1 AND 2, BLAYDS YARD (See details for further address information)

This early 18th-century building, now shops and store rooms, is located on Briggate in Leeds. It has been altered in the 19th and 20th centuries. The building is constructed of rendered brick with a grey slate roof, and features quoins. It is three stories high, with seven first-floor windows, the central three slightly projecting. The first-floor windows are narrow sashes with flush wood frames, projecting moulded stone sills, and keystones; the two windows on the right have been altered. The top-storey windows are shorter, with three glazing-bar sashes to the centre, surmounted by a modillion eaves cornice, which has been altered to a blocking course on either side. The ground floor has three 19th and 20th-century shop fronts, with a passage leading to the rear, Blayd's Yard, to the left of centre; a keyed round arch has moulded imposts.

At the rear, the outer two two-window bays project as short wings, linked to buildings in Blayd's Yard. The left wing incorporates numbers 1 and 2 Blayd's Yard, while the right is a single-window rendered bay. Segmental-headed windows with four-pane sashes are present, along with a canted bay on the ground floor. Remains of the original wooden coved and beaded cornice moulding to the eaves are also visible.

The interior of number 3 was not inspected, but number 4 has mid-19th-century turned balusters to the staircase and a corner fireplace inserted on the second floor. Number 5 retains exposed ceiling beams with quarter-round mouldings on the first floor.

Historically, the building was occupied by an apothecary in 1740. Number 4 remained a chemist and druggist until around 1845. The outer bays were separately let from about 1800. Number 3 was occupied by a hatter and furrier, a draper, a stationer, and a motorcycle dealer at various times. Number 5 was used by a grocer and tea dealer, and in 1839, T Howan lived in the rear wing, number 2 Blayd's Yard. Between 1849 and 1914, number 4 was used by a hatter, draper, watchmaker, and pawnbroker. The addition of render and alterations to the front eaves confirm that the original large house, which likely provided living, working, and storage space for the apothecary in the 18th century, was divided in the early 19th century into shops and storage with limited living space. Although not directly linked to the textile trade, it is probable that the owner, as a chemist, was involved in the processing side of textiles, possibly dyeing. Number 5 was damaged by fire in the mid-20th century, but the surviving ceiling beams indicate the survival of 18th-century fabric.