Green light for Leeds European Capital of Culture 2023 bid

Leeds is now a strong contender to become the European Capital of Culture by 2023.

After year-long discussions of overwhelming support on whether the Yorkshire city should push forward for the prestigious title, senior councillors finally gave the go-ahead at a meeting of the council’s executive board earlier this week.

Leed’s City Council executive board have given the approval to begin work on the first part of the proposed bid that must be submitted by December 2016, which will highlight the city’s artistic and cultural elements.

A final bid must be submitted by December 2017, and the ultimate decision is expected to be made in 2018.

During a 14-month-long consultation, local communities, children and young people, flagship cultural organisations and the city’s independent arts sector, were all asked for their views on a potential bid and how this could potentially be a positively impact the area.

The majority of responses were fully supportive of the bid. The report showed that 77% of 3,000 residents consulted as part of Leeds City Council’s ‘Annual Citizens Culture Survey’ stating they would support a bid and 94% of those who filled out a ‘Breeze Online Survey’ of children and young people also offering their support.

Since discussions began about bidding for the European Capital of Culture during a public meeting attended by 300 people 14 months ago, support has continually grew and a number of residents, city based groups, businesses, education establishments and other partners have already being in touch with the council to voice their backing of the bid.

Councillor Keith Wakefield, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “The Tour de France last year showed what we can achieve as a city when residents, communities, groups, organisations and partners all come together to play a massive part in a real once in a generation opportunity and event, and I am confident that this can be replicated through our 2023 European Capital of Culture bid.

“If it is to be successful, I believe it is absolutely vital that the bid comes right from the heart and fabric of the city and it must be both transformational and long lasting in its impact for all of our residents and communities. This is both a massive challenge and opportunity, and we are looking forward as a council to playing our part in making these ambitions a reality in a true one Leeds, one vision bid.”