The Dark Arches in Leeds is a well known part of the city, they were first constructed to support Leeds Railway Station, it's a network of brick arches with the River Aire running through them. The project was first completed in 1869 and built using more than 18 million bricks and stone.
There were several businesses underneath the arches in days gone by, these included; restaurants, shops, boutiques, cafes, a bakery, exhibition spaces, and a 1,000-capacity events venue. The former Arches shopping centre was hit by decline and has since become a car park.
The area has fallen to the wayside in recent times and for years it has not been used to its full potential. Many people have said that the arches seem "desolate" and without a cause. Once upon a time there was an almost "bazaar" with arts and craft stalls and the smell of fragrance travelling through the air.
