
End of an era as historic Leeds pub announces shock closure with ‘heavy heart’
One of Leeds' longest-running pub will be closing.
The Cross Keys in Holbeck is a lovely little boozer.
And it's got a fair bit of history too. Dating back to the early 1800s, the pub has stood on Water Lane for more than two centuries, with its story closely tied to Holbeck's industrial past.
Back when the area was one of Leeds' major manufacturing hubs, the Cross Keys was a local drinking spot for workers from the surrounding foundries and engineering works.
The pub itself fell into disrepair and was abandoned in 1980s, before being brought back to life during a major restoration in the 2000s.
But now, The Cross Keys is closing once again.
Images: The Cross Keys
Announcing the sad news to Instagram, the pub said: "It's with a heavy heart that we share the Cross Key's will be closing its doors on the 3rd of October.
"The whole team thank you for your support during our time in business."
In classic Leeds fashion, the comments were flooded with support from fans of the pub alongside fellow local businesses.
One comment reads: "Absolutely gutted about this. I held my fiance (now husband’s) 30th at The Cross Keys and it was excellent and the team were so helpful and hospitable. So sad to hear this."
Whilst another said: "Gutted, the home of some great memories and significant pints in my life."
So, if you've had a significant pint in The Cross Keys and wish to bid it a proper farewell, you've got until Saturday 3 October to do so.
Brand-new ‘party pub’ to take over the old Revolution site on Call Lane after £600,000 investment
Clementine Hall
We hope you're ready to party Leeds, because a 'party pub' experience is coming to Call Lane.
Following a whopping £600,000 investment, Bonnie Rogues is preparing to open in the former Revolution site in Leeds city centre that will close this month.
After a major refurbishment, Leeds’ first Bonnie Rogues venue and the sixth site for the fast- growing UK brand will open in November 2026.
Designed as an all-day-to-night social destination, Bonnie Rogues combines live music, live sport, and late-night celebrations in one immersive venue.
From big nights out to spontaneous after-work drinks and even Sunday Roasts, Bonnie Rogues aims to offer something completely different from the traditional pub experience.
Expect live performances, crowd-involved entertainment and interactive moments in an atmosphere that flows seamlessly from day to night.
Russell Quelch, CEO of NEOS Hospitality, said, “Leeds has such a strong social scene and a real appetite for experience-led venues, so we think Bonnie Rogues will fit perfectly into the city.
"It’s a concept that brings together everything people love about going out - live music, sport, food, entertainment and great atmosphere, all in one place. We’re excited to bring something new to Leeds and can’t wait to welcome guests later this year.”
The Leeds opening forms part of a wider rollout of Bonnie Rogues venues across the UK, as NEOS Hospitality continues to expand its portfolio following its acquisition of multiple Revolution and Revolución de Cuba sites earlier this year.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more.
Sophie Smith -
9th February 2022 
