Yorkshire Hub showcased at MIPIM 2017

The planned Yorkshire Hub was one of a number of major opportunities being showcased at MIPIM 2017 by the Leeds City Region, which announced that an updated masterplan was imminent.

Leeds City Council, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and HS2 Growth Partnership are part of a public-private collaboration, driving forward the transformation of the Leeds Station area – which will integrate HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail, the Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade and Northern Rail into the Yorkshire Hub.

A consortium led by Atkins and made up of a group of global design, engineering and project management consultants, has been appointed to develop the masterplan which will guide the revamp of Leeds Station. The project is expected to create over 10,000 local jobs and will help Leeds Station to accommodate its anticipated growth in passenger numbers. An updated station masterplan is likely to be completed by summer 2017.

These delegates came together today at MIPIM 2017 to host a joint event showcasing the investment opportunities at Leeds. Panelists included Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council; Jon Emery, managing director of Property, Europe, Lendlease; Ian Mulcahey, MD, Gensler; councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council; Kersten England, chief executive, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council; Jamie Kerr, MD of the HS2 Growth Partnership; Jon Kenny, director, Commercial Estates Group.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Leeds Station is the busiest station in the north, and a key piece of national infrastructure which is critical to the success of the Northern Powerhouse. There have been significant improvements to services and spaces in the station, with the new franchises bringing new trains and increased capacity – and we are keen to build on these improvements and increase the pace of change ready for the arrival of HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail.

“We have an ambitious vision for Leeds Station, as a distinctive world-class transport hub welcoming visitors to Leeds; as a major catalyst for development and regeneration in the city centre and on South Bank; and as a driver of growth in the dynamic city and city region economy.

“This ambition is being made reality thanks to our strong partnership of civic, business and transport leaders. We are all firmly committed to delivering the same thing – a new Leeds Station which will be a gamechanger for us as a city and region and something for us all to be proud of.”

At the same time GVA has revealed that Leeds City Region has a key ‘window of opportunity’ in its latest report.

Ben Hall, regional senior director of GVA in Yorkshire, said: “Business confidence is high in Leeds City Region, a thriving place to live and work. Leeds City Region is attracting world leading occupiers and has the ability to keep those businesses on Yorkshire soil as well as attracting further customers for landlords who are hungry for growth and returns.”