LeedsBID is set to invest £18 million from 2025 to 2030 to make Leeds a safer, more vibrant city, expanding street safety teams and hosting exciting events like the Leeds International Festival of Ideas. With a commitment to sustainability and community engagement, this initiative aims to enhance the urban experience for residents and visitors alike, ensuring Leeds thrives as a destination of innovation and inclusivity.
What is LeedsBID’s vision for the city’s future?
LeedsBID’s vision for 2025-2030 is to transform Leeds into a more attractive, safe, and vibrant city. Investing £18 million, plans include expanding the Street Ranger team, fostering a welcoming environment, conceiving creative events like the Leeds International Festival of Ideas, and pursuing sustainability by broadening the BID boundaries and using electric vehicles. This strategy aims to drive positive change and position Leeds as a leader in urban excellence.
Pioneering Improvement and Innovation
LeedsBID, known for its pivotal role in transforming Leeds city centre into a dynamic and progressive hub, has unveiled its ambitious business plan for 2025-2030. Established as a non-profit and non-political entity, LeedsBID operates with a singular objective: to enhance the Leeds city centre experience for everyone. This initiative, funded by the business community through a BID levy, has been instrumental in a series of significant developments throughout the city. The forthcoming term, termed ‘Chapter 3’, is set to build upon a legacy of success, with an investment of £18 million over the next five years.
At the heart of LeedsBID’s agenda is the principle of collaborative enhancement. The organisation represents the collective interests of over 700 businesses, striving to create a more attractive, safe, and vibrant urban space. Every five years, these businesses have a chance to shape the strategic direction of LeedsBID. As part of the proposed Chapter 3, a range of projects and initiatives are set to be rolled out, each aimed at elevating the city’s status and making it an even more desirable destination for business and leisure.
The plan outlines a continuation of LeedsBID’s transformative work, expanding on the city’s rapid growth since 2015. Leeds now boasts seven major shopping centers, a growing number of build-to-rent developments, and the relocation of key government departments to the city. This progress forms the backdrop for the exciting prospects that LeedsBID aims to bring to fruition.
Fostering a Welcoming City Environment
First and foremost on LeedsBID’s agenda is the ambition to ensure that Leeds remains a welcoming city. This goes beyond aesthetics to encompass safety, cleanliness, and a friendly atmosphere. Plans to expand the Street Ranger team, who contribute significantly to the city’s cleanliness using green and hybrid technology, are underway. These efforts will be reinforced by collaborations with Business Against Crime in Leeds, West Yorks Police, and LCC (Safer Leeds) to tackle city centre crime and anti-social behaviour effectively.
Building on successful pilots and existing initiatives, LeedsBID aims to introduce a city centre response team. This initiative promises a visible on-street presence dedicated to supporting businesses and ensuring a safe and hospitable urban core. Through such measures, LeedsBID demonstrates a commitment to not just maintain, but enhance the welcoming nature of Leeds city centre.
The vision for the city is one of inclusiveness, where residents, businesses, and visitors alike can feel secure and valued. LeedsBID’s approach is holistic, addressing the physical, social, and commercial facets of the city centre to create an environment that is conducive to growth and well-being.
Inspiring Through Creative Events and Activities
LeedsBID has a storied history of conceiving and executing inspirational events that captivate locals and draw visitors from far and wide. These range from family-friendly activities to vibrant installations that reflect the city’s unique character. Past highlights include the MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover, the installation of lifelike dinosaurs throughout the city, and the animation of the iconic Queens Hotel with notable figures like Celia Imrie CBE.
The organisation’s track record of staging such eye-catching events is not merely for entertainment; it’s a strategic effort to drive footfall, create buzz, and secure Leeds’ reputation as a centre of innovation and excitement. Upcoming plans are kept under wraps, but LeedsBID has hinted at a spectacular Christmas installation, the ongoing success of the Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI), and more events that will coincide with key dates on the calendar.
These efforts serve a dual purpose: they enliven the cityscape and act as magnets for cultural and economic activity. By prioritizing engaging and innovative public experiences, LeedsBID sets Leeds apart as a city that’s both forward-looking and deeply invested in the happiness of its community.
Ambitious Moves Toward a Sustainable and Inclusive Future
Beyond creating a welcoming and inspiring city, LeedsBID’s ‘Chapter 3’ plan is fueled by ambition. This includes broadening the boundaries of the BID to integrate the south of the river and its waterways, enhancing both aesthetic appeal and connectivity. The pursuit of sustainability is paramount, as is evident in the commitment to using electric vehicles for the Street Ranger and Welcome to Leeds services, including a UK-first solar-panel-equipped vehicle.
LeedsBID sees its role as a catalyst for constant progress, supporting the city in achieving ambitious sustainability targets and pioneering new initiatives to distinguish Leeds from other urban centres. The Chief Executive of LeedsBID, Andrew Cooper, envisions the organisation as a collaborative force for collective betterment, with a firm focus on reinvesting the BID levy to drive positive change and continuous improvement in Leeds city centre.
In summary, LeedsBID’s vision for its next five-year term is one of transformative development, aimed at making Leeds a more welcoming, innovative, and ambitious city for everyone. With a decade of accomplishments already under its belt, LeedsBID enters its ‘Chapter 3’ with a clear mission and the drive to ensure that Leeds remains not just on the map, but at the forefront of urban excellence.
- LeedsBID plans to invest £18 million from 2025 to 2030 to enhance the safety and vibrancy of Leeds, including expanding street safety teams and hosting events like the Leeds International Festival of Ideas.
- The initiative aims to foster a more attractive and inclusive urban environment, supported by over 700 businesses that contribute to the BID levy.
- LeedsBID’s strategy includes launching a city centre response team to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour while ensuring a clean and friendly atmosphere.
- The organisation has a history of hosting creative and engaging events to attract visitors and boost local economic activity, with upcoming projects in development.
- Sustainability is a key focus in LeedsBID’s ‘Chapter 3’ plan, which involves expanding BID boundaries and using electric vehicles for city services.