Leeds Kirkgate Market (pronounced /ˈkɜrɡət/) is a market in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England located on Vicar Lane. It is the largest covered market in Europe.[1][2] There are currently 800 stalls which attract over 100,000 visitors a week.
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It first opened in 1822 as an open air market, and between 1850 and 1875 the first covered sections of the market had been constructed after the market moved from Briggate.[3] The Central Market hall, built alongside Duncan Street, was surrounded on three sides by shops that were mainly rented to butchers and fishmongers. Inside the hall, stalls were erected for the sale of fruit, vegetables, and dairy produce, with the balcony being used for selling fancy goods.[4] The South Market, bordering Hunslet Lane and Meadow Lane, was used by butchers, various goods shops, open stalls, nine slaughterhouses and eighteen homes.[4]
In the late 19th century, Kirkgate Market was the founding location of Marks & Spencer which opened in Leeds Market as a penny bazaar.[5] New buildings were constructed in 1900 which included the Vicar Lane entrances. In 1975 a fire had damaged much of the building except the Vicar Lane frontage and the Market was refurbished in the early 1990s. Following this refurbishment Kirkgate Market was upgraded from a Grade II to a Grade I listed building.[6]
Leeds City Markets are now home to some of Leeds famous small shopping stalls including Eskimo Joe's, Neil's Greengrocers, various Haberdasheries and countless other shops.