Expert Office Advice

Stats and information for businesses considering relocation to or setting up an office in Leeds.

Leeds is a thriving, passionate city that is rich in culture and heritage. It is a prosperous business centre but also offers a beautiful local countryside with flourishing local communities.

Population
715404 (Census 2001)

Migration, immigration, ethnic diversity, basic population demographics
• Majority of the population fall under the 15-29 age bracket with the 30-44 age bracket very close behind.
• Ethnicity breakdown: White (91.85%), Mixed (1.83%), Asian or Asian British (4.51%), Black or Black British (1.44%), other (0.5%)
• Religion Breakdown: Christian (68.86%), No Religion (16.79%), Muslim (2.99%), Jewish (1.16%), Sikh (1.06%)

Unemployment/employment rate
• Residence-Based Unemployment Rates (January 2000):
• Leeds Central - 10.0%
• Leeds East - 8.0%
• Leeds North East - 4.7%
• Leeds North West - 3.5%
• Leeds West - 5.5%

Location within the UK and closest major location
• London - 2 hours away by train; 40 minutes by plane.
• Glasgow and Edinburgh - 1 hour away
• Dublin - 45 minutes by plane.

Transport options to and within
• Well maintained roads and highways.
• Excellent public transportation (bus and rail) with a FreeCityBus linking Leeds’ rail and bus stations, business and shopping districts, the General Infirmary, Universities and Park Lane College.

Closest airports with average distance from town/city centre
• Leeds/Bradford International Airport - 6.4miles
• Sheffield City Airport - 29.28miles
• Robin Hood Airport - 31.76miles

Dominating sectors / industries
• Although manufacturing employs 10% of people, it accounts for 14% of output.
• Distribution employs 20% of the people, but produces only 15% of the output.
• The service sector dominates both in terms of employment (55% of the total) and output (53%).

Areas that are considered to be prime business locations
• Leeds Kirkgate Market
• Otley, Pudsey, and Yeadon Markets
• Pontrefact Lane
• Elland Road

Major or annual business-related events
• Celebrate Leeds 2007 - lots of events lined up for this year

Awards
Recipients of the Leeds Award for Architecture Excellence in Places and Spaces
• 2004 - The Round Faindry, Holbeck Urban Village; Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stanton; The Parkinson Building, University of Leeds
• 2003 - Ford Bank, 31 Westgate, Wetherby; The Small Mill, Leeds; City Square, Leeds; 1 Dock Street, Leeds
• 2002 - Millennium Square, Leeds; Th eLight, the Headrow, Leeds; Princes Exchange, Leeds
• 2001 - Hannah House Hospice, Rothwell
• 2000 - Epi-Centre, Meanwood urban farm, Leeds
• 1998 - Eco-Houses, Chapel Allerton, Leeds

Other
• Celebrate Leeds 2007 - yearlong festival for Leed’s 800th year

Restrictions
New Licensing Laws
• Licensing Act 2003
• Gambling Act 2005

Special business benefits/dispensations
• Small Business Rate Relief
• Empty and Partial Occupation Properties
• Rural Rate Relief
• Hardship Relief
• Relief for Charities, Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) and “Not For Profit Organisations”

3 best things about the location
• Has been called “One of Europe’s top cities for business” by Cushman Wakefield European Cities Monitor 2006.
• Leeds Vision includes a Regeneration Plan for 2005 to 2008.
• Voted the best English city to visit outside London (Conde Nast Traveller awards 2005).

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