‘Crossgates has a lot to offer’ our long standing Crossgates resident and Associate Director and Valuer, Helen Holdsworth explains.

One of my earliest memories of Crossgates is walking down the Arndale centre with my grandmother and her sister. My grandmother was a retired milliner (hat maker) and was an elegant lady who never left the house without her matching shoes and handbag, gloves and a hat, think ‘Queen mother’ and you get the picture.  At the time it was a real treat, glistening new stores, indoor fountains, big toy shops and a Wimpy burger bar! It was the first of its kind in Leeds and was talk of the town in 1967.

Vibrant town centre

Today, as I walked down the centre in my lunch hour, I was delighted to see crowds and families once again. It seems an age (pre-pandemic) since it was as busy, but maybe I am underestimating the pull of a Dinosaur walkabout, laid on by the centre’s organisers to entertain the children in the school holidays.   

Having grown up here and working as an Estate Agent, it is my job to sell the area to newcomers, but I have to say, it’s the easiest thing! When I do, it still amazes me how lucky I am to live somewhere with so many facilities and with such a strong community spirit.

Along with a thriving centre and high street there is a train station for easy connections around West Yorkshire and Leedscity centre, great primary schools, churches, a post office, jewellers, beauty salons, nail bars and a very famous butchers with the best pork pies in the land!

Amenities for all the family

If shopping is not your thing and you are looking for leisure activities, there has been a welcome influx of bars and restaurants as confidence grows and investment continues. An Odeon Cinema is available at Thorpe Park and there is an abundance of open spaces with Manston Park close to the centre and the incredible Temple Newsam estate, which in my opinion, surpasses Roundhay Park and will always hold a special place in my heart after the hours I spent there as a child and with my own children.

Great commuter links

Crossgates has always been a trail blazer and is set to continue with investment in infrastructure, new shopping developments and additional park and green spaces. The new East Leeds Orbital Road will be opening soon which gives even faster access to the motorway network and some 5000 much needed new homes are coming over the next few years.

I for one am sure that once they realise what Crossgates has to offer and how many conveniences they have on their doorstep they will never move away – a bit like me!

To find out more about houses in the Crossgates area, contact the local branch.