Leeds Abbey House Museum saved from closure
A Leeds museum which was threatened with closure under council budget proposals will now stay open after a "passionate" response from the public. Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall opened in 1927 and is known for its replica Victorian streets and vintage penny slot machines.Leeds City Council ran a consultation on the future of the museum as it tried to address "unprecedented financial pressures" - but said plans to close the attraction had now been withdrawn. Final budget plans for the coming year include £67m in extra funding but the council said the impact of rising costs, pressures and demand for services means it needs to save £103.8m overall.
The budget will be presented to the council's executive board next week and to the full council on 26 February.It includes an increase in council tax of 4.99% and a review of children's centres and transport services for children and families. The council said it would introduce a "pay as you feel" admission charge at Leeds City Museum, Leeds Art Gallery and Leeds Discovery Centre, and is considering charging for entrance to Kirkstall Abbey. It will also hand over the running of Middleton Leisure Centre to a third party.The extra £67m of funding means the proposed 10% funding cut for neighbourhood networks in Leeds will not be required, and there will be no reduction made to wellbeing and youth activity funding.The council said as well as keeping the museum open, possible changes to bowling green provision in the city are to be further consulted on, with the aim of looking at ways to raise income and reduce the number of proposed closures.
The council received nearly 10,000 responses to its consultation about the museum. Councillor Salma Arif said the feedback had been "incredibly passionate"."The overriding sentiment has been that people across Leeds clearly recognise the unique social value of our museums and galleries to their communities and local heritage."She added: "What we need now is for people channel the passion and enthusiasm they have demonstrated during the consultation into visiting and engaging with the site as much as possible over the coming months so we can all work to support its future."The museum will remain open as usual.The current exhibition is called Story Time and includes a huge variety of historic books and games, each exploring the magical world of children's stories.However, a council spokesperson said: "Savings still need to be made, and alternative options to secure to the savings required are currently being reviewed."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
Wales Online
12 hours ago
- Wales Online
Winner of the best bathroom in Wales 2025 revealed
Winner of the best bathroom in Wales 2025 revealed The builder said it was the most challenging bathroom he has ever tackled in his 40 years of working in the trade Timeless luxury in a period property in Penarth (Image: Talbot Green Construction ) Renovating a bathroom, especially inside a period property, can be a challenge especially if you're spending many thousands of pounds and need the result to be timeless and last in style for decades. It is one of the trickiest rooms in the house to update according to Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Cymru award winner Mike Robson from building company Talbot Green Construction and Landscaping, who can now add to their credentials the builders of 'the best bathroom in Wales 2025'. In a Victorian, three-storey home in Penarth there was a former care home that was waiting to be transformed back into a dream dwelling and Mike and his team were given the task of extending, renovating and completely updating, including the principal bedroom's amazing ensuite, which Mike admits was the most challenging bathroom he has ever tackled in his 40 years of working in the trade. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here. READ MORE: This is the best kitchen in Wales ALSO: The ordinary-looking home with an unexpected treat in the back garden One of the team, Gary Dodd, taking down the structural wall between the two bedrooms (Image: Talbot Green Construction ) Article continues below The whole space to transform was currently two bedrooms and needed to become a bigger bedroom and ensuite so there was initially a major structural element to the suite update before a marble tile or bath tap was ever delivered. Mike says: "It's probably the most work I've done on a bathroom because we had to take down a load bearing wall to knock the two rooms into one space and then create the ensuite in the former bedroom. All the floors needed to come up too - for extra joist support and for hiding pipework (Image: Talbot Green Construction ) "We had to install the supporting steel beam and then taking up the whole floor because the joists weren't adequate to take the weight of the bath, water and obviously person, and also underneath is a living room which was going to have a chandelier hanging down which weighed a tonne, so