Leeds Community Foundation
Gipton Fire Station opened in 1937 and closed its doors for service in 2015, having played a significant role in the local community for 75 years. It is now a thriving community hub. A brand was created that echoed the iconic feel of the original building whilst linking the original fire station doors that now help lives when people pass through them.
The Old Fire Station: Branding / Website / Literature / Signage
The Old Fire Station
In 2014, the West Yorkshire Fire Service commissioned a new fire station in Killingbeck and decommissioned their stations in Gipton and Stanks. Two locally-based community organsiations (GIPSIL and Zest Health for Life) approached Leeds Community Foundation (LCF) to see if it was possible to save the building for the community by converting it into a Community and Enterprise hub.
LCF managed a significant fund set up by the late Jimi Heselden, a local businessman who was born and brought up in East Leeds. Following discussions with Jimi’s family, LCF was able to make a grant from Jimbo’s Fund to finance the purchase and renovation of the former fire staion. Jimi felt passionately about supporting his local community, so this is a very appropriate way of acknowledging his tremendous generosity.
Other third sector partners came on board as potential tenants, and contractors were appointed – Brewster Bye (architects), Aspect 4 (project managers) and Simpson Of York (construction company). The project began to take shape and the renovation was completed in August 2017. – but the building has been transformed into a bright modern hub of activity
Many of the original features have been retained – old pumps, the firemans poles some flooring and tiles – with the building being transformed into a bright modern hub of activity.
More Selected Projects