City centre living set for a predicted "off the scale" summer boom as Leeds prepares for life after COVID

The publishing of the roadmap back to a sense of normality, which was outlined by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday, has raised the question over economic problems for city centres due to a phased re-opening of sectors and a call to work from home to stay in place until at least June.

However, Mr Johnson said while there will be changes and the acceleration of some trends, there are opportunities for more residential accommodation in town centres and in high streets "which are changing the way they work anyway".

His sentiments have been echoed by industry experts in Leeds who predict an increased demand for property, better quality developments and the city lifestyle again.

A spokesperson told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "The UK is looking unbelievable to the world and it will only get better, the concensus it was the right decision to pull out (of Europe), being world leaders in the vaccine roll-out. That attracts world investment and people want to live here because they feel safe. There will be a lot wanting to move and invest in this country and cities.

"Lending will be shovelled, banks will be giving loans and cards. The third and fourth quarters will be breaking records, it will be off the scale."

From a consumer point of view he said that all age demographics in Leeds have missed the city centre and felt the impact of its closure. While for older residents that might have been a monthly trip out to a restaurant or theatre, the younger end of the city who currently live in the suburbs are likely to re-assess their work/balance,

They said: "Within the younger sector, people who are living in the suburbs choose to work in the city to have city living during the week. They have a job Monday to Friday, shop at lunch-times, stay in after work and socialise and stay local at the weekend. For those who chose a lifestyle to work in the city centre, if they have been told to work remotely, their lifestyle is being dictated by their employer.

"You will find an influx of people making that choice. If they are working from home, at least they have that offer on the doorstep. A lot of people are missing that. Pudsey, Chapel Allerton, Moortown, Horsforth - there is not the same retail, shops, bars - they can't compete with what you get in the city centre. Other things like Uber, Deliveroo, JustEat don't deliver everywhere. In the city centre, everything is available - people have realised how important that is to their life."

Despite the working from home being set to continue for the next few months - it far from spells the end of the need for office space, they added.

"Office space will always be required. Self-development has to be in a working environment. You can't prosper in your career working remotely. You have to have an environment for meetings and networking and you have to have an office space."

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