Majestic landmark in heart of city set for mid-2013 reopening

A major bar and restaurant chain is expected to occupy a large part of the Majestic building in Leeds City Square, which dates from 1922. The former nightclub has been empty since 2006, and its revival will complement the £350m Trinity Leeds retail scheme, which is due to open in March 2013. Leeds developer Rushbond, which bought the Majestic in 2010, plans to turn it into a major leisure destination, with bars and a restaurant above. Richard Baker, a developer surveyor at Rushbond, said yesterday: “In the coming weeks, we hope to be able to announce the identity of an exciting national bar and restaurant operator, who will occupy the ground floor and upper levels, including the new external roof terrace area overlooking City Square. “It’s anticipated this use will be complemented by another bar in the basement, which will create a significant leisure destination in a flagship building in the heart of the city centre, which forms an integral part of City Square. “Subject to tenant fit out, we are targeting mid 2013 to re-open the Majestic, if not sooner.” Commenting on the general property market, Mr Baker said: “It’s a difficult market place, but that is not an issue restricted to Leeds. However, there is occupier demand for good quality, well located property, and this is the catalyst for the current developer activity witnessed in the city.” The Majestic was one of the so-called ‘super-cinemas’ wh-ich were built to seat thousands of film fans eager for escapism after the horrors of the First World War. The cinema opened in June, 1922. In its heyday, it could accommodate 1,600 people in the stalls with a further 1,200 in the balcony. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of visitors were impressed by its lavish decor and towering dome. The Majestic Symphony Orchestra performed there. It was also the scene of political rallies. Many Leeds residents have fond memories of childhood visits to the Majestic cinema. In the mid 1960s, screenings of The Sound of Music at the Majestic attracted a total audience of around 500,000 people. Sadly, the rise of television led to a decline in cinema audiences. Large venues like the Majestic went out of fashion. The Majestic was turned into a bingo hall after the screening of its last film, Clint Eastwood’s The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, in 1969. It was converted into a nightclub in the mid 1990s, and the building has been empty since 2006. In recent years, the city’s political and business leaders had voiced concerns about the decline of such a prominent building. Ilkley-based building firm Quarmby was hired to redevelop the Grade II listed building. Last month, two Greek statues, known as Music and Poetry, were installed as the final piece in the restoration programme. Rushbond’s managing director Jonathan Maud said: “The Majestic occupies a fantastic location and tens of thousands of people pass the building every day so it offers a level of footfall that is almost unrivalled anywhere in the North of England. “The building has been one of the city centre’s leading entertainment venues for almost 100 years and the completion of this work will hopefully safeguard its future and enable it to enjoy another successful chapter in its lifespan. “Throughout the restoration programme, we have focused on maintaining the character of the building while enhancing its attraction to modern leisure operators. “It is attracting some very interesting enquiries from both national and regional companies.” The statues replaced original stone works of art that were removed several years ago. The pieces, along with four large urns, were made at Pinewood Studios by a company that has also worked on a 50ft statue for a new James Bond film. Earlier this year, a blue plaque was placed on the Majestic to mark its historic importance. Dr Kevin Grady, the director of Leeds Civic Trust, said: “It is a place where Leeds people have spent many happy hours. “The plaque celebrates both the history of the cinema and the brilliant job Rushbond have done in restoring it to its former glory.”