Thornton’s Arcade in Leeds is named after businessman Charles Thornton (1820–1881) who commissioned the building.  The  original architect  was Charles Fowler but, following problems  with the  Borough engineer regarding the drainage, Charles Thornton appointed George Smith  as architect. They had worked together on the Leeds City Varieties Music Hall which George Smith designed in Swan Street (1865). The arcade was opened in May 1878, the same year William Morris signed the lease for Kelmscott House.

Entry to Thornton’s Arcade Lands Lane

The Briggate entrance

Looking down towards Briggate