Merrion Centre

The construction of the Merrion Centre began in 1962. It was the vision of the founding Chairman of Town Centre Securities PLC, the late Arnold Ziff OBE, JP. The initial phase was officially opened in May 1964. It originally comprised 97 shops, the multi-storey car-park, the hotel, various offices and a Mecca-Dance Ballroom. The early Merrion Centre also included a Bowling-Alley (originally 42 lanes), Cinema and a Garage and Filling Station. The Architects for the project were Leeds firm Gillinson, Barnett & Partners and the Merrion Centre was originally perceived as a City within a City. The vision was to provide safe secure shopping without any traffic. The malls were largely open to the elements until glazed roofs were added later. At least one tenant has been the occupier of the Merrion Centre since it opened- Stylo Barratt. In 1971 construction began on the fifth and final phase of the Merrion Centre. This is the area occupied by Morrisons, Merrion House, Boots, and the Georgian Arcade. Throughout the late 60’s and early 70’s, the Merrion Centre was seen as a soaring symbol of the resurgence of Leeds City. “The North’s Greatest Shopping and Entertainment Precinct”. For a while it was the largest shopping centre of its kind in Europe!In the current environment, with emphasis on mixed-use regeneration, the Merrion Centre with its wide ranging offer and inspiration from American Shopping malls, was clearly ahead of its time. Since then, the Centre has been largely covered over and new glazed roof and entrances were installed in 1997.