British Library North: Temple Works restoration grant confirmed
Funding to convert a Victorian mill in Leeds into a northern outpost of the British Library has been granted despite fears it had been withdrawn.The government has awarded £10m to the project to restore the Grade I-listed Temple Works in the Holbeck area of the city.Last year the Treasury said it was "minded to withdraw" from the scheme in a bid to make savings, but the money has now been confirmed.Leeds Civic Trust director Martin Hamilton said the backing was "fantastic" but that millions more would be needed to bring the former flax mill back into use.
Temple Works has been empty for 20 years and was once the subject of plans by Burberry to open a factory at the site. It has Egyptian-style architecture.
The £10m grant had been originally earmarked from the Department of Levelling Up's £100m culture regeneration budget, with British Library North one of 16 selected projects.Mr Hamilton said regenerating the "hugely important" building would "reach out" to communities nearby."If you look at the area of Holbeck, which has been the subject of lots of regeneration in recent years, It does suffer from a disconnect with areas like Beeston."You have the railway lines that sever more prosperous part of the city from the less prosperous parts."Institutions like this can really connect and provide employment opportunities."
It has been estimated that the scheme would cost £70m in total, and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority has contributed £5m.Temple Works also received a £1m boost for repairs in 2022 from Historic England.Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, also welcomed the funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government."We have worked hard in recent months with partners, including the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Homes England and the British Library itself, to make the case for this funding."We will now continue to work alongside partners on detailed plans for the full funding, design and development of a project that remains a complex and challenging undertaking, but one that offers a major regeneration opportunity for both Temple Works and the surrounding area."Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Chocolate lovers rush to Aldi as supermarket launches £3.99 dupe of viral ‘Dubai chocolate'
Shoppers are scrambling to grab Aldi's luxury-lookalike chocolate before it vanishes CHOCCY TIME Chocolate lovers rush to Aldi as supermarket launches £3.99 dupe of viral 'Dubai chocolate' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHOCOLATE fans are dashing to Aldi as the budget supermarket unveils a £3.99 version of the viral 'Dubai-style' chocolate bar. Now available in Aldi stores across the UK, the 100g bar promises a rich and indulgent experience—without the luxury price tag. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The chocolate is part of Aldi's Specialbuys range, meaning once it's sold out, it may not return Credit: Aldi The treat features creamy pistachio layers and crunchy kadayif pastry, all wrapped in silky milk chocolate. Inspired by a viral hit that exploded on social media, the chocolate has already caused a stir online. AldiUK teased the launch on Facebook, writing: 'THIS IS NOT A DRILL. The Dubai Style Chocolate Bar lands in store tomorrow! Will you be picking one up.' Fans flooded the comments with excitement. One wrote: 'More temptation.' Another added: 'You knocked it out of the park with this. Absolutely amazing.' A third asked: 'Hey dear Aldi, are these a special or permanent fixture? Xx' The chocolate is part of Aldi's Specialbuys range, meaning once it's sold out, it may not return. With no buying limit, shoppers are expected to stock up quickly. This isn't the first time retailers have tried to cash in on the Dubai chocolate craze. Lidl's JD Gross version flew off shelves, and Waitrose offers a similar pistachio white chocolate bar for £2.75. Morrisons stocks its own version—Bolci Dubai Chocolate—for £5. The trend shows no signs of slowing down, as chocolate lovers continue to seek out these premium-style treats at lower prices. If you're keen to try one, it's worth getting to your local Aldi early to avoid disappointment. As word spreads, demand is expected to spike. To get the best deal, savvy shoppers are encouraged to compare prices using online tools like PriceSpy, Google Shopping, or Idealo. These platforms let you check price histories and spot deals across retailers. SAVE MONEY AT ALDI Grabbing hot Specialbuys like this chocolate bar is just one way to save at Aldi. The discount chain frequently tops Which? rankings for the cheapest supermarket, offering consistent value for everyday essentials. In April, a typical basket of 79 items cost an average of £135.95 at Aldi—cheaper than rivals including Lidl and Tesco. Bargain hunters should also keep an eye out for Aldi's red sticker items, usually marked down in the morning. These offer major discounts on products close to their sell-by date or with minor packaging damage. Aldi's budget-friendly alcohol selection is another way to save, with own-brand options often coming in much cheaper than big-name labels. Don't forget about Too Good To Go 'Surprise Bags', available in selected stores. These offer a low-cost mix of near-date groceries that would otherwise go to waste. How to save money on chocolate We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don't have to break the bank buying your favourite bar. Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs... Go own brand - if you're not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you'll save by going for the supermarket's own brand bars. Shop around - if you've spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it's cheaper elsewhere. Websites like let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you're getting the best deal. Look out for yellow stickers - supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they've been reduced. They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged. Buy bigger bars - most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar. So if you've got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
