£150000 fund will repair historic Leeds Town Hall’s roof leaks

The leaking roof of Leeds Town Hall will be repaired thanks to a cash injection from Leeds City Council of nearly £150,000.

A report to the local authority’s director of city development spells out that in recent months there has been “water ingress into the main Victoria Hall which has affected the ornate ceiling”.

The investment, which has been approved by council chiefs, comes after a survey by Norfolk Property Services (NPS) in 2013 detailed the condition of the 156-year-old Headrow building’s roof. Sections of the ceiling are reportedly open to the elements due to slipped or broken slates.

It is feared that if the roof repairs are not progressed with soon, it could impact on events held in the landmark building’s main Victoria Hall which is scheduled to host the likes of comedian Omid Djalili and band The Levellers next year.

The report states: “In order to prevent damage to the structure and ceiling of the Victoria Hall and to ensure that the Victoria Hall remains fully operational it is essential that these roof repair works are progressed. Failure to undertake the works may result in disruption to council services and loss of income.”

The £148,000 investment will come from a £1.26million fund set aside for the maintenance of the council’s heritage assets.

Leeds Town Hall is one of the city’s most prized landmarks. In 2011 it was voted Leeds’s favourite building by YEP readers at the Leeds Architecture Awards.

Earlier this year council bosses admitted that the Grade I-listed structure needs investment. It was the focal point of the Tour de France’s visit to Leeds this year.

Completed in 1858, it was once a municipal hub, hosting rooms for the Lord Mayor, courts, cells, the city’s police station, register services and more. It currently serves primarily as a concert and conference venue, hosting over 200 events a year.