Leeds Development Agency
by Leeds Development Agency
Leeds is the business capital of Yorkshire and the Humber, one of the largest economic regions in the UK. The economy of Leeds is robust and diverse amply illustrated by the fact that it has the third largest financial and business services sector and the third largest manufacturing sector in the UK, in employment terms.
Leeds has a 24 hour city policy aimed at making the city the place to work, rest and play. Bars and restaurants with their heated pavement cafes thrive all year round and the city boasts cultural attractions including Opera North and the award-winning West Yorkshire Playhouse.
e-commerce major players, Leeds prosperity lies not just with the virtual company, but with the depth of conventional industry. It is the existence of the quality media, legal, financial, software and business support services that are creating bespoke e-business solutions to enable and encourage the uptake of e-activities.
A major initiative is now underway to drive high technology growth in Leeds. Public, academic and private sector companies have joined forces to launch e-HQ Leeds, which aims to develop and promote Leeds as the location for e-business. An amazing 35% of all UK internet traffic already comes through Leeds and e-HQ is working to attract new economy investment, ensure provision of an IT skilled workforce, encourage the use of e-commerce and deliver events to spread good practice and information.
Rockliffe, a Silicon Valley Internet software developer, has recently selected Leeds for its European Headquarters. Director Alun Davies explains; access to a large pool of suitably qualified potential employees was a critical factor. Leeds has two world class Universities and access to a workforce of over 2 million. Having experienced spiralling operational costs in Silicon Valley during the late 1990s, Rockliffe was keen to succeed within a sensible budget. Rockliffes research showed that Leeds offered very competitive operational costs when compared with other major European cities, particularly London.
One current e-HQ initiative is the creation of an Internet Quarter. This includes a flagship e-HQ Leeds building, ICT training centre, accommodation for business, facilities for related services, such as mentoring, and the opportunity for start-up businesses to share costs of, for example, connectivity. The Internet Quarter is part of the Holbeck Urban Village scheme, which will encompass a large mixed development scheme within the area, and is already home to a number of new economy businesses, notably at Marshall Mill.
Ananova is one such company that continues to invest in this area. Originally the new media arm of PA News, the company shortlisted London and Leeds as potential relocation sites. Deborah Tonroe, Business Development Manager explains, PA News made the proactive decision to move to Leeds. It has a growing reputation in terms of e-business and has recently enjoyed a resurgence in investment, redevelopment and vision. The quality of life enjoyed in Leeds is exceptional.
The internet quarter complements a number of other e-business locations, such as the Leeds Innovation Centre and Thorpe Park. Global information technology developer and manufacturer, IBM, is to locate its regional headquarters at Thorpe Park Leeds, the only business park in the country with direct motorway access.
Thorpe Park, a £350m project, asserts Leeds status as the fastest growing business city outside of London. Comprising some 271 acres with the capacity for up to 1.8 million square feet of bespoke office space it is directly connected to the broadband fibre network and is an international BT e-location.
A collaboration between the University of Leeds and Thorpe Park is developing a unique environment for academia and industry to work together. Designated a Knowledge Economy Campus, Thorpe Park offers technology demonstrations, graduate recruitment, consultancy, research facilities, access to leading-edge knowledge and information resources, digital incubation and collaborative project facilities.