Plans are underway to create a new British Library site in Leeds at the historic Temple Works building. Led by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and partners, the project aims to restore the site into an 8,000 m² hub for learning, research, business, and community events.
Plans are in development to bring a new British Library site to Leeds. The preferred location is the historic Temple Works building in the South Bank area of the city.
If viable, the project would restore and refurbish Temple Works to create a new 8,000 square metre space for the British Library. The new site would provide a new space in Leeds for learning, community, research, business incubation, events and exhibitions.
The public sector partnership - comprising the British Library, Homes England, Leeds City Council, and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority - plans to bring the iconic Grade I-listed building under public control by the end of this year. Once the acquisition is complete, immediate stabilisation and weatherproofing works will begin to prevent further deterioration. This crucial step secures the preferred site for the British Library North and removes a long-standing barrier to the wider regeneration of the Leeds South Bank.
Funding for this project consists of two grants: £25 million Heritage devolution grant and £10 million Levelling Up Cultural Fund grant.
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