Leeds City Region: Positive developments are on the horizon

THE iconic first direct Arena which opened its doors last night and the £350m Trinity Leeds shopping centre are just the start of the Leeds becoming a commercial centre to rival others across the world, according to a city businessmen.

Alastair Da Costa of law firm DLA Piper and non-executive board member of inward investment agency Leeds and Partners highlighted “transformational” ideas in the pipeline, which he believes will make the face of Leeds “even more attractive”.

He said: “With major schemes like Victoria Gate on the horizon, and transformational ideas still in the pipeline, such as an International Convention Centre for Leeds, the face of Leeds is going to become even more attractive. Bring these to fruition and we really are a commercial centre to rival others across the world.”

For the full story on the renewed confidence in the Leeds City Region, click here.

It’s not just the retail sector that business people are highlighting.

KPMG’s new Sovereign Street headquarters is pushing ahead, while law firm Shulmans has committed to taking 15,000 sq ft at 10 Wellington Place, the new 35,000 sq ft development under construction in the upcoming Leeds West End business quarter.

Matthew Tootell, director of offices at GVA said there has been a change in opinion on the area.

He said: “If you’d asked a London property company or investor 12 to 18 months ago if they would consider Leeds as a region to invest in you would have been faced with blunt negative response.

“However, I was down in London a couple of weeks ago and the people I was speaking to were saying ‘We are certainly interested in Leeds and the region’. There has certainly been a seachange of opinion. There’s now an office and occupier story to tell, as well as an industrial and retail story to tell. That’s exciting.”

In other towns and cities across the Leeds city region, there is a feeling that although times might still be tough, things are looking up.

Dai Powell, associate in planning, development and regeneration at the Leeds office of GVA, said: “Cities like Bradford, which have often been perceived negatively, have good news with developer Westfield showing its commitment to the long-awaited Broadway shopping centre scheme.”