Alf Cooke printworks

Alf Cooke printworks is a three-story red brick building with distinctive architectural features including a prominent clock tower, stone details, terracotta ornaments, a water tower, and a tall chimney. The structure was later repurposed as an educational facility and now houses teaching spaces for various practical and craft-based courses.

The building arose from fires in the 1880s when Alfred Cooke rebuilt it in 1895 and developed it into the world's largest printing facility. Recognition as Royal Color Printer to Queen Victoria in 1885 reflects the high reputation the works gained for chromolithographic excellence.

The building still carries marks of its past as a major production hub where skilled workers mastered complex printing techniques. The architecture and preserved details remind visitors of a time when such factories formed the heart of industrial Leeds.

The site is now part of an educational center and can be visited during events or guided tours that are regularly offered. It is advisable to check ahead about current opening times and available visits, as usage as a teaching facility may vary.

A notable architectural feature: the building preserves a window from the former St Jude's Church that was retained when the site expanded in the 1950s. This window marks where industrial expansion met existing religious heritage on the same ground.

Location: Leeds

Inception: 1881

Website: http://leedscitycollege.ac.uk

GPS coordinates: 53.78875,-1.53650

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:43