Helping Leeds Reinvigorate Stalled Developments
Associate, Colin Briggs talks about how to reinvigorate stalled developments in Leeds city centre to ensure its legacy as a retail destination.
Anyone living, working or visiting Leeds over the past few years has witnessed the impact of major retail developments like Trinity and Victoria Gate. Bowman Riley has been working as retail architects for the past 50 years with projects currently underway at Trinity and the White Rose Centre.
Despite ongoing projects, the future of high street shopping remains uncertain and the promise of future developments hangs in the balance.
Consumer spending in the retail sector is rising year on year, however, studies show that money is spent online and the face of the high street must adapt to embrace that change. Leeds’ ability to adapt and change is remarkable and this has kept me (a native Southerner) living and working here since leaving Leeds Beckett University in 2005.
A developer approached Leeds City Council for help to improve the performance of their current asset with a view to the viability of a proposed future phase to the scheme. The Council then took the challenge to the Leeds Chamber’s Property Forum.
As an active member of the Property Forum, I work collaboratively with property professionals, the Council and Leeds Business Improvement District (BID) on the Quality Places and Spaces (QPS) group with the common aim of improving the city.
This is a valuable partnership between public and private sector, which has facilitated initiatives such as the temporary closure of Greek Street to vehicles, commentary on the HS2 Station Masterplan and upcoming improvements around the Corn Exchange.
We spotted an opportunity to influence the future of invigorating developments our city by harnessing the talent of the next generation.
Teaming up with Leeds Beckett University BA Architecture students, we have established a year-long programme of tutorials, workshops and presentations looking at areas of our city that could benefit from regeneration or imagination. The focus has been on under-valued and underused areas, stalled developments and existing operations that require a refresh.
I am excited to see what uninhibited, fresh and creative thinking the students will develop over the coming months and look forward to being able to nurture their talent.
These ideas will be presented to the council and property developers to offer a source of debate leading to the instigation of tangible outputs for the benefit of everyone.
To find out more about the project and the work of the QPS group, please contact Colin Briggs. Download Colin’s vCard here.