Leeds businesses urged to back 2023 bid

Leeds businesses are being urged to get behind the city’s “once in a generation” bid to be crowned European Capital of Culture 2023.

Northern Ballet is hosting an event tomorrow which will see more than a 100 of the city’s business leaders invited to get involved in backing the ambitious bid.

Those attending will have the opportunity to find out how they can support the bid through sponsorship, help forge new links between the arts and business communities and build on the growing momentum behind one of the biggest cultural projects to ever happen in Leeds.

Sharon Watson, artistic director with Phoenix Dance Theatre, is chair of the Leeds 2023 independent steering group.

The evening’s entertainment will include a jazz trio from Leeds College of Music, an extract from Northern Ballet’s spectacular production of Casanova ahead of its world premiere on March 11 and a performance from Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Youth Academy.

Watson said: “For our bid to be the success we know it will be, it will take the collective effort of not just the arts community, but the whole city- and local businesses will play a key role in that.

“Sponsoring Leeds 2023 will not just be an investment in the bid, but an investment in the future of Leeds and a powerful statement of intent about our ambition to be a city where culture and business work in tandem to enhance and diversify our local economy.”

Karen Sewell, solicitor with WSP Parsons Brinkerhoff and business spokeswoman for the independent steering group, added: “Every business in Leeds has a reason to support the growth and promotion of the city’s cultural sector.

“By enhancing the city’s cultural offering, the bid for European Capital of Culture will attract skilled workers and the best graduates to make their home in Leeds, as well as attracting national and international visitors to the city.”

Tom Riordan, Leeds City Council’s chief executive, along with representatives from businesses including Land Securities, Hammerson and The Heritage Lottery Fund, will also attend the event.

Confirmed sponsors and those who have already thrown their weight behind the bid including Leeds Business Improvement District (BID), The University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Visit Leeds, Welcome to Yorkshire and West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

The competition for 2023 has an intensive two stage application process which will see Leeds competing with Belfast, Cornwall, Dundee, Nottingham and Milton Keynes for the title.

A final decision is made in 2018.

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