UKREiiF conference at Royal Armouries brings 'incredible' £20.9m economic boost to Leeds
A major event that took place in Leeds earlier this year has boosted the city’s economy by nearly £21m.
The annual UKREiiF (UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum) event was hosted at the Royal Armouries Museum in May this year.
Formed in 2022, UKREiiF has become the UK’s leading platform in the regeneration, development and property sectors.
With more than 13,000 people in attendance this year, the event was found to have generated £20.9m for the local economy, in an independent report produced by ARUP.
Nathan Spencer, director of UKREiiF, said: “We’ve always wanted UKREiiF to be more than just an event – year round we’re looking at ways UKREiiF can benefit the local community in West Yorkshire, and part of our marketing activity before the event was looking at much more than just growing the attendance in terms of numbers, we were reviewing how to get people spending more time in the region, and how we can get them to return more frequently.
“We’re delighted to continue our work with ARUP to showcase the truly incredible results UKREiiF is having on the local economy, and we look forward to hosting the event in the city once more in 2025.”
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The report also found that 41 per cent of attendees stayed for two nights in the city region, which was three per cent increase from 2023.
Further, 25 per cent of delegates stayed for three nights in the city region, a boost from 22% the year before.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “Thousands of business and political leaders have flocked to West Yorkshire for this event over the past three years – and they’re returning because they recognise that our region’s best days lie ahead of us.
“Harnessing the power of devolution, our Local Growth Plan will build on this momentum and give us the transport, skills and housebuilding we need to create strong businesses, well-paid jobs and deliver the government’s growth mission.
“It’s great to see how UKREiiF is supporting growth in our local economy, as we work to build a stronger, brighter region where opportunity thrives.”
Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council, added: “In its first year, coming out of the pandemic, UKREiiF’s impact was £5 million straight away from a standing start, and it’s now close to £21 million – that’s an incredible success story for Leeds, for West Yorkshire and for the UK.”
Since its augural event in 2022, UKREiiF has generated £38.5m for the local economy, with £5.5m in 2022 and £12.1m in 2023.
Residents living in Leeds Dock hit out at the event. They told the Yorkshire Evening Post that the stringent security measures in place for the event had left them feeling unwelcome in their own homes.