Leeds' five-year plan for the city centre revealed with three 'key pillars'
Leeds' five-year plan for the city centre has been announced with three 'key pillars'. Major new developments are planned around the River Aire, including the Royal Armouries and Aire Park.
These pillars aim to promote a 'welcoming, inspirational and ambitious' environment. Leeds BID (Business Improvement Districts) announced the plan its Business Plan for 2025-2030 today.
Leeds BID was established in 2015, the not-for-profit, non-political organisation works to improve Leeds city centre for all. It has so far invested £14m into the city centre from 2020 to 2025.
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Explaining the three key pillars, Leeds BID said: "Welcoming: LeedsBID will focus on ensuring the city remains clean, safe, and friendly through ongoing initiatives such as Street Rangers and welcome teams. Inspirational: With major events like Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI), summer attractions, and festive projections, LeedsBID aims to create experiences that will drive footfall and solidify Leeds as a key destination.
"Ambitious: Continuing to support bold projects, LeedsBID will work closely with businesses and stakeholders to launch new initiatives, strengthen business voices, and differentiate Leeds on the national stage."
A major component of the plan, in recognition of the city’s growth, is a proposed extension to the BID boundary, ensuring it covers key areas from the ring road in the north to Crown Point Road in the south, and from Wellington Street and Holbeck in the west to Quarry Hill and Leeds Dock in the east.
This expansion will see LeedsBID represent 790 businesses in its third term, and incorporate major new developments around the river, including the Royal Armouries and Aire Park – the largest new city centre green space in the UK. It aims to capitalise on the city’s riverfront assets, acting as a catalyst for new initiatives which maximise opportunities for the riverside.
A ballot opens on October 11, where levy payers will have the opportunity to vote for LeedsBID to continue their work into a third term, with the new Business Plan.
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