Retail and hospitality skills centre could be created in Leeds

Members of Leeds City Council’s executive board supported a recommendation for a business planning sustainability study to be carried out.

Subject to the findings of the study, Leeds City Council and LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District) will then work in partnership to develop the scheme later this year.

Leeds currently ranks as the highest destination for retail spend in England outside of London.

Coun Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for employment, skills and opportunity said: “