Traders fear plans will lead to demolition
WORRIED SHOP traders in Leeds have had their future thrown into doubt after draft proposals to revamp their site appear to suggest stores would be demolished.
Businesses and charities which have units at the back of the Holt Park Shopping Centre are desperate for answers after learning of discussions between the centre’s landowners – Asda and Leeds City Council. An email, seen by
talks of a “proposed land transaction” between the two being “provisionally agreed”, to allow for Asda to improve its store, which occupies the majority of the centre. Among the proposals detailed is for Asda to transfer ownership of land at the store’s rear – which it says has a “number of vacant retail units” which would be “demolished and ... cleared” – to the council.
But some of these units are currently occupied – albeit on leases with three-six month getout clauses – by businesses and charities who are now fearing for their future.
Madge Davey, 74, who has run Kidz in Kampz charity at the site for the past 17 years, said: “We’re under threat and we won’t have anywhere else to go.”
Both Asda and the council have stressed discussions are at an early stage and no decisions have been made. An Asda spokesman said it was “reviewing options” at the site, while a council spokeswoman added: “A number of options are being considered but the council has not made any decisions at the current time.”