Leeds Marks 400 Years Since First Royal Charter

City prepares for 400th anniversary celebrations in 2026

Leeds is set to mark the 400th anniversary of its first Royal Charter, granted by King Charles I on 13 July 1626. The milestone year has prompted preparations for a series of events and initiatives aimed at celebrating the city’s history and future development.

Plans for 400th anniversary celebrations

Local organisations, including Leeds Business Improvement District (LeedsBID), have been collaborating with partners across the city to organise commemorative activities during the summer of 2026. Details of the planned celebrations have been referenced in the UK Government’s Pride in Place Strategy, which highlights Leeds as a key location for place-based investment and development.

Ongoing city centre initiatives

LeedsBID has continued to focus on enhancing the city centre environment as part of its business plan priorities, particularly through its ‘Welcoming City’ programme. Recent developments include:

• Expansion of the Street Rangers Team responsible for street cleaning and maintenance, supported by new equipment to manage the demands of a growing city.
• Ongoing management of the Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BACIL), which works with local businesses, police, and statutory agencies to reduce crime and improve safety in the retail and leisure sectors.

Over the busy Christmas period, the BACIL team provided support to businesses in preventing crime and maintaining a safe city centre environment.

Training opportunities for local businesses

LeedsBID also offers a range of free training courses for levy-paying businesses in the city centre. These courses are updated quarterly to meet evolving needs and support business development.

Further information about training opportunities and city centre initiatives can be found on the LeedsBID website.