Business leaders urged to invest in Leeds' bid for European Capital of Culture 2023

Businesses in the region are being called on to show their support for Leeds’ bid to be named European Capital of Culture 2023.

On Wednesday (March 8th), Northern Ballet an event which will see more than a hundred of the city’s business leaders get involved in backing the bid.

Businesses will be shown how they can support the bid through sponsorship, help forge new links between the arts and business communities and build on several cultural projects happening throughout Leeds.

Sharon Watson, artistic director with Phoenix Dance Theatre, chair of the Leeds 2023 Independent Steering Group and Yorkshire Woman of the Year 2016, will be lead proceedings on the night.

Karen Sewell, solicitor with WSP Parsons Brinkerhoff and business spokeswoman for the independent steering group, said: “Every business in Leeds has a reason to support the growth and promotion of the city’s cultural sector.

“By enhancing the city’s cultural offering, the bid for European Capital of Culture will attract skilled workers and the best graduates to make their home in Leeds, as well as attracting national and international visitors to the city.”

Sharon and Karen will be joined by Tom Riordan, Leeds City Council’s chief executive, along with representatives from businesses including Land Securities, Hammersons and The Heritage Lottery Fund.

Also attending will be confirmed sponsors and those who have already backed the bid including Leeds Business Improvement District (BID), The University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Visit Leeds, Welcome to Yorkshire and West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

Sharon commented: “For our bid to be the success we know it will be, it will take the collective effort of not just the arts community, but the whole city- and local businesses will play a key role in that.

“Sponsoring Leeds 2023 will not just be an investment in the bid, but an investment in the future of Leeds and a powerful statement of intent about our ambition to be a city where culture and business work in tandem to enhance and diversify our local economy.”

LeedsBID’s chief executive Andrew Cooper, added: “LeedsBID is backing the city’s 2023 bid to be European Capital of Culture, providing practical support along with financial investment.

“As a Business Improvement District working across Leeds city centre, we recognise the importance of all sectors of the community coming together for the benefit of the city and would encourage people to get involved in this momentous opportunity.”

The event comes after Leeds officially called on communities, organisations and individuals from across the city to submit their ideas for the 2023 bid.

Leeds is competing with Belfast, Cornwall, Dundee, Nottingham and Milton Keynes for the title.

A final decision will be made in 2018.