Vision, Values and Ethos

The former St Margaret of Antioch church building is on Cardigan Rd in Leeds 6, an area a couple of miles from the city centre, close to the universities and to Headingley’s famous cricket and rugby grounds. The building hasn’t been in weekly use for several years, although it has still been used for advent and Christmas services and other occasional services throughout the year.

It’s not the most attractive building from the outside, so people don’t pay it much attention. But ask anyone who’s been inside the building and they’ll tell you what an amazing and inspiring place it is. It’s a big open space with a real wow factor.

We want to bring this great building back into regular use and our vision is starting to become a reality. The building needs significant repair work to be done (begun in July 2008) and modern facilities to be installed. Once this essential work is done, it can be fully reopened and used as a great hub of activity for local residents and for the arts community.

We want it to be a centre for arts and culture, for new thought and new ideas, friendly and full of life – which is why we’ve called it LEFT BANK LEEDS, after the artistic district of Paris known as the Rive Gauche, (that’s Left Bank in French!).

Our intention is for Left Bank to be:

• a performance and exhibition venue, with top class facilities, which will serve the local artistic community and attract people nationally and internationally to exhibit and perform
• a hub for local arts activities for professionals and the community
• a unique events venue – for worship, conferences, concerts, weddings and parties
• a meeting place with a chilled out café and bar
• a space for contemplation and inspiration in a busy city

Left Bank Ethics...

Left Bank Leeds is committed to sustainability - installing energy-efficient heating and lighting, using electricity and materials from renewable sources, providing environmentally-friendly, organic and fairly traded products both behind the scenes and for customers.

Left Bank Leeds is committed to making the building accessible and affordable for local people and local businesses

Left Bank Leeds is committed to providing an open-minded environment which encourages a broad range of artistic expression.

Left Bank Leeds will not tolerate discrimination against any visitor or member of staff on any grounds whatsoever.

Left Bank Leeds requests all visitors to behave responsibly and with due consideration for other uses of the venue.