Member Article

Leeds Law Society move premises as major restaurant chain comes to city

After almost 100 years at 1 Albion Place in Leeds, the Law Society has agreed a long-term lease with the Bill’s restaurant chain that will see the Grade-II listed building transformed into a venue in the city’s retail and leisure district.

The Leeds Law Society has agreed a 20-year lease in more modern and suitable premises at 62 Wellington Street, putting them at the centre of the professional services district.

The new premises will enable the Leeds Law Society to host meetings and events for members and free up funding for a wider range of external seminars, networking events and other member benefits.

Bill’s restaurants, which are renowned for securing unique and interesting premises, offer contemporary European cuisine and serve food throughout the day.

The owners are committed to preserving the existing character of 1 Albion Place. A planning application for the conversion of the 5,600 square feet building has been submitted.

Leeds Law Society President Philip Jordan, a partner at Ward Hadaway, says: “The legal profession has changed dramatically and the result is that 1 Albion Place is no longer suitable for meeting the evolving needs of our members. We are unable to use the majority of the space and the building has become a major burden on the finances of the society.

“We are working through a three-year strategy to transform the society and make it a dynamic and relevant organisation that delivers exactly what the members need. This deal is all about making sure we can deliver more to our members and guarantee that we can maintain our position as one of the most influential societies in the country.

“This secures the future of the society and does so much more for our members. As well as preserving this much-loved asset, it will support the city’s strategy for creating a vibrant leisure and retail destination that connects Trinity Leeds and the new Victoria Gate development.”

A spokesperson for Bill’s says: “1 Albion Place is an iconic building and has a rich heritage as the beating heart of the legal profession in the region. It’s that heritage and character that attracted us to it and we will be preserving the building and celebrating its history as we give it a new lease of life as a major new leisure destination in the heart of Leeds.”

The Leeds Law Society was advised by law firm Irwin Mitchell and commercial property agency WSB on the deal.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .