Originally known as New Dock, and more recently as Clarence Dock, it has in recent years become the centre of a major urban renewal project, with apartment blocks, shops and leisure facilities. The Royal Armouries museum is off the left of the shot.
The dock was constructed for boats using the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the Aire and Calder Navigation to tranship goods and commodities from Leeds city centre in 1843. It was primarily used to bring coal from collieries around Rothwell and Wakefield to supply heavy industries in Hunslet and business and commerce in Leeds city centre. The western side of the dock (the area in this shot) once had a large crane on tracks along the side of the dock to load and unload goods from canal barges. In the 1990s the surrounding area was made up of Victorian industrial buildings, many of which were derelict. The mills and many heavy engineering works began to close, move further out of town or scale down. The docks had survived Victorian canal decline after the introduction of rail freight but the move to road freight in the 20th century killed trade.
Construction of the purpose-built Royal Armouries Museum marked the start of the area's redevelopment when it opened in March 1996. No further development was made until 2004 when a multi-storey car park opened followed by an Express hotel in August 2006. The retail and leisure sector was launched on 11 October 2008 with fashion shows from celebrity fashion consultant and TV presenter Gok Wan. However few retail chains were attracted to the area and the site failed to take off as a major shopping centre. The residential development was far more successful.
The site, which had been known as Clarence Dock, was bought by Allied London, and rebranded as Leeds Dock in 2013.
IMHO reflections elevate any photo. VML Seeing everyday scenes being brought to our attention. Particularly like the barges and how their colours draw me into the scene.
Thank you all for your comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
Leeds has changed a great deal in recent years, with new shopping centres, riverside apartments and many social facilities too. It has been interesting seeing some of the changes, such as those here at Leeds Dock, take place.
Thank you all for your comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
Leeds has changed a great deal in recent years, with new shopping centres, riverside apartments and many social facilities too. It has been interesting seeing some of the changes, such as those here at Leeds Dock, take place.
Ian
Thank you Kim, glad you like it!
Ian