Exciting plans for the city announced in LeedsBID's annual showcase
There’s lots coming to the city centre this summer ☀️
Exciting plans for the city have been unveiled in the Leeds Business Improvement District (LeedsBID) annual showcase - including a summer roadshow and a new scheme to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
The not-for-profit organisation held the event at Howard Assembly Room yesterday (Thursday April 30), welcoming more than 150 representatives from businesses across Leeds city centre.
Hosted by broadcaster Andrew Edwards, the event presented a number of LeedsBID projects for the coming year, including an announcement on the first three names for the Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2026 (LIFI).
Multi-award-winning composer Tim Minchin, Sunday Times No.1 bestselling author Ashley James and Dr Mya-Rose Craig, a pioneering environmentalist and race activist, are the first three speakers confirmed for this year’s programme.
LeedsBID’s Chief Executive Andrew Cooper, Director of Brand and Innovation Martin Dickson and Director of Place, Engagement, and Safety Karen Butler, talked through the organisation’s ambitious plans for the city centre this summer.
Guests heard about the Trivial Pursuit takeover, which will see the city turned into a giant board game to mark 400 years since Leeds was granted its royal charter.
LeedsBID will also host its summer roadshow in June and July, an annual event for the office sector across the city centre.
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A series of pop-up events at various city centre locations will host free activities to entice workers out of the office to enjoy the outside during their lunch hour.
The roadshow will run over three weeks, with themes of music, make (arts and craft activity) and move (physical activities), and free ice cream will be on offer.
A LeedsBID initiative encouraging city centre businesses to contribute to the environment and communities around them was also unveiled during the event.
By harnessing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) volunteering days, LeedsBID, supported by its Street Ranger Team, is inviting workforces to take part in hands-on sessions such as litter picking, cleaning, painting and wider environmental improvements.
A new partnership to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Leeds city centre was announced, and guests heard from Leeds District Superintendent Matthew Scott of West Yorkshire Police.
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The BCRP is a member-based partnership to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Leeds city centre, providing live radio communications and intelligence sharing.
Promising a stronger, more strategic crime partnership for the city, LeedsBCRP provides a combined city voice on crime and safety, with LeedsBID working closely with West Yorkshire Police and Leeds City Council to combat challenging city centre issues.
Speakers also included Dr Julie Grail, a consultant and expert commentator on the subject of business improvement districts partnerships and place management, and Lucy Sturrock, partner and head of Leeds office at Addleshaw Goddard.
Following the showcase, Andrew Cooper, LeedsBID Chief Executive, said: “It is always a pleasure to be able to reveal some brand-new initiatives for the coming year to the businesses and stakeholders who continue to support our vital work in improving Leeds.
“In what is the 400th year of the city, it is great to be celebrating with Trivial Pursuit Leeds coming this summer and the excitement is already building for LIFI26 with the first three speaker names announced.”