| Description | E.B Balmforth Ltd, Meanwood Road, Leeds. A tan yard is marked in this location of the on OS large scale map of 1847; there is directory evidence for a tanners (Walker and Co) on the site in the 1880s.
Constructed during the 1830s/40s on a site on the south bank of Sheepscar Beck already occupied by a small cottage. Works originally consisted of the cottage and a building fronting Meanwood Road (Building A). All other buildings which survive on the site were erected later (third quarter 19th century?) and are probably associated with the use of the premises for leather dressing rather than tanning.
Site occupies less than 0.1 hectare on level ground. Cottage is two storeys, converted to offices. Building A three storeys, eight bays, and the windows on the upper floor are fully louvred. Structural evidence suggests that the ground floor of this building, and the adjacent yard, were used for wet work, with finishing on the first floor and drying on the second floor.
Believed to be still in use for leather dressing (2006). Best preserved small scale leather works in Leeds. |