Kirkgate Market's New Street Food Village

Leeds’ Kirkgate Market, one of the most iconic market spaces in the UK, is set to undergo an exciting transformation with a newly designed street food village. While PARKdesigned's submission for the project showcased our vision of creating a vibrant social and cultural hub, we were not selected as the winning design. Nonetheless, this development promises to be a significant addition to the city, furthering the trend toward unique, adaptable social spaces that offer more than just food—they offer experiences.

PARKdesigned’s Vision: Container Spaces for a Modern Leeds

Our design for Kirkgate Market’s outdoor area focused on maximising flexibility and community engagement. Leveraging our expertise in container architecture, we envisioned a series of connected yet distinct areas that would host food, drink, and entertainment spaces. Each container was to serve a dual purpose, acting as a culinary hub during the day and seamlessly transforming into a nightlife venue in the evening. With a central plaza for events, music, and gatherings, we aimed to create a space that would attract locals and visitors alike, bridging the gap between Leeds’ longstanding heritage and its forward-thinking urban culture.

Our design approach at PARKdesigned consistently prioritises sustainable, adaptable spaces. By integrating container structures, our proposal could be constructed efficiently and operated with flexibility, allowing vendors and entertainment providers to tailor the space to their needs as the community’s interests evolve.

The Impact of a New Street Food Hub on Kirkgate Market and Leeds

The upcoming development at Kirkgate Market—though not our design—will undoubtedly enhance Leeds’ social and commercial landscape. Our own vision aimed to boost foot traffic and expand the market’s appeal, encouraging more visitors to discover not only the new food and drink offerings but also the traditional traders who have been integral to Kirkgate’s history. Our hope was to create an inviting space where everyone—from families and professionals to tourists and students—could find something unique, blending community warmth with the vitality of Leeds’ food culture.

PARKdesigned: Continuing to Shape Leeds' Future

Though we won’t be seeing our design come to life at Kirkgate Market, PARKdesigned remains at the forefront of architectural innovation in Leeds. As a local architectural firm with extensive experience in creating adaptable, high-quality spaces, we continue to work on commercial projects across the city that prioritise both functionality and design excellence. Our team is proud of our expertise in container architecture and flexible spaces, and we are excited to explore future projects that bring similar vibrancy and added value to the urban fabric of Leeds.