Asda Headquarters Evacuated Following Suspicious Package Report in Leeds

Asda House, the corporate headquarters of the supermarket chain in Leeds, was evacuated following reports of a suspicious package sent to the building. Multiple police vehicles and emergency personnel rushed to Great Wilson Street after receiving the alert at 11:16 a.m.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed that an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was deployed to the scene. Authorities established a safety cordon around the office complex and instituted road closures, urging motorists and pedestrians to stay away from the area.

Employees were directed out of the building as a precautionary measure and gathered on nearby grassland across the street. Eyewitnesses reported that staff members were subsequently sent home for the day and were initially prevented from entering the parking area to retrieve their vehicles.

Ambulance crews also stationed themselves alongside police vehicles while officers worked to divert traffic away from the city center inner ring road. The ongoing investigation and surrounding road closures caused notable traffic disruptions throughout the surrounding area.

Asda House serves as the central administrative hub for one of the major British supermarket chains. Originally opened in 1988 by then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the office complex is situated on Great Wilson Street in the heart of Leeds.

The supermarket company maintains deep historical ties to the city, having been established there in 1949 under the name Associated Dairies and Farm Stores Ltd. The business later shortened its name to Asda in 1965 by combining the names of the founding brothers, Asquith, with dairies.

Following periods of foreign ownership by United States retail giant Walmart, the supermarket chain was acquired in 2021 by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital. Authorities stated that investigations at the headquarters remain ongoing as emergency teams work to secure the location.