This site is all about Briggate – its history, special attractions and anything else of importance that you can expect to find there. Below is a summary of Briggate.

Briggate is a pedestrianised shopping street in the English city of Leeds in the north of the UK. It is located in the very centre of the city and has thus become one of the most important shopping areas in Leeds (if not the most important). It is home to a large number of the biggest names in retail and is frequented by residents and visitors on a daily basis for this purpose, as well as for its many cafes, pubs and restaurants.

The street’s name was first taken from the phrase “the road to the bridge,” a term that it has rightly earned due to its connection with the northern end of the Leeds Bridge that passes over the River Aire. Briggate is one of the oldest streets in Leeds, dating back to 1207 when it was constructed. It grew in importance and prospered throughout the next few decades as the centre for commercial activity, the thriving wool industry being just one of the highlights. Briggate was used by a variety of vehicles, including cars and trams, but this ended in 1996 when the street was completely pedestrianised. This reconstruction spread to other areas of the city, ensuring less congestion and a more pleasant environment.

As building techniques improved, the street became more attractive for residential land use, and houses began to crop up on byroads and other areas close to Briggate. However, this change, along with a rapid increase in the population, brought about an increase in crime rates, as there was greater opportunity for robberies and muggings in the dark alleys and roads that housed the residents. Overcrowding led to a decrease in hygiene and rich families began to migrate away from the area, taking away much of the investment it previously had. The textiles market was also relocated away from Briggate. Improvement acts since then have greatly ameliorated these conditions and brought back much business that now makes Briggate a superb location for retail, residence and more besides.

Today, Briggate not only provides a high-quality shopping experience for the average visitor, but also a cultural one. Briggate is renowned for its many arcades, which line the street for all to witness. The architectural and aesthetic beauty of these structures is evident, especially on the north end of the street where land understandably tends to be more expensive. More recent arcades can be found on the south end, and many visitors have found a delight in comparing the styles of each. One of the oldest and most interesting is Thornton Arcade, which was built in 1878 and has a clock face containing 4 life-size figures on it.

Another place worth looking out for is New Briggate, a non-pedestrianised section of the street found in the north. This area is home to the only Opera Company outside London – the Opera North. Performances by this company can be viewed in the Grand Theatre of New Briggate. Apart from this, there are several different cultural and social events throughout the year, and pubs, bars and inns are common on the street. Restaurants serve all types of cuisine and can be found through the local directory along with other outlets.

Retail stores in Briggate include Louis Vuitton, Marks & Spencer, Harvey Nichols, the Sofa Warehouse, McDonald’s, Nando’s, Burger King, the Body Shop and Sole, among many others.