Leeds 13th most attractive city for occupiers in Europe

Leeds ranks 13th out of 50 cities analysed across Europe in terms of their attractiveness to occupiers, according to a report released at MIPIM this week.

Key socio-economic factors in which Leeds impressed in Colliers International’s latest Cities of Influence report included boasting a strong talent pool mainly because of the future talent base offered by its top tier universities, workforce catchment area, employer costs and future employment capacity.

The analysis showed current prime central business district (CBD) headline rents in Leeds at £30 per sq ft per year with an average CBD headline rent of £21 per sq ft per year and prime CBD yield currently 5.5%.

Roddy Morrison, director, Colliers International’s National Offices, said: “Leeds features strongly in the latest Cities of Influence rankings in 13th place, despite competition from 50 European cities. The sizeable existing economy, workforce catchment and strong orientation towards financial and business services are key factors in the success of the city.

“We expect the city to continue on its growth path as part of the Northern Powerhouse collective, driving higher level of real estate investment into the area.”

The Cities of Influence report reviews and ranks cities based on their occupier attractiveness, availability of talent, and quality of life factors, alongside economic output and productivity. It ranked London as the most attractive city in Europe for a second year running, with Paris, Madrid, Moscow and Birmingham making up the rest of the top five.

This year’s new extended version of the report looks at 50 major European economic hubs – building on the twenty cities covered in the inaugural report – providing a broad geographic coverage of European markets that are of global, regional and national importance.

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