The Tetley building is once again set to be under a brewery as Kirkstall Brewery has announced it plans to take on the lease. Built in the Art Deco fashion in 1931, it’s the former brewing headquarters Tetley’s Brewery, which became the largest producer of cask ale in the world in the 80s before closing in 2011.
The spot was used as an contemporary art gallery from 2013 until 2023, and now Kirkstall Brewery plans to make it a hub for great beer from Leeds as it renews its status as ‘Landmark of Yorkshire beer culture.’ It’ll take on the site from May onwards.
Kirkstall Brewery will showcase local beers, including their own brand as well as Leeds brewery’s newest acquisition, North (formerly known as North Brewing Co).
Steve Holt, Kirkstall Brewery’s owner and founder said: “It’s a tremendous privilege to bring Leeds’s most iconic brewery building into the Kirkstall fold. As a brewery that pays a great deal of respect to the history of brewing in the city, we believe we are the ideal custodians for the next chapter of this legendary building.”
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Michael Cronin, Head of Portfolio at Vastint UK, the developer behind Aire Park and owners of The Tetley building, said: “Last year we outlined our ambitions to safeguard this iconic building for the next 100 years and have now submitted our plans to the council. Since we became custodians of the building, it was always our intention to keep it open until the restoration work got underway to bring this fantastic building up to 21st century standards.
“So, we’re thrilled to be welcoming Kirkstall Brewery to Aire Park and to be bringing one of the current generations of Leeds and Yorkshire breweries to a site which has played such a pivotal role in the history of beer making in the region.
“The Tetley will form the centre piece of Aire Park, alongside the eight-acre public park and this collaboration will hopefully give the people of Leeds a small taster of what’s to come in the very near future.”
Holt added: “It really is the crown jewel of brewing history in Leeds, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to make it a landmark of Yorkshire beer culture once again.”
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Feature Image Credit: Kirkstall Brewery
