Firms back £35m cultural programme set up in the wake of Leeds 2023
Corporate partners who backed the European Capital of Culture Leeds bid have given their support to a £35m six year cultural investment programme, which will culminate in a year-long celebration of the city’s local and international cultural connection in 2023.
The programme is a direct legacy of the city’s European Capital of Culture bid, which was scrapped last year after the city and other potential UK host cities were told the UK could not participate due to Brexit.
Following this, more than 750 people attended an event in January where an alternative £35m six-year programme was launched.
Ongoing support from a host of sponsors across Leeds will see the partners give employee time, branding, marketing and events support, to promote the project, as well as financial backing to help initiatives to be developed.
David Israel, head of partnerships for the Leeds 2023 programme at Leeds City Council, said more organisations were welcome to come forward and give their backing.
He said: “The continuing support from the business community in Leeds and beyond, both during the original bid and following the launch of plans for how the city will move forward with its cultural ambitions in January, has been nothing short of extraordinary.
“It’s fantastic to see such high levels of business engagement and enthusiasm for the next exciting chapter of the Leeds 2023 journey and we’re looking forward to working with our partners over the coming months as we maintain momentum and work to create a strong and meaningful legacy across the whole city.”
Leeds 2023 is supported by the following organisations: Leeds City Council; University of Leeds; Leeds Beckett University; Leeds Trinity University; Leeds Arts University; Leeds College of Music; Leeds College of Building; Leeds City College; Northern School of Contemporary Dance; Yorkshire Building Society; Yorkshire Bank; aql; Squire Patton Boggs; Arup; Turner & Townsend; Bruntwood; Keepmoat; Rushbond; CEG; RSM; Land Securities’ Trinity White Rose; Awesome Merchandise; The Yorkshire Post; Welcome to Yorkshire; Child Friendly Leeds; Leeds Business Improvement District; Welcome to Yorkshire, Leeds Bradford Airport; Visit Leeds; and West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; The Grammar School at Leeds; Weightmans; Yorkshire Mafia; Mills & Reeve; Tilney; Schofield Sweeney; BWB Consulting; Brewin Dolphin; and Ward Hadaway.
