2013 is set to be Leeds’ year. And it has started well for the West Yorkshire city, with all
eyes focused on Land Securities’ £350m Trinity shopping centre, which opens later this month. LandSec says Trinity will “transform shopping and
leisure in the North” – perhaps a barbed dig at near neighbour Manchester, for so long the established regional powerhouse. Boasting more than 1m sq ft over three levels, Trinity will
certainly make a statement. The doors open on 21 March and virtually all of its 120
shops are already let – many to tenants making their first foray out of London. Ashley Blake, head of retail portfolio management at LandSec, says the city is on a roll. “Leeds is certainly in a good position this year,” he says.
“We are going out there with Trinity 90% let, which reflects well on us and Leeds when you talk to investors.
“A few years ago, there was perhaps a fear that Leeds
could have lagged behind other regional cities, but the local authority has invested time and money and the city region seems to be working together much more, instead of competing with itself.” Blake adds: “It seems to have the confidence to know it
can compete with Manchester and Birmingham.” The city will hope Trinity can create enough momentum
to give Hammerson’s Eastgate Quarters a similar push. The developer has appointed architects on the £120m first phase, and hopes to start on site next year. When Eastgate is finally built out, Leeds will have an
extra 1.1m sq ft of retail and leisure space to play with. Inward investment agency Leeds and Partners is
stepping up its work to promote the city and last month launched an ambitious tourism campaign at London’s King’s Cross station.