The Headrow, Leeds

The Headrow is only about a half mile long but it is noted on maps as early as 1560. It lay on the northern edge of medieval Leeds. It was simply the "head" of town. Today the Headrow lies like a spine in the city center. East to west the street is Eastgate, Headrow and Westgate. The far end of Westgate is Park Lane.

The Headrow is probably the most important civic and commercial boulevard in central Leeds. It is home to Leeds Town Hall, Leeds Central Library, Leeds Art Gallery, the Henry Moore Institute and the Light entertainment and retail complex. Between Park Row and Briggate are flagship stores of some large international chains.

The Light complex, on the north side of the street, has a cinema, restaurants and a Radisson Hotel. Retail outlets include Direct Line House, Saint John's Shopping Centre and the Headrow Centre on Dortmund Square. The Broad Gate Building is partially given over to retailers T.K. Maxx, Argos, and Home Sense.

At the west end of Headrow is Victoria Gardens, home to the Speakers' Corner and the Municipal War Memorial. The Gardens are surrounded by Leeds Town Hall, Leeds City Art Gallery, the Henry Moore Institute and The Leeds Central Library. The Oxford Place Methodist Mission is on the west side. The Light complex is on the east.

Dortmund Square was created in 1980. It lies between Headrow House and Lewis' Department Store. Leeds has been twinned with Dortmund, Germany for more than ten years. The bronze statue of the Dortmund Drayman by Arthur Shulze-Engels presides over the square.