Sale of Historic U1 Number Plate Approved

Leeds City Council agrees sale of unique Lord Mayor number plate

Leeds City Council has approved the sale of the historic U1 car number plate, which has been associated with the Lord Mayors of Leeds for over 120 years. The sale price agreed is £750,000, with the proceeds intended to support the council’s budget and help maintain essential local services.

Details of the sale

The U1 plate was offered to specialist dealers, with the agreed price being the highest of two bids received. Subject to completion, this sale is expected to be among the highest amounts ever paid for a private number plate in the UK. The identity of the purchaser remains confidential under the terms of the sale.

Following the sale, the Lord Mayor’s civic vehicle will display the number plate L6EDS, which is also owned by the council but is considerably less valuable than U1.

Historical significance of the U1 plate

• The U1 plate was the first number plate issued in Leeds, following the Motor Car Act of 1903 which mandated all cars to have number plates.
• It was originally purchased by Rowland Winn, a local resident who was a founding member of the Automobile Association and one of Leeds’ first car dealers.
• Mr Winn gifted the U1 plate to his friend Arthur Currer Briggs when he was elected Lord Mayor of Leeds in 1903, and the plate has been used by subsequent Lord Mayors ever since.
• Rowland Winn himself served as Lord Mayor of Leeds in 1938-39 and was later awarded the Freedom of the City in 1956 for his contributions to Leeds.

Council comments

Councillor Debra Coupar, Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council and Executive Member for Resources, commented on the sale:

“This sale will generate crucial funds to help deliver important services against the backdrop of a uniquely challenging financial situation. Protecting those services has to be our priority and we are pleased this process has given us the opportunity to raise such a significant sum. I am also pleased that the Lord Mayor’s car will still be recognisable through the unique number plate L6EDS as they carry out their duties across the city and beyond.”

The council has confirmed that the funds raised from the sale will be reinvested into the council budget to support vital services for the local community.