Thorntons Arcade

Thornton’s Arcade is a shopping arcade built between 1877 and 1878 by George Smith for Charles Thornton. The stonework was carved by JW Appleyard of Leeds, and the arcade was restored in 1990-92. It is an example of the Gothic Revival style, constructed from brick in English bond (one brick wide, five bricks high), with stone dressings, a decorative slate roof, and a cast-iron glazed roof over the arcade itself. The arcade is narrow, providing access from Briggate and Lands Lane.

The Briggate facade features a high, pointed-arch entrance, with tall, three-light, pointed-arch windows above, supported by pilaster shafts. The words 'THORNTON’S ARCADE' appear in raised letters. A pavilion sits above the entrance, featuring a carved cornice and a chateau-style roof. Modern shop fronts flank the arcade, with segmental arch recesses containing three-light windows. The second floor incorporates pointed arches, carved male heads, a cornice, and a parapet.

The Lands Lane facade has modern shop fronts on the ground floor, to either side of a central pointed arch. Above this is a recess containing two male heads and three tall windows. A gable shows the raised letters 'T 1877 A' and a poppy-head finial. Further bays contain three windows to the first floor and a row of five lancet windows on the second floor, behind a pierced balustrade.

Inside, the western entrance arch is surmounted by a mechanical tableau depicting four figures from Sir Walter Scott's 'Ivanhoe,' incorporating a clock and bell. The cast-iron glazed roof is supported by pointed arches with pierced tracery and animal heads. Modern shop windows are on the ground floor, with Gothic-style arches on the first floor. Round plaques are set in the spandrels, and pointed sash windows are at the second-floor ‘clerestory’ level.

Charles Thornton, the arcade’s landlord, also built the New Music Hall (later the City Varieties) and Thornton's Buildings on The Headrow. Plans were approved in 1877 after initial proposals to build on the site of the Old Talbot Inn yard. Thornton’s Arcade is considered the first shopping arcade of its kind in the city.