UK's 2nd longest pier to finally reopen in £600bn cash injection boosting Victorian seaside town's economy
The project could boost the town's tourism industry with new jobs and business opportunties PIER IN UK's 2nd longest pier to finally reopen in £600bn cash injection boosting Victorian seaside town's economy Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN HISTORIC pier at a popular seaside town is set to reopen following a £600 billion cash injection. After closing in 2022, Southport Pier could be revived after the government promised to prioritise local developments projects in its Spending Review. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Southport Pier is set to reopen following a recent government announcement Credit: Getty 4 4 The pier has been closed since 2022 after adverse weather caused damage Credit: Getty 4 It's part of a £600 billion country-wide development project Credit: Getty Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the review on June 11, which included a £600 billion cash injection to support the country's infrastructure. This cash injection aims to expedite a range of locally-significant development projects, including Southport Pier. It clarifies how day-to-day expenditure will be used in the country, as well as capital spending on transport, schools, community assets and hospitals. In a speech at the Houses of Parliament, Chancellor Reeves said: "I know the pride that people feel in their communities. I see it everywhere I go, but I also know that for too many people, there is a sense that something has been lost." She cited the death of the high street as one of the problems facing British towns, alongside a decline in community spaces, jobs and opportunities. The Spending Review aims to solve some of these problems as Reeves added: "Job creation and community assets are vital to our growth mission, but too often, regeneration projects are held back, gathering dust in bureaucratic limbo. We are changing that." During the speech, she named Southport Pier as just one of the projects that could benefit. The government hopes that reopening the pier, which has been shut since 2022, could create jobs and new business opportunities in the local area. Sefton Council closed the historic pier - which is the second longest in the country - after a period of extreme weather that left structural engineers concerned. Trendy English seaside town has rooftop bar that 'feels like the Med' Southport locals were excited at the prospect of a revival of such a culturally significant site for the town. Local MP Patrick Hurley said: "We've got a commitment from the Chancellor at the dispatch box to support the project. What that support means, in concrete and practical terms, is that there's going to be funding made available to make sure that the pier can be reopened." Hurley announced that by the end of summer they would have a better understanding of the exact funding, as well as the concrete proposals and timescales that would enable the pier to reopen. Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, expressed his support for the project. During a meeting at Lancaster House, Mr Rotheram said that Prime Minister Keir Starmer had given his word that Southport would be included in the development plans. Mayor Rotheram said: "This hasn't happened by chance. It's the result of tireless work by people who've never stopped fighting for the town's future." He credited Councillor Marion Atkinson and MP Hurley as being integral to the project's success, as well as the enthusiasm of Southport locals. In addition to being Britain's second longest pier, Southport Pier also has an important history. First opened in 1860, it has hosted famous performers like Charlie Chaplin. A restoration project between 2000 and 2002 helped to revive the pier and boost the local tourism industry before it closed in 2022.
The Courier
10 hours ago
- The Courier
Stirling gin and whisky distillery approved as multimillion-pound project to create 15 jobs
Plans for a new craft gin and whisky distillery near Bannockburn have been given the go-ahead. Stirling Council has granted permission for a whisky distillery, cask storage and a gin production building to be built in the walled garden of Auchenbowie House. The multi-million pound investment is expected to create 15 jobs. Construction will begin next year, and spirits will start being produced in 2027. An organic garden, planted within the walled area, will supply botanicals for spirit production. The plans also include drainage engineering works, the creation of two ponds, and upgrades to vehicular access. As the distillery will not be open to the public, there will be no visitor attraction elements. Organic Architects are behind the project on behalf of Auchinbowie Limited, headed up by Chen Li, who is also the director of Auchenbowie Estates. Bari Reid, director at Organic Architects, said: 'Receiving approval for this project is an important milestone, and we're excited to begin the work of bringing the Auchenbowie walled garden back into use. 'For decades, this area has stood empty and overgrown – but it has immense potential. 'Our design celebrates the character of the site and the rich history of the estate, while also delivering something new and relevant for today. 'The distillery buildings will sit within the garden walls like elegant Victorian greenhouses. 'At the heart of the design is a glass house overlooking a water garden, which doubles as a cooling system for the distillation process. 'It's a project where sustainability, heritage and craftsmanship come together – and we can't wait to see it take shape.' Auchenbowie House dates back to the 15th century and is linked to a descendant of Robert the Bruce. It was once home to a 17th-century laird who fled the country after a fatal duel. Scottish poet Robert Burns visited the property in 1787. Winston Churchill is also thought to have written part of The Great War while staying there.
