For businesses looking to expand or relocate, Leeds is one of the best locations in the UK and Europe (UK Cities Monitor 2008 – Cushman & Wakefield),the city offers a diverse and strong industry base with particular strength in the financial and professional services sector with 114,000 people working in related services in Leeds.
The city’s low cost base – voted the best city for value for money office space (Cushman & Wakefield) – and excellent business infrastructure have attracted international businesses such as HSBC and 02 and over 30 national and international banks.
The city is also a leading centre for manufacturing, digital and new media, healthcare technology and retail, giving businesses located here access to a highly skilled and varied workforce of over two million people. With staff costs some of the lowest and ease of recruiting both rated in the top 3 in the UK(Cushman & Wakefield), businesses have access to a workforce that offers excellent value for money.
This varied skill base is supported by two universities and an extensive range of training facilities, all ensuring that businesses not only have access to the most skilled and dedicated of employees, but also can benefit from industry leading research and development.
Investors can be assured that Leeds is not just an ideal business location, but offers all the modern lifestyle needs to people working here. With excellent shopping, entertainment and renowned cultural attractions ensuring Leeds is one of the country’s favourite cities.
Key facts:
- Leeds is rated in the top 5 best locations for locating headquarters, locating a business, locating back office functions, accessing markets, staff costs, availability of staff, transport links and value for money office space (Cushman & Wakefield)
- Leeds is one of the UK’s fastest growing cities with the second largest employment total outside London
- Its £13bn economy is projected to grow by a third in the next ten years
- As a financial capital of the north and the UK’s third largest manufacturing centre, Leeds is the most diverse of the country’s top 15 employment centres
- In 2005 OMIS research considered Leeds to be ‘Britain’s Best City for Business’
- Leeds is home to nearly 100,000 businesses
- Considerable investment in the city’s property development scheme is currently under construction with an additional £2.4bn proposed
- Leeds is the major employment centre for the region, with a workforce of 457,400
- Over two million people live within a 30-minute drive of Leeds city centre, making it a key employment provider for neighbouring areas
- Leeds Bradford airport provides businesses in the region international connections to over 70 destinations
To find out what Leeds can offer you visit
Locate in Leeds
* UK Cities Monitor 2008 – Cushman & Wakefield