Hi all,

Couldn't find a thread for this and surprised no one here has posted any images.

It seems that a number of the railway arches at the bottom of kirkgate are being converted into retail units. The To Let sign refers to these as Small Business Units. not a massive development but certainly another step towards connecting the town centre with The Gateway, Clarence Dock and other developments out that way.

anyway, noticed them yesterday and went back today to get some pics... :)

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Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/3chordboy/5489741297/) by 3chordboy (http://www.flickr.com/people/3chordboy/), on Flickr

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Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/3chordboy/5489741815/) by 3chordboy (http://www.flickr.com/people/3chordboy/), on Flickr

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Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/3chordboy/5489742185/) by 3chordboy (http://www.flickr.com/people/3chordboy/), on Flickr

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I don't know how well they will work as retail units, but I could certainly see them as bars/cafes adding to the mix in the Calls/Riverside district.

Network Rail have a few more of these dotted about the city. They're quite adaptable - some off Neville Street have been converted to offices, there are bars in the ones off New Briggate and the ones off Marsh Lane are storage units, so plenty of options for these.

Network Rail have a few more of these dotted about the city. They're quite adaptable - some off Neville Street have been converted to offices, there are bars in the ones off New Briggate and the ones off Marsh Lane are storage units, so plenty of options for these.

I think it's a great idea, like you say they can be used for all-sorts. :cheers:

I wish the archways in Bradford on the way up to town from Foster Squ. were used in the same way. Fantastic opportunity for small independant shops, cafes etc. With the great footfall, they're probably the safest place to open up a bussiness in Bradford.

http://v2.cache6.c.bigcache.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/large/37921200.jpg

the arches on the calls are used by a wine merchant Lattitude and for small offices (including a letting agent I think), so plenty of options there. I agree that its too far out for retail to work, though it may be possible in the future if Kirkgate is restored and encouraged as in independent shopping area, such as Ropewalks in Liverpool or the Northern Quarter in Manchester (albeit on a slightly smaller scale).

I think the green area at the front needs to be improved to increase the accessibility and visibility of these units.

Works brilliant in London down near waterloo station... some quality restaurants and bars down there...

I think the green area at the front needs to be improved to increase the accessibility and visibility of these units.

definitely, the units do feel a bit "contained" at the moment... even just removing the fence and some of the untamed shrubbery would do the world of good.

Look good although the units do seem a bit small. I presumme they could connect 2 of them internally?

Would be good for some independant stores, cafes and restaurants with outside seating and a nice setting with the church and the green area. Although this would need to be opened up as said above to make real use of the green space.

Are they adding a building on cobbled street in the first picture?

Are they adding a building on cobbled street in the first picture?

workmen were still on site so i couldn't pop my head over the fence to check and i couldn't tell from that side... suspect it may be a substation or perhaps bin storage unit.

would it not weaken the viaduct by cutting through the arches? or could you get away with having a narrow passage between units?

would it not weaken the viaduct by cutting through the arches? or could you get away with having a narrow passage between units?

Think it must be OK - there are a lot of interconnecting units in those arches, like the former Cuban Heels restaurant near the Calls. There are more railway arch units in the viaducts goinh through Holbeck, and they have all sorts of things in them, from panel beaters and car repair garages to the pretty cool Holbeck Underground Ballroom (http://web.me.com/slung.low/Slung_Low/The_HUB_statement_of_intent.html, http://web.me.com/slung.low/Slung_Low/The_HUB_first_6_months.html), rehearsal/workshop/theatre space run by Slung Low Theatre group.

I believe The Cockpit is set across 3 arches..? Although it only looks like one from the outside. And isn't The Hop down at GW set across 2?

So yeah, i think they would be able to get away with a narrow passage-way between units.

I like this idea it definitely works in Manchester. Theres even clubs in some arches in Deansgate locks.
http://www.manchesterbars.com/photos/arq.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/62/194794439_bed6364e03.jpg?v=0
http://www.prideofmanchester.com/pubs/photos/locks-300.jpg

Theres clubs in the arches in Leeds, mission for example.

Does anybody know if there willa ctually be retail units in these then ? I wouldnt imagine they would see too many customers given the location. I know its close to the bus station etc but most shoppers will just head straight towards the victoria quater.

Theres clubs in the arches in Leeds, mission for example.

Does anybody know if there willa ctually be retail units in these then ? I wouldnt imagine they would see too many customers given the location. I know its close to the bus station etc but most shoppers will just head straight towards the victoria quater.

yeah, the thing that caught my eye about the To Let sign was that it referred to these as small business units and did not mention the word retail.

if/ when kirkgate gets revived it would be fantastic to see loads of independent retailers/ eateries etc taking up these units and the currently empty buildings up on kirkgate too... could be a great little break from the mainstream and chains of our key shopping areas

How do they look in size compared to the arches in Granary Wharf? They look significantly smaller to me from the pictures which makes them a little bit more tricky to do much with...esp room for storage etc. Although I might just be deceived by the pictures!!

How do they look in size compared to the arches in Granary Wharf? They look significantly smaller to me from the pictures which makes them a little bit more tricky to do much with...esp room for storage etc. Although I might just be deceived by the pictures!!

height didn't seem like much of an issue. you can see from a few of the photos that they've managed to fit a first floor into each arch. they don't appear to be very deep though... maybe around 20ft or so (not an accurate figure, just based on how wide two sets of railway tracks and the necessary spacings either side would be)