Leeds has played host to a special forum looking to tackle the most pressing issues facing UK high streets and unlock both local and national growth.

High Streets UK chose the city as the latest location for its fourth quarterly forum, which brought together senior (Business Improvement District) BID leaders, investors and local partners.

High Streets UK is a nationwide partnership of BIDs and has established itself as an authoritative voice, bringing together flagship destinations to offer practical, evidence-led solutions rooted in the real experiences of businesses and communities.

Hosted by founding member LeedsBID at Hyatt Place Leeds, the discussion focused on the practical conditions needed to unlock investment and regeneration, and the importance of alignment between local, regional, and national decision making as cities look ahead in 2026.

Representatives from Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London, Cardiff, Newcastle and Birmingham joined LeedsBID in discussing the visitor economy,  delivery restraints due to policy and cost pressures and how tools such as business rates and the Overnight Visitor Levy interact with long-term investment decisions.

The Forum also included contributions from Leeds-based businesses and institutions, including Farkhanda Hussain-Butt, Business Board Member at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and Ed Whiting, Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, alongside investor and cultural perspectives from Land Securities, Pinsent Masons and the Royal Armouries Museum.

The outcomes will directly inform High Streets UK’s engagement with local authorities, combined authorities and national government over the year ahead.

Find out more about High Streets UK here