Leeds 'On Cusp Of Transformation'

Leeds ‘On Cusp Of Transformation’

Scaffolding erectors in Leeds could be preparing to be very busy soon as the city has been pinpointed as being on the edge of an exciting new era.

Writing in the Yorkshire Post, chairman of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Roger Marsh has reported on the optimism he felt at MIPIM UK, the national property and development conference.

“I was pleased to stand shoulder to shoulder with public sector partners and the City Region’s private sector sponsors to showcase the public private partnership approach which has been commended by both business and government,” said Marsh.

“Together we were all able to emphasise how the City Region is already delivering significant returns to investors, continuing to attract major occupiers with brands such as Burberry and Sky continuing to grow their presence in the region; and that now is the time to become part of our story.”

The incoming HS2 high-speed rail service was given much attention at the event, with plenty of contracts on the horizon to support the innovative new transport link.

Leeds wants to capitalise on the benefits the ‘once in a lifetime investment’ will bring to the city and surrounding areas both for residents and local businesses.

This is why Leeds City Council plans to remodel Leeds Station, while the University of Leeds has announced it is investing £10 million into the UK’s first dedicated centre for high-speed rail technologies and system integration.

Complementing these developments, the City Region highlighted the current vision for York Central and related opportunities at the second phase of Enterprise Zones, which launched earlier this year in Wakefield, Kirklees, Bardford and Calderdale.

“It was also wonderful to see during MIPIM UK how investments made by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority are continuing to create new opportunities,” said Marsh.

Marsh added that the event was a great opportunity to see Leeds and its fellow cities in the North as potential players in a post-Brexit Britain.

Marsh, who sat on a panel discussion on the subject of Britain outside the EU, stated: “It’s clear that the Northern Powerhouse is continuing to garner global attention from businesses looking to relocate and investors looking to achieve and excellent return on their investment.”

Finally, the LEP chairman praised the initiative to encourage Channel 4 to move some of its operations North via the #4Sparks campaign.

“I firmly believe the region is on the cusp of a real transformation and Channel 4 are the spark, the opportunity that could lead that revolution.”

The #4Sparks campaign is being led by the Invest in Leeds City Region scheme to attract the relocation of Channel 4 with the support of the cutting-edge content creators of the city.

The drive to attract the relocation of the mainstream television channel is fuelled by Yorkshire & Humber’s rapidly growing film and TV industries.

The relocation could spark a revolution in creative and screen industries, said Marsh, who told the Post that it was a privilege to reflect upon the successes of the region at MIPIM UK, including the growing digital media industry.

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