Interserve has been awarded a £12.3 million contract to improve and refurbish a historic building in Leeds.

The company will redevelop the Kirkgate Market in Leeds City Centre.

The project will modernise the Grade One listed building.

Specifics of the project include:

• Development of a new event space and dedicated café area.

• Maintenance to and renewal of the 1976 and 1981 halls, plus replacement roofs in both.

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• Introduction of a new covered daily market within the 1976 hall.

• Pedestrian routes linking the George St, New York St and Vicar Lane entrances.

• Improved signage, screens and maps enabling shoppers to navigate the enhanced space.

The works are expected to last until autumn 2016.

The contract was awarded via the YORbuild framework.

John Gittins, Divisional Director of Interserve, said: "There are a number of challenges with completing work around a live retail environment. To mitigate these, we have already undertaken some initial enabling works and will complete some of the work outside trading hours to minimise disruption.

"As the building is listed, we will be working closely with English Heritage and the conservation team."

(LM)