Leeds Hosts High Streets UK Summit to Discuss Regeneration

City brings together BID leaders and stakeholders to address high street challenges

Leeds recently hosted a special forum aimed at addressing key issues facing UK high streets and exploring opportunities for local and national growth. The event, organised by High Streets UK, brought together senior Business Improvement District (BID) leaders, investors, and local partners from across the country.

High Streets UK Quarterly Forum Held in Leeds

High Streets UK, a nationwide partnership of BIDs, selected Leeds as the venue for its fourth quarterly forum. The organisation acts as a collective voice for flagship destinations, focusing on practical, evidence-based solutions informed by the experiences of businesses and communities.

The forum took place at Hyatt Place Leeds and was hosted by LeedsBID, a founding member of High Streets UK. Discussions centred on the conditions necessary to stimulate investment and regeneration on high streets, emphasising the need for coordinated decision-making across local, regional, and national levels as cities plan for the future.

Participants and Discussion Topics

Representatives from several UK cities, including Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London, Cardiff, Newcastle, and Birmingham, joined LeedsBID in the discussions. Key topics included:

• The visitor economy and its impact on high streets
• Challenges posed by policy and cost pressures affecting delivery
• The interaction between business rates, the Overnight Visitor Levy, and long-term investment decisions

The forum also featured input from Leeds-based organisations and individuals, such as Farkhanda Hussain-Butt, Business Board Member at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and Ed Whiting, Chief Executive of Leeds City Council. Investor and cultural perspectives were provided by representatives from Land Securities, Pinsent Masons, and the Royal Armouries Museum.

Next Steps

The outcomes of the Leeds forum will inform High Streets UK’s ongoing engagement with local authorities, combined authorities, and national government throughout the year. The aim is to develop strategies that support the regeneration and sustainable growth of high streets across the UK.