00:00It's out with the old and in with the new Brigitte.
00:04The Grade 1 listed St John's Church dates back to the 1630s,
00:08but New Brigitte itself was created in the mid-19th century
00:11as a linking point between Brigitte and North Street in Leeds city centre.
00:16The street's historic value was underlined in 2017,
00:20when it became part of the newly designated Grand Quarter Conservation Area.
00:24The High Street's Heritage Action Zones initiative
00:27was a £95m government-funded programme led by Historic England,
00:32designed to secure lasting improvements
00:34and help breathe new life into historic high streets such as New Brigitte.
00:38Now its regeneration has been completed,
00:41with improvements aiming to ensure the street offers the best possible setting
00:44for its many independent businesses.
00:47One key aspect of the scheme involved the fitting of timber sash windows
00:50and the reinstatement of traditional frontages
00:53on a row of shops and commercial units opposite Leeds Grand Theatre.
00:58Carefully chosen materials ensured the revamps fitted neatly
01:01with the look of neighbouring landmarks such as the Grand Arcade and St John's Church.
01:06The approach to a set of steps leading up to the churchyard has also had a facelift
01:10and the Grand Arcade paving has been restored.
01:13Running parallel to the physical work,
01:15a programme of community engagement activities such as pop-up exhibitions and walking tours
01:19has provided people of all ages with insight
01:22into how the culture and character of New Brigitte has developed over the years.
01:26The works have complemented a recent wider transformation of New Brigitte
01:30and the surrounding area,
01:31with the pedestrianisation of the lower end of the street
01:34creating a traffic-free space with trees, benches and street cafe seating.
01:39Wider pavements and new cycling facilities have also been introduced.
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