Victoria Gate 2016: Timelapse video shows progress at shopping site

THIS is the year of Victoria Gate.

This month it was announced that head of John Lewis’ Sheffield retail site, James Prince, would be taking the helm in Leeds.

The Leeds store, which is costing the retailer £37m, covers 255,000 sq ft. When complete, it will be home to 550 staff.

But the site is not only going to be home to iconic retailers such as John Lewis.

Hammerson, the developers of the £165m Victoria Gate, have enlisted the help of hospitality students from Leeds Beckett University to get their ideas on the food and beverage offering at the shopping complex.

Getting smaller retailers and those based at the historic Kirkgate Markets (founding place of rivals Marks and Spencers) involved is key, according to Hammerson.

James Rogers, community manager for Hammerson plc, said: “Developing the link between the old and the new, in this case Kirkgate Market and Victoria Gate, will be crucial in ensuring the continued success of the thriving retail and leisure sector in Leeds.

“The students’ projects specifically looked at the food and beverage provision, both in the new development and the market, and how best to ensure a relevant mix of offering which will be enough to tempt shoppers from both to each other.”

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Watch the timelapse video above of the Victoria Gate development this month.