took it right back to basics and bricks." But if anyone is worried about the chandelier situation, maybe thinking there might be an 'Only Fools and Horses' moment and the chandelier ends up on the living room floor, Mike says all the structural specifications were done by an engineer and the team worked to them in conjunction with the architect's drawings. The stud walls between the two spaces plus the sauna, walk-in shower and toilet walls are added (Image: Talbot Green Construction ) Mike remembers: "All the joists were replaced and strengthened and levelled because as you can imagine it's an old building, nothing is straight or level so it can be a nightmare. But we have an extremely good bathroom and kitchen fitter called Darren Dauncey, although everyone knows him as Daz, and his attention to detail is second to none, he is extremely good, and he can see any problems before they actually arise because of his years of experience." The owners were, luckily, very understanding of the challenges of knocking around a property over a century old, saying: "True to form for a Victorian property the house kept throwing curve balls at us, but at every obstacle Mike and the team had a solution. "From first fix to the final finishes their attention to detail was second to none and we could not be happier with the end result." The space is actually the principal bedroom's ensuite (Image: Talbot Green Construction ) The floor, with its more robust joists, is where all the pipes and plumbing is hidden to ensure the bathroom has a seamless look but this came at the cost of extra work before the marble floor and luxury fittings were installed, and the bath especially was the biggest headache. Mike says: " Getting the first fix plumbing into place because it had to come from the other side of the room and all the pipes needed to be hidden, so there was chasing out the walls, as well as the joists, so it was the logistics of getting the pipework from a to b. The bath and tap were the most complex element of the bathroom for the team (Image: Talbot Green Construction ) "The bath is actually my favourite part of the bathroom, even though it was the most challenging. We needed to support the floor underneath it due to the weight of the marble floor tiles, the bath itself, the water when it's full and obviously, a person too. "Then we had to hide all the pipework for the bath, water waste and the stand-alone tap - all the work to get it all in place - to look at it, it's just a bath and a tap but from our point of view it was a challenge but very satisfying to complete." The room is full of timeless and tasteful marble - including the dado rails and skirtings (Image: Talbot Green Construction ) The bathroom at the far end includes a separate walk-in shower and a separate toilet and a sauna, all of which were positioned on a wall which made them easier to construct and install as it might first appear, but the house did help out with this element of the build. Mike says that as the house is an older Victorian house it has high ceilings, so the team easily had the extra space to create a suspended ceiling to assist with hiding more items required to produce the seamless and uncluttered design that so impressed the FMB judges. For more property stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here The walk-in shower includes separate lighting and integrated shelf (Image: Talbot Green Construction ) "The original ceilings were delaminated lath and plaster," Mike adds, "So an MF grid ceiling was installed, not only giving a new level and solid ceiling but all the extraction ducts and services could be run in the void created." The space for the sauna was prepared, including all the first fix elements, and then Cardiff based BOS leisure appeared on site to install it. Other impressive features to admire include marble skirtings and dado rails. The sauna is a luxurious addition to the space (Image: Talbot Green Construction ) As the most complex bathroom Mike, Daz and the team have worked on it would be understandable to hear of moments of stress, but having been in the trade for over 40 years he says he doesn't worry, he just finds a solution. Mike says: " I don't get stressed about things - if I wake up in the morning and I'm breathing that's good enough for me! No matter what problems come up I can sort them, they are miniscule compared to what can happen in life. The owners wanted a luxurious, five-star hotel feeling and, according to the FMB judges, they got it (Image: Talbot Green Construction ) One element of a build that Mike says is pivotal to success is communication with the client. He explains: " When starting to put things back together we always ask the client if they are sure they want things exactly to the drawings, such as the location of a plug socket or light switch before we do it and as they are the clients and they are going to live in the place. "So we are keen to confirm everything with them that they definitely want things as per the drawings or interior designer specifications." Mike, aged 61 and from Talbot Green, is humble about the title of 'best bathroom in Wales 2025', saying he only entered the competition as a chance to recognise the skill and dedication of his team. He is very proud of the win but hasn't really looked to see if the news has been shared online. Darren Dauncey and Mike Robson receiving the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Cymru award for 'Wales' Best Bathroom 2025' He says: "I'm a d inosaur really, I've never seen a social media page and when I have to turn the computer on I feel like smacking my head against a wall! But I'm really content, I'm always active, I can't just sit still, I've got an allotment and I'm always doing stuff." But clearly there's nothing prehistoric about Mike's build ability, with the award-winning bathroom testament to that. Mike says: "My aim is that whatever the client needs I will hold their hand and help them through the process but at the end of the day it's their home and I treat that with the greatest of respect. All my clients are a pleasure to work for, I'm very fortunate." Article continues below Find your a property for sale with a lush bathroom here:
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
The Bradford Club closes after more than 250 years
It was in the 1860s that the Bradford Club opened in a city that teemed with commerce and industry. This week this venerable institution, which counts Sir Titus Salt and Sir Ken Morrison among its past members, closed its doors for the final decision, taking after patronage declined since the demise of the Bradford wool trade, brought the curtain down on one of the last Victorian gentleman's clubs to still exist in a provincial the closure of the nearby Wool Exchange in the 1970s, the dining room would throng with mill owners and managers on weekdays, while magistrates and solicitors debated in corners. Business deals were sealed over a game of club itself was founded in 1761 before settling in its final premises on Piece Hall Yard. Fixtures and fittings have been stripped out ahead of a new chapter in the Grade II-listed building's history. The BBC bumped into trustee Steven Howard on Piece Hall Yard as final preparations for departure were being made."It's a great shame," he said."Sadly, after many, many years of being here, we're having to close because what we do here is no longer fashionable."Mr Howard added: "We were still getting by as of Covid, but people's habits changed and not temporarily."Many of our overheads were hugely affected by the war in Ukraine."For instance, our power costs went through the roof."Our model just became redundant really." The membership had become elderly and many were no longer living in Bradford. The number of professionals working in the city centre had declined since law and accountancy firms left for of the furniture has been donated to a Halifax-based charity that will send chairs and tables to schools in the building has been bought by the owners of the adjacent City Vaults pub and will become a hospitality venue. Si Cunningham is the chair of Bradford Civic Society as well as the City Centre Heritage Action said: "I think there's a couple of things that have made the site particularly special. "The first one and perhaps the most important one is the building itself. "It's a very architecturally striking building. "It's a bit of a hidden gem for the city as well, because it's located down quite a quiet street in the city centre and has really strong links to Lockwood and Mawson, who are very well-known Bradford architects. "So the building itself helps to tell the story of Bradford, particularly those links to the industry."And I think as far as the club is concerned, that's the part of the city's heritage that probably has quite a lot of fascinating stories and a lot of links to some of the big names from Bradford's wool industry who would have been members there over the years as well." Dr David Pendleton is the current editor of the Bradford Antiquarian, which is the journal of the Bradford Historical and Antiquarian often visited the Bradford Club with the society. "It'll be sorely missed, but in some respects, I'm astonished it's got this far," Dr Pendleton Leeds Club, which had a similar history, closed its doors in 2017. One of the few clubs still going in Yorkshire is the Harrogate Club, which has been in existence since Bradford once had the most private members' clubs outside of London, with five Pendleton said: "There were some very rich members whose names have disappeared from history. "But people like Sir Titus Salt, and the father of the composer Frederick Delius, who owned a big warehouse in Little Germany."Names that we still remember to this day were members of that club and undoubtedly it would have had a lot of famous visitors as well over the years." But as the years went on, the club had to look to other ways of generating income. It was used as a filming location for the 2013 BBC drama The Great Train Robbery, as well as The ABC Murders and recent production far as Dr Pendleton is concerned, he is glad it is being kept in local hands."It's pretty good news that the people from the City Vaults have bought the building because they've got a decent track record of reviving, and doing a good job actually, of some of the city centre buildings," he Mr Howard is still reticent about whether the club's history will be kept alive."I'm not sure how much of it can be preserved if we're not here," he said."We were more interested in the club continuing, but it's not been possible."Times have changed." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
UK's 'worst seaside resort' insists abandoned £18.5m investment isn't a 'blow'
A popular seaside resort that has grappled with its image in recent years is facing yet another blow, as it seemingly struggles to sell a huge £18.5 million shopping complex A popular seaside city savagely ranked as one of the UK's worst has clapped back at claims it has suffered a major blow over a £18.5 million complex. For many, Bangor - nestled on the coast of Wales and just a stone's throw from Snowdonia National Park - is a coastal gem wrapped up in nostalgia and natural beauty. Classed as the oldest city in the country, and commonly mistaken as a town, Bangor is filled with a rich history, unique architecture, and an impressive Victorian pier that stretches almost half a kilometre out to sea. Residents insist their hometown has 'lots to offer', but Bangor was sensationally snubbed earlier this year when it was ranked as the worst seaside resort in the whole of the UK. Earning a measly 42 per cent overall destination score, almost 5,000 Which? members gave the destination just one star for its seafront/ pier, food and drink offerings, shopping experience, and tourist attractions. Bangor redeemed itself slightly with its scenery and parking availability. "It's disappointing to see Bangor City named as one of the UK's worst seaside towns," said Bangor City Council at the time. "Such rankings often fail to capture the full picture and the unique charms that make Bangor City so special." However, Bangor's sliding reputation has recently been cast under the spotlight once more due to the sale of its premier shopping complex, the Menai Centre, which reports describe as another 'blow' to the city. Developed back in 2007 by Cathco Property Group - reportedly costing £18.5 million to build - the 130,000 square ft building struggled during the pandemic, which caused almost 80 per cent of its shops to close down. According to North Wales Live, it was bought by Bearmont Capital back in 2023, who added a bunch of retailers including he Original Factory Shop (TOFS), Greggs, and Hays Travel to the complex. Plans to open a major health centre in the complex in place of the former Debenhams store, using Welsh Government funds, have also been unveiled. The centre has now been placed up for auction with a guide price of just £4.2 million - a mere fraction of the price it cost to build. However, the sale does not include the Debenhams unit or a linked site, which was sold off a number of years ago. "If no stand out bids are received or bids received are of a similar value then a reserve price will be set on the property and it will be sold via a live online auction (date to be determined subject to Stage 1 of the process)," Savills, who is selling the property, said. Speaking to the Mirror, a spokesperson for the council stressed that Bangor doesn't have a beach and has never promoted itself as a 'seaside resort' - despite being located near the sea. "Similarly, Bangor does not promote itself as a tourist destination," they added. "We do, of course, have interesting attractions, such as St Deiniol's Cathedral, Garth Pier (which won the National Pier of the Year award in 2022), and the University building, to name a few, and Bangor is an ideal base to visit North Wales's attractions. However, to consider Bangor as a seaside resort would be flawed and inaccurate. In contrast to the Which survey, another survey found that the people of Bangor as the happiest people in the County." The spokesperson added that the council does not consider the sale of the Menai centre as a 'blow to the city' as most of the retail units within the complex are 'occupied on long leases' that won't be impacted by the change of ownership. "The sale, several months ago, of the other Bangor shopping centre, namely the Deiniol Centre, has not impacted negatively on the units within it nor on the City and there is no reason to think that this one will," they stated. "This year, Bangor is celebrating 1500 since St Deiniol established his religious settlement here and to mark this important milestone, the City has come together and is hosting an ambitious programme of events. It has something for everyone, from a military parade to music concerts, from Bangor's Across the World Exhibition to a History Festival, from the Summer Festival to the Christmas Festival and much more. The one exception being that Bangor does not have a beach."
