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A New Next Chapter for LeedsBID

LeedsBID is looking forward to taking its next steps in continuing its work for the benefit of businesses in the city centre.

This year, the Leeds Business Improvement District is taking its annual AGM and showcase event on-line to review its work over the last financial year as well as previewing some of its plans to come for Leeds city centre.

The event going ahead today (Wednesday 11th November) looks at what LeedsBID has brought to the city during 2019-2020 – its 5th year and last year of its first term – and shares in some of its innovative activities for the months ahead providing that essential ongoing support for businesses amid the current challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Business Improvement District, which was established in 2015, is focused on making a real difference to Leeds city centre, improving it for all those who use it and helping deliver economic benefits across all sectors.

In what was a busy, and challenging 12 months, LeedsBID continued to work collaboratively across the city centre to deliver ideas, plans and projects to enhance, animate, and improve Leeds for those who live, work and thrive in it.

The BID acted nimbly and creatively to focus on supporting and meeting the changing needs of businesses and organisations in unprecedent and deeply uncertain times. Its Welcome back to Leeds campaign, leading a positive and reassuring promotion centred around an informative website, providing important information for people’s safe return to the city centre while supporting all sectors of the community.

As part of the Business Improvement District’s move into its next chapter of work, its second five year term from 2020-2025, comes the announcement of a new chair and strengthened board line up.

Tracey Lancaster, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Resources) at Leeds Beckett University has been appointed Chair of the LeedsBID, after time as a board director. Also joining the board from sectors across the city are: Katie O’Hara, Director of Sales at Interstate Hotels (Crowne Plaza); Robin Hawkes, Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive at Leeds Playhouse; Paul Ellison, Managing Director of Yorkshire Design Group; Jane Brodie Senior HR Business Partner at Equifax and Jo Coburn, Centre Manager of Victoria Leeds.

They sit alongside continuing members of the LeedsBID Board – a collection of key leaders and influencers from across all sectors of the city who provide strong governance, strategic direction and ensure delivery of the BID’s ambitious business plan to improve Leeds city centre for all who use it.

LeedsBID is committed to delivering over £14m investment into Leeds over the next five years, directing its work into five areas of focus – Ambition, Curation, Animation, Collaboration and Innovation.

LeedsBID Chief Executive Andrew Cooper said:

“Being innovative, collaborative and working together for the collective good has never been more important. LeedsBID is well placed to meet the challenging conditions the city and its businesses now find themselves in and is focused on planning and working for a better future for Leeds city centre.”

Keep up-to-date with the work of LeedsBID @ www.leedsbid.co.uk