Leeds shopping centre extension nears completion

The final beam of a 65,000 sq ft (6,039 sq m) leisure extension at the White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds has been put in place during a topping out ceremony.

The extension has six restaurants, including Wagamama, TGI Friday’s, Chiquito and Pizza Hut, alongside an 11-screen, IMAX Cineworld cinema, an event space, and a children’s play area. The final beam was laid at the top of what will be the IMAX screen.

The shopping complex has been owned by Land Securities for nearly two decades and the extension, which has been constructed by Morgan Sindall, is hoped to further strengthen the centre’s appeal to customers.

In 2014, The Balcony introduced five food and beverage brands, adding 20,000 sq ft to the complex.

Rob Jewell, Land Securities portfolio director, said: “The topping out ceremony marks the team’s achievement since breaking ground in April and is an important step towards practical completion in just over three-months’ time.”

Councillor Kim Groves, Labour councillor and chair of the employment and skills board for inner south Leeds at Leeds City Council, said: “White Rose Shopping Centre acts as a landmark in the community having provided jobs to Leeds for nearly two decades, as well as offering an estimated 350 full-time and part-time job prospects once the extension we are celebrating has been completed.”