The Golden Beam

The Golden Beam
An imposing stone building with pilasters and pediment, bearing the words "Wetherspoons" and "Free House" and, above the door, "The Golden Beam"
Map
Former namesChurch of Christ, Scientist
Elinor Lupton Centre
General information
TypeChurch (1912–1986)
School arts centre (1986–2010)
Pub (2021–)
Architectural styleEgyptian Revival with Art Deco influences
LocationHeadingley, Leeds, England
Named forElinor Lupton (as school building)
Painting by Atkinson Grimshaw (as pub)
Opened1912, extended 1934
OwnerJD Wetherspoon
Technical details
MaterialPortland stone
Design and construction
Architect(s)Piet de Jong
William Peel Schofield
Designations
Listed Building – Grade II
Designated5 August 1976
Reference no.1255938

The Golden Beam is a pub and Grade II listed building located in the Headingley area of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It was built in c. 1912 for the Church of Christ, Scientist, and was known as the Elinor Lupton Centre from 1986 to 2010 when it was a school arts centre. It was designed by Piet de Jong and William Peel Schofield from the architectural firm Schofield and Berry. Constructed in white Portland stone in a mixed style of Egyptian Revival and Art Deco, it was originally built as a Sunday school in c. 1912–1914, extended in the 1930s with a church building and then used by the Leeds Girls' High School as a theatre and music centre from 1986 until 2010. The structure has architectural significance in the locality due to its distinct style and use of materials; many original features and fittings survive, including the entrance foyer, two staircases and a glazed lantern in the auditorium roof.

The building was unoccupied between 2010 and 2021, with windows and doors boarded up and elevations disfigured by graffiti. The building was included in the 2018 Heritage at Risk Register by Leeds Civic Trust, where it was given 'vulnerable' status.[1] The current owner, JD Wetherspoon, put forward proposals for conversion into a pub and hotel which were locally controversial, with the project facing a planning enquiry and licensing difficulties.[2] Planning permission and an alcohol licence were granted by the City Council in 2020,[3] and the building was converted into a large pub, named The Golden Beam after a painting by Atkinson Grimshaw, which opened June 2021.[4]

  1. ^ "Heritage at Risk 2018" (PDF). Leeds Civic Trust. November 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  2. ^ "Wetherspoon's plan halted in Leeds after judge refuses booze lience". Yorkshire Evening Post. 11 October 2017. Archived from the original on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  3. ^ Beecham, Richard (27 February 2020). "Headingley Wetherspoons given permission – but Otley Run drinkers will be BANNED". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  4. ^ Withers, Laura (30 March 2021). "When Leeds two brand new Wetherspoon pubs are set to open". LeedsLive. Retrieved 2 April 2021.