Research unveils unwavering confidence amongst Leeds business community

New research has revealed 97% of Leeds business people believe the city is a thriving place to do business, with 84% claiming it has improved over the last 12 months.

Respondents were also more than satisfied about business growth, with 77% expecting to see turnover increase in businesses they own and work for over the next year.

Many respondents also expect to see an employee headcount to increase too, with 38% stating employee numbers, as well as turnover, will go up.

The research has been conducted by The Yorkshire Mafia ahead of Leeds Business Week, which will take place from 12-16 October, and involved surveying 235 business people who work in and own businesses in Leeds.

The major projects within the city centre, including the development of Victoria Gate, the regeneration of Kirkgate and development on Wellington Street, is seen as a positive step for the city by 83% of respondents.

The business community in Leeds also see devolution as an important issue, with opinion about it being divided.

Almost a third (32%) believe devolution would empower the city and allow it to compete with other cities on a more even playing field, with another 18% stating it would be a positive move for the city. A further 15% of respondents also think devolution would enable city-wide decisions to be made more quickly and 7% say it would make doing business in Leeds easier.

However, one in five (20%) don’t think it will make any difference, and 8% believe it could actually have a negative impact on Leeds.

When asked what the business community want to see more of in Leeds in 2016, 35% of respondents said improved transport links. An additional 17% want to see reduced business rates, 14% want more access to funding and support, and 13% would like to see businesses being given more involvement in the economic strategies decided by local government.

The people of Leeds also see a lack of green spaces in the city as a hot topic, with 36% saying more are needed. More collaborative working spaces are also a key requirement for many, with 29% of respondents wanting to see more. A further 12% want to see more residential developments and nine per cent want more commercial developments to be built.

Becky Black, director of the Yorkshire Mafia, said: “The focus of this year’s Leeds Business Week is growth, and the survey results clearly demonstrate that our business community is overwhelmingly optimistic and ambitious when it comes to forging ahead in 2016. Leeds Business Week will give us a forum to discuss how to make this a reality.

“It’s also interesting to discover Leeds business people’s split opinions on devolution, a topic that’s bound to gain momentum over the next 12 months.”

This year will see Leeds Business Week return for its third year, and will comprise over 100 business-focused events taking place across the city from 12-16 October.

The series of business-focused events is managed by business networking group, The Yorkshire Mafia, and aims to bring together the city’s businesses to meet, share and connect.