Building work on a landmark West Leeds building is set to restart.
Work to restore the former Mike’s Carpets building, off Branch Road and Stanningley Road, Armley, was delayed in early April after the initial builders left the project, with no major work completed. Scaffolding already erected for the job was taken down.
The Dispatch understands that following lengthy negotiations between the owners of the Grade II Listed building, the architect and new contractor work will now restart on the council-managed scheme on September 21. Work had originally been scheduled to restart in July.
The proposed start date was also confirmed by Armley councillor Alison Lowe on Twitter this weekend:
Wyn at Armley Library telling people about progress with Mike’s Carpets. Scaffolding goes up 21st Sept! pic.twitter.com/oDsCO2mrik
— Alison Lowe (@alison4labour) September 12, 2015
The building work is the centrepiece of the wider Armley Townscape Heritage Initiative to improve the area and is funded by £500,000 of Heritage Lottery money and £150,000 from the building’s owner, businessman Mike Smith.
All lottery money for the Armley Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme must be spent by next March, or be returned to the Heritage Lottery Fund.