Richer future for former chest clinic

AN historic former Leeds medical building, founded to treat patients suffering respiratory illness as a result of poor working conditions at the height of the industrial revolution, is getting a new lease of life after being sold to a private investor.

The former Leeds Chest Clinic on New Briggate is to become the city’s new  base for electrical goods retailer and hi-fi and audio visual specialist Richer Sounds after being sold for £555,000 by property consultants King Sturge, acting for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Grade II, 9,350 sq ft building, which was built in 1865 close to what was then the city’s main public transport station so that people with breathing difficulties did not have far to walk, stopped being used as a chest clinic two years ago.

Richer Sounds, which was founded in 1979 and has 50 outlets throughout the UK including stores in York and Sheffield, will move into the building this spring.

Partner in King Sturge’s industrial agency and development team Richard Harris said: “We started marketing this property in January 2009 and were pleased to secure eight strong bids while the UK was still in the depths of recession which shows the market is still keen for distinctive buildings with history and character.

“This is an attractive, ornate property on a main route out of Leeds which represents a good investment for the private buyer. Leeds City Council will doubtless be pleased to see it brought back into use by Richer Sounds, a retailer which is expanding.”

Richer Sounds property director Matt Oxer said: “This property is in a better, more visible, location than our current outlet which will allow us to trade from one larger floor and which will have better demonstration and storage facilities.”

Director of estates and facilities at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Darryn Kerr said: “The sale of the former Leeds Chest Clinic is extremely good news for Leeds people as the proceeds will go back into the trust budget to help ensure our hospitals can deliver the high-quality care NHS patients expect.

“The services provided there were replaced some time ago by a much more modern and patient-friendly chest clinic based at Leeds General Infirmary. The old building does, however, have a special place in the history of this city and we look forward to seeing this local landmark give many more years of service in its new guise.”