Mass gatherings space launched in Leeds for post-Covid events

The 10,000 square foot blank canvas space will host all kinds of events, such as conferences, comedy, sporting events, art and music.

The Wunderkind Group’s new venture, testbed, will allow organisers to begin hosting these events again safely.

James Abbott-Donnelly and Laura Wellington, founders of the Butterley Street event space, are looking to have consultations with stakeholders in the city’s events community to hear how a covid-safe space would work best for the city.

Co-founder James said: “Even when it’s been possible to put events on this year, capacity has been a huge problem.

“Venues that normally hold 400 people are reduced to hosting 40, and it just doesn’t work financially.

“Add to that the fact that Leeds has a real lack of large spaces that could accommodate bigger groups while maintaining social distancing and the city’s had a real problem.

“Fortunately, with testbed we’ve got the chance to create a solution.”

The Wunderkind Group are also the organisation behind Sheaf Street, Duke Studios, Duke Makes and In Good Company in Leeds.

The socially-distanced events at testbed, near Crown Point Retail Park, will begin early in 2021 with a research and development phase that will lead to a complete fit-out later in the year.

Laura, co-founder, said: “Space is a big part of it, but while that breathing room might keep people safe, it doesn’t necessarily create the best experience.

“With testbed we’ve got a blank canvas to design events in a way that’s pandemic-proof.

“We’re really focused on designing a space with the flexibility to cope with the unexpected, but also to provide an amazing home for Leeds’s larger cultural events and conferences regardless of whether ‘normal’ has been turned on its head.

“We are really excited to be able to shape this space with and for the city.”

Covid restrictions have meant the events industry has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic.

Interested events organisers can get in contact with testbed here.