Looking at Buildings

The GRAND ARCADEGlossary Term [2] in Vicar Lane, by Smith & Tweedale 1897, is in an ornate RenaissanceGlossary Term [3] style with plenty of balusters and finials, using Burmantofts faienceGlossary Term [4] and blue and yellow tiles at the entrances. It has two parallel arcades between Vicar Lane and New Briggate and a North cross-link opening onto Merrion Street where the plain brick facade has a roundGlossary Term [5] arc in the gabled facade and three paired shop fronts with odd inverted consoles as mullions to upper floor windows.

Inside, one sectionGlossary Term [6] was occupied by the Tower Cinema in the 1920s and is now a shop. The remaining arcadeGlossary Term [7] interior has had little attention in the later C20 and now lacks the charm of the restored Briggate arcades. The glazed roof is supported by timber arches and the rows of shops retain some original IonicGlossary Term [8] pilasters and pedimented doors. There is no galleryGlossary Term [9] above, only small bayGlossary Term [10] windows and some of those odd console-shapedGlossary Term [11] mullions. Like Thornton's arcadeGlossary Term [12] it has an animated clock by Potts of Leeds with armoured knights, castle doors and exotic costumed figures.