Asda HQ Evacuated in Leeds After ‘Suspicious Package’ Found as Army Bomb Squad Carries Out Controlled Explosion
Asda’s headquarters in Leeds was evacuated on Monday 9 November 2026 after a suspicious package was found at the building, prompting an Army bomb disposal team to carry out a controlled explosion. No one was hurt, and police said there was no wider threat to the public.
West Yorkshire Police received reports of the package at Asda House on Great Wilson Street at about 11:15 GMT on Monday morning. The building was evacuated as a precaution, a cordon was put in place around the site, and an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team attended to deal with the item. Roads around the building were expected to stay closed through the Monday evening rush hour.
An Asda spokesperson confirmed the building had been evacuated safely and that everyone inside left without injury. The contents of the package have not been disclosed, and police said further investigations are ongoing.
Asda HQ Evacuation in Leeds at a Glance
| Detail | What happened |
|---|---|
| Location | Asda House, Great Wilson Street, Leeds city centre |
| Date and time reported | Monday 9 November 2026, about 11:15 GMT |
| What was found | A suspicious package sent to Asda House |
| Police response | West Yorkshire Police evacuated the building and set up a cordon |
| Bomb disposal | Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team carried out a controlled explosion |
| Injuries | None reported; Asda confirmed everyone left safely |
| Wider threat | Police said there was no wider threat to the public |
| Road closures | Roads around Asda House closed, expected through the Monday evening rush hour |
| Investigation | Ongoing; contents of the package not disclosed |
What Happened at Asda House on Great Wilson Street
The alarm was raised late on Monday morning when a suspicious package was reported to have been sent to Asda House, the supermarket’s headquarters on Great Wilson Street in Leeds city centre. Police were called at about 11:15 GMT, and the building was evacuated as a precaution.
Staff were told to leave the building and go home, according to an eyewitness account reported by the BBC. A cordon was put in place around Asda House, and roads in the area were closed while emergency services dealt with the incident.
Video footage from the scene showed a bomb disposal device being wheeled out of the back of an Army vehicle, and officers in protective equipment working near the cordon.
Army Bomb Disposal Team Carries Out Controlled Explosion
An Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called to the scene and carried out a controlled explosion on the suspicious package, the BBC reported. The Sun also reported that the Army bomb squad was called in after the package was found.
The police have not said what the package contained, and no official confirmation has been given that it contained explosives. The controlled explosion was carried out as a precaution while officers investigated.
Controlled explosions are a standard precaution when a suspicious item cannot be identified safely by other means, and the operation was carried out under the direction of the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.
Road Closures and Rush-Hour Disruption Around Leeds City Centre
Roads around Asda House were closed while the operation continued, with disruption expected to last through the Monday evening rush hour. The Sun reported that Neville Street was among the roads closed near the scene.
The closures added to an already difficult day for travel in northern England. Earlier on Monday, the M40 was closed after a crash near Gerrards Cross, and the closure left some drivers facing long delays.
Commuters in Leeds were advised to check local travel updates before setting off for the evening rush hour. The disruption came on the same day that eight days of Tube strikes were announced for London, adding to pressure on the transport network.
What We Know About the Package — and What Remains Unconfirmed
What is confirmed is that a suspicious package was sent to Asda House, that the building was evacuated, that a cordon was put in place and that an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team carried out a controlled explosion. No one was hurt.
What has not been confirmed is the nature or contents of the package. No authority has said whether the package contained explosives, and the police have not said when the cordon was lifted.
Anyone with information about the package has been urged to contact West Yorkshire Police. The force said the incident remained under investigation and that officers would remain at the scene while enquiries continued.
Asda House: The Supermarket’s Leeds Headquarters Since 1988
Asda House is the central hub of the UK’s third-largest supermarket chain, and the office complex on Great Wilson Street has been the company’s headquarters since 1988. The building houses staff who support Asda’s stores across the UK.
Asda employs thousands of people across its stores, depots and head office, and Asda House is one of the largest employers in Leeds city centre. The evacuation disrupted work for staff based at the site on Monday.
The incident is the latest in a series of security scares at major UK workplaces this year, and it comes at a time of heightened awareness around suspicious packages sent to businesses and public buildings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Asda’s headquarters evacuated on 9 November 2026?
Asda House in Leeds was evacuated after a suspicious package was reported to have been sent to the building. West Yorkshire Police evacuated the building as a precaution, and an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team carried out a controlled explosion. No one was hurt.
Was anyone hurt in the Asda HQ evacuation?
No. Asda confirmed that everyone inside the building left safely, and West Yorkshire Police said no one was injured.
What did the Army bomb disposal team do at Asda House?
An Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team attended the scene and carried out a controlled explosion on the package as a precaution.
Which roads were closed around Asda House in Leeds?
Roads around Asda House on Great Wilson Street were closed, including nearby Neville Street, and were expected to remain closed through the Monday evening rush hour.
Where is Asda’s headquarters?
Asda House is on Great Wilson Street in Leeds city centre. It has been the supermarket chain’s headquarters since the building was officially opened in 1988.
