£10m grant for mill library conversion reinstated

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a Victorian mill in Leeds into a northern outpost of the British Library has been granted despite fears it had been withdrawn.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."

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