Burger chain confirmed to replace Five Guys in historic Leeds city centre building

A burger chain is set to open in a historic Leeds city centre building following the closure of another food business.

Urban Burger is planning to take over a Grade II-listed site on Duncan Street previously occupied by Five Guys.

Leeds City Council was asked for listed building consent to install new signs and a digital menu screen.

Alterations would also include an illuminate entrance surround on the shop front near Leeds Corn Exchange.

A design report said: “Five Guys are no longer trading from this unit. The unit is going to be taken over by Urban Burger.

“The proposed signage will replace the former trading company with the new logos and signage.”

Alterations drawn up by District Four Design Ltd would fit in with surrounding historic buildings, the report said.

The project would prevent the vacant building, part of the City Centre Conservation Area, from falling into disrepair.

The report said: “The works proposed are intended to be undertaken as sympathetically as possible replacing old signage for new, or by enhancing the traditional aesthetic.

“Contractors will be made aware of the listed status throughout works, and will be instructed as to the importance of retaining all historical fabric as existing.”

The report said proposals from the applicant, Burger Restaurants Ltd, would bring the building back into use as a business.

It said: “The proposals do provide an opportunity to ensure this building does not fall into further risk of neglect, decay or other threats.

“We believe the proposals will safeguard the future of the building by making it a commercially viable property within the high street location of Leeds.”

Listed building consent was granted in a council decision issued on September 24.

A planning report said no objections were raised by the council’s conservation officer.

It said: “These works are minor in nature and would preserve the character and appearance of the host listed building.”