Royal Armouries in £11m deal for waterfront site

The Royal Armouries museum in Leeds has bought the land it stands on for £11.69m and has unveiled plans to develop the city centre waterfront site.

The purchase of the freehold, funded by a government loan via the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, includes ownership of surrounding buildings at Leeds Dock.

Bosses of the museum, which will mark its 30th anniversary next year, said the move would allow it to develop the dock area to include multi-use riverside arts, events and conference spaces.

Director General Nat Edwards said the land deal "puts the organisation in a better position to drive future development for the benefit of Leeds".

Making the announcement at the UK Real Estate, Investment & Infrastructure Forum, being held at the Armouries, Ms Edwards said it would generate almost £30m for the local economy.

"This £11.69m government loan for the Royal Armouries to purchase the land outright is an investment in the future," she explained.

"It gives the Royal Armouries full control over the museum site for the first time and puts the organisation in a better position to drive future development for the benefit of Leeds.

"With ownership of the land secured with a government-backed loan, the next step is to secure investment to substantially increase the capacity to grow conference, event and hotel capacity at Leeds Dock."

Museums Minister Sir Chris Bryant added: "I'm delighted the Royal Armouries are moving ahead with this ambitious and exciting scheme.

"It will make much more long-term economic sense and enable one of our great museums, which families love, to visit to flourish long into the future."

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