Roof leak at revamped Doncaster Corn Exchange after heavy rain 'caused by nesting pigeons'
Debris from nesting pigeons blocked drainage systems during the heavy rain.
A leak in the roof of Doncaster’s modernised Corn Exchange in the city centre was caused by pigeons, officials have said.
Visitors to the Corn Exchange on June 11, 2026, will have seen buckets and chairs being used to cordon off the wet area, after heavy rain that morning and in the days prior.
The site was reopened just over a year ago after a £5million Government-funded revamp.
Dan Swaine, executive director of place at the City of Doncaster Council, blamed the leak on blocked drainage caused by pigeons.
He said: “With the rainfall of the past few days, visitors to the Corn Exchange may recently have noticed a minor leak in the building’s roof. This has been caused by nesting pigeons leaving behind debris that has, in turn, blocked the rainwater outlets and affected drainage.
“Together with our partners at Market Asset Management, who operate the Corn Exchange, we have procedures and measures in place to address this issue and are pleased to say that it has now been resolved.”
However, Mr Swaine said the council and Market Asset Management would be working to ensure there are no further leaks.
He said: “To minimise the chances of this happening again, routine inspections and cleaning regimes of the roof will be stepped up. Additionally, we are also exploring humane approaches to bird‑proofing the building to offer a longer term solution.
“In the meantime, we encourage people to please not feed the pigeons around the Corn Exchange, as this may attract more of them to the roof.”
Doncaster’s Corn Exchange was originally built in 1870 as a concert hall and marketplace and is now a grade-II listed building.