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Temple Works set to become new Northern British Library home

A multi-million pound investment is on the cards for the iconic former Flax mill in Holbeck

Georgina Pellant - 16th July 2021

Leeds Temple Works is set to become the new home of the British Library in the North of England.

The grade I-listed former Flax mill in Holbeck has had a tortuous history of late, but now that looks to be coming to an end as decision-makers look set to back multi-million pound plans to transform the building into the new Northern home of the British Library.

The building has been out of use for decades and so would require a significant investment to bring it back to life, but it seems that might finally be on the cards amid talk of a new £75m investment.

Previous attempts to restore Temple Works have failed numerous times, most recently in 2017 when Burberry pulled out of plans to turn it into a £50m manufacturing facility for the high fashion brand.

A report is set to go ahead of council bosses next week, at which point a decision will be made on the proposed plans.

It states: “The British Library see this as a major opportunity to deliver increased public engagement across all services in the North."

“British Library’s proposition is still being developed, but it is envisaged that it will comprise a mixture of public space, research space, temporary exhibitions, permanent displays which explore both the Library’s collection and the history of the building, space for families and communities to spend time together, cultural events, space for business and entrepreneurs, and ancillary leisure.

“This would provide an offer for people of all ages and backgrounds.”

£25m of devolution money has already been secured by the council to support the project. According to reporting by Leeds LIve, the money is held b the West Yorkshire authority. It's expected the council will draw around £5m to cover the costs of a full restoration by development partner CEG.

If plans go ahead, the new library site will become the northern arm to the British Library's main site in Boston Spa - which was first opened in 1961 and is home to more than three-quarters of its 170 million-strong collection.

“These plans for Temple Works reflect both a sense of pride in Leeds’s past and a real determination to forge a future that benefits people in all our local communities," said Leeds City Council leader Coun James Lewis.

"Temple Works is a jewel in Leeds’s heritage crown and the prospect of seeing it start a new chapter as the home of the British Library in the North is hugely exciting.

“The centre envisioned by the Library, CEG and ourselves would be a major cultural asset and would help drive regeneration, not just in the Temple area but across the whole of the South Bank and beyond.

"It would also strengthen Leeds’s presence on the national and international stage, which has already been boosted in recent times by projects such as the UK Infrastructure Bank, the arrival of Channel 4 and the new Leeds-based hub being planned by the Bank of England.”

Feature image - Tim Green.