Thinking of a move to Leeds? The perfect job in the city could be waiting for you. We’ve done a deep dive into why Leeds is an amazing city to not only live in but work in too.
The Creative Resource team spend a great deal of time there – we run School of Thought in the city.
So why do we love it so much?
Leeds is a city that has long valued creatives and the creative industry. Yorkshire in general has always been associated with big industrial firms but now Leeds is an established hub for smaller, innovative companies with a global reach, not to mention big player Channel 4. Only a few years ago, Creative England highlighted Leeds-based companies such as games developers, Laser Dog and Fierce Kaiju, as well as New Substance, a tech-based firm using drones for entertainment events, as champions in the creative sector outside of London.
With well over 47, 000 people employed by 7000 creative industries in Leeds, it’s no wonder that it’s the second largest cluster in the North, proving beyond doubt that life is thriving for creatives outside of London. The brain drains of previous years, caused by so many jobs existing in London, is finally being reversed with talent finding new opportunities in our buzzing northern cities.
The Impact of Channel 4 HQ
Famously, Channel 4 made Leeds the home of its National HQ in 2020, transforming the fire-ravaged former nightclub and student favourite, The Majestic, into an impressive centre of creativity. Located opposite the train station and in the new Westgate development at the heart of the city, the HQ stands proudly: a Northern nerve centre determined to diversify its programming by better reflecting communities outside of London. In 2019, when the channel rapped the building with billboards which shouted the complaint, ‘Didn’t think Channel 4 knew there was life outside the M25’, it was clear to see the channel was ready to welcome a new era in programming while seeking out untapped talent in the region.
Moving 250 creative roles across creative, digital and technology divisions to central Leeds created an exciting catalyst for the city in general, adding to and enhancing an already strong creative scene as well as shining a light on what the future holds for the city’s ever developing and diverse talent pool.
Protecting the Creative Industries in Leeds
West Yorkshire values its cultural and creative industries proudly and so the region was quick in recognising the devastating hit caused by the pandemic. The West Yorkshire Recovery Board issued a highly detailed plan in 2021 on how to save, support and better maximise these industries to drive economic recovery through the re-stimulation of the creative ecology of the region. Quite simply, Covid 19 may have wreaked havoc among creatives more than most – causing 56% of the creative sector to be furloughed and some 50% of professionals losing 100% of their income in early 2020 – but it wouldn’t have the chance to destroy all that had been established.
If anything, Leeds is coming back stronger with music, gaming and production companies, as well as advertising, marketing and cultural festivals pushing forward and seeking out opportunities locally and globally.
So why choose London when you could choose Leeds?
Gone are the days when finding a job was all about upping sticks and heading Dick Whittington style to London to seek your fortune. With creative northern hubs like Leeds growing and evolving, options are wider and more diverse than ever. But why would you want to live in the capital of Yorkshire?
- The diverse cultural scene – City-based art and sculpture galleries, theatre, opera, the Northern Ballet plus a huge O2 Academy and a variety of comedy and live music venues.
- Quality nightlife – Leeds is a university city and has a legendary club scene, including The Warehouse and HiFi Club. There’s something for everyone with cocktail bars, microbreweries, traditional pubs and high-quality independent restaurants throughout the city from Call Lane to the Northern Quarter.
- Shopping – Leeds is home to the modern Trinity Leeds shopping centre housing an Everyman Cinema as well as Apple and Victoria’s Secrets, while the beautiful historical arcades offer designer stores Harvey Nichols and Louis Vuitton amongst others.
- House Prices – Average house prices are 62% lower than London, so taking out a mortgage on a three-bedroom house in a Leeds suburb can come in at half the rental price of a one-bedroom flat in London.
- The Cutting Edge of Innovative Sustainable Living – The development of a new low carbon urban neighbourhood – The Climate Innovation District – sees Leeds as a front runner in harnessing sustainable technologies to forge new city-based communities, promote ethical and environmental building practices while reducing the environmental impact of commuting.