The city of Leeds has inaugurated a new £20m startup hub, strengthening its position as a premier technology ecosystem.
- Situated in the heart of Leeds, the West Village accommodates 230,000 sq ft of workspace, primarily pre-leased to innovative startups.
- Andrew Cooke of Bruntwood SciTech highlights the importance of providing modern workspaces in fostering business success in Leeds.
- Bruntwood SciTech has also revamped 14 King Street, adding to Leeds’s burgeoning tech landscape.
- Leeds is recognised as the fastest-growing digital economy in the UK, further emphasising its strategic significance.
A substantial investment of £20 million has led to the launch of a new startup hub in Leeds city centre, further cementing the city’s reputation as a burgeoning technology ecosystem. The project, facilitated by Bruntwood SciTech, introduces West Village, a sprawling 230,000 square-foot space dedicated to startups. This development underscores Leeds’ trajectory as a leading hub for digital innovation, with a significant portion of its premises already pre-let to dynamic enterprises.
Andrew Cooke, serving as the Regional Director for Leeds at Bruntwood SciTech, emphasised the critical nature of nurturing an environment conducive to innovation and growth. He stated, “Leeds has built a reputation as a leading technology ecosystem and for good reason, with hundreds of innovative businesses now calling the city home.” Cooke’s insights stress the necessity of forward-thinking workspaces to maintain and build upon Leeds’ tech-driven momentum.
In addition to West Village, Bruntwood SciTech has successfully completed the refurbishment of 14 King Street, a known entity within Leeds’s business district. This refurbished venue promises to further enhance the city’s capacity to host technology-driven businesses. With a satellite campus of Trinity College London, it signifies a fusion of educational prowess and business acumen, vital for fostering a sustainable tech community in Leeds.
The city’s fast-paced growth in the digital sector received recognition when it was named the fastest-growing digital economy in the UK by Lloyds Bank. This accolade highlights Leeds’ evolving role as a pivotal player in the national tech industry, driven by strategic investments and an increasingly skilled workforce.
The launch of the West Village startup hub marks a significant milestone in reinforcing Leeds’ position as a key player in the UK’s digital economy.