Leeds businesses resoundingly endorse Business Improvement District’s plan for £18m investment in city centre

LeedsBID has been voted in for another five years after a resounding endorsement from businesses in Leeds city centre.

In its ballot results announced today, 98% of voters have backed renewing the Business Improvement District for a third term – its Chapter 3 to run from April 2025-March 2030.

The results show the strength of support for the work of LeedsBID from the businesses it represents and the backing of its ambitious plans to invest £18.2m back into the city centre over the next five years through an array of projects, events and activities.

LeedsBID is the largest multi-sector Business Improvement District outside of London and the city’s largest business voice, representing close to 700 businesses from office, retail, leisure and hospitality, public and education sectors.

Over a four-week period (10^th October-7^th November) levy paying businesses were asked to vote for another five-year term of LeedsBID as well as plans to extend the BID boundary to cover 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 in line with an expanding city centre. This expansion will see LeedsBID incorporate major new developments around the river, including the Royal Armouries and Aire Park, providing the opportunity to capitalise on the city’s riverfront assets.

LeedsBID Chief Executive Andrew Cooper said:

“Thank you to all the city centre businesses who have supported and voted for our Chapter 3 business plan for 2025-2030.

We are delighted to receive such positive and overwhelming endorsement. As the largest multi-sector business improvement district outside of London, we are excited and committed in putting Leeds first, driving the improvement of the city centre and creating positive transformation.

My thanks also go to the energy and commitment of the LeedsBID team who have been unwavering in their delivery of high-quality projects, events, festivals, and day-to-day services that benefit all city centre businesses.”

Looking ahead to its third chapter in the city, LeedsBID will bring an investment of £18m to Leeds city centre, focusing its support on the aspirations and ambition for Leeds.

LeedsBID: Chapter 3 sees the organisation prioritising putting Leeds first, driving the improvement of the city centre and creating positive transformation for its Term Three, (running from 2025 to 2030), with the core themes of Welcoming, Innovation and Ambitious the focus of its work over the next five years.