New 42-room hotel to open above popular Leeds city centre bar
Vacant areas of the Grade II-listed building will be brought back into use
A new hotel will be created above a Leeds city centre bar after plans were agreed with the council.
Hospitality chain Mitchells and Butlers Retail sought planning permission to convert offices above the Nation of Shopkeepers on Cookridge Street.
Leeds City Council approved the scheme, which will create 42 hotel rooms in the Grade II-listed building.
A design report said the hotel would be part of the Innkeeper’s Collection brand and bring vacant parts of the building back into use.
The downstairs of the 19th -century site would continue to operate as a bar, linked to the hotel.
The report said: “This proposal represents a sustainable and sensitive re-use of a landmark listed building, returning vacant upper floors to active use and adding to the vibrancy of Leeds city centre.”
A council planning officer’s report said the application was supported by Leeds Civic Trust.
It said: “This proposed development provides an excellent opportunity to recognise and address the shortage of high standard accessible hotel accommodation currently available in Leeds.”
The report said the office space had been standing empty for around four years.
It said: “The upper floors of the building have been empty and unused since they were vacated by the last office tenant in 2022.
“Despite extensive marketing, no office tenant has come forward.”
The report said the development would help meet demand for hotel accommodation and boost the economy.
The amount of office space available for businesses elsewhere in Leeds meant it was difficult to find another use for the site.
The report said: “There remains a significant amount of committed or newly completed office floorspace elsewhere within the city centre
“The development would also provide employment opportunities for local people in both the construction, fitting out and subsequent operation of the development.”