Council stands by decision to sell Leeds base to support small businesses

Leeds City Council has announced plans to sell off Aire Street Workshops, a former factory that currently houses around 30 small businesses. The decision to put the building up for sale is part of the council’s efforts to save money, despite protests from tenants who feel blindsided by the move.

One tenant, Joe Singleton, co-owner of Take It Easy Labs, expressed his frustration, calling the planned sale a “slap in the face” for the creative businesses that have thrived in the affordable space provided by Aire Street Workshops. Singleton highlighted the potential financial strain that moving to a new location would bring, with rent costs likely to double or even triple.

Established in 1981 with funding from the Department of the Environment and Leeds City Council, Aire Street Workshops has been a hub for independent businesses, offering low-cost office and manufacturing units. The workshops currently house 31 businesses and employ over 150 people, with a significant portion of the workforce being under the age of 25.

While the council has emphasized the need to review all areas of its work to achieve savings, tenants at Aire Street Workshops are left scrambling to find alternative premises before the January 2025 deadline. The impending sale has sparked concerns about the future of these small businesses and the impact on the local economy. As stakeholders navigate this uncertain period, the fate of Aire Street Workshops hangs in the balance.