Crossgates Library Put Up for Auction

The saga of the old Crossgates Library building on Farm Road has had a significant update. On 25th March, the site was put up for auction a third time, now at 29% lower than the original asking price, with the winning bid coming in at £339,000. Crossgates Library was the cornerstone of East Leeds history for 80 years, and the unconditional sale marks the end of a volatile period for the site.

A Volatile Market Path

The path to this week’s sale has been far from straightforward. The building was first sold by Leeds City Council in February 2024 for a high of £482,000. However, those plans eventually fell through, and the property returned to the market. By April 2025, it was listed for £434,500, but a subsequent auction attempt in May 2025 saw the lot withdrawn entirely despite a reduced guide price of £295,000. The final £339,000 price realised this March reflects the significant “scheme of renovation” now required, with the building currently burdened by an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of G and a basement that was reported as flooded at the time of sale.

Community Efforts and the “Last Chance”

The local community has put a lot of effort into saving the building intending to put it back into public use. In early 2024, the Crossgates Community Coalition launched an ambitious crowdfunding campaign with a target of £350,000. The vision was to transform the Art Deco landmark into a community owned asset. While the campaign was met with immense local goodwill, it ultimately fell short of the necessary funds within the short auction timescale. It was a genuine and heartfelt effort to keep a landmark in public hands.

A Beacon of Knowledge: 1939–2022

The Percival Leigh Library was officially opened on December 14, 1939, by the Earl of Harewood. Named after a former Lord Mayor and pioneering dentist, it was a symbol of resilience, opening its doors just months after the outbreak of the Second World War. At its peak, it housed over 23,000 books and was considered the premier example of library architecture in West Yorkshire between 1939 and 1951. Its modernist design, featuring a glazed facade and a spacious reading room illuminated by iconic circular skylights, made it a “showpiece” of 1930s architecture. Over the decades, it hosted “Readings for Victory” and welcomed literary greats like J.R.R. Tolkien and Alan Bennett.

The Balancing Act: Council and Building Decay

While the sale is bittersweet for many, Leeds City Council has defended the decision as a necessary response to a £162.8 million budget deficit. The council noted that refurbishing the aging structure was financially unviable and emphasised that library services have “evolved” rather than ended, following the relocation to a unit in the Crossgates Shopping Centre in 2022. From the council’s perspective, the move has actually boosted signups, though the new site lacks the dedicated children’s area of the original.

 The delay in finding a permanent owner has taken a toll on the building itself. After being boarded up, the library suffered from vandalism, with the celebrated circular skylights smashed and the interior exposed to the elements. There are also reports of fire damage inside the building, affecting shelving and the detailed wood tiled floor. Local heritage groups, including the East Leeds History & Archaeology Society, have lamented the building’s transition from a “wonderful hub” to an “eyesore” during its period of vacancy.

A Legacy in Brick and Glass

As the keys pass to a new private owner, the community is left with memories of a building that was much more than just a place to borrow books. For generations of East Leeds residents, it was a childhood sanctuary and a landmark of significant cultural and architectural value. Whether through the “Readings for Victory” during the war or the pioneering digital literacy programs of the modern era, the old library on Farm Road served as a beacon of knowledge and a pillar of suburban life. While its future use remains uncertain, its status as a non-designated heritage asset provides a final layer of protection for a building that has meant so much to so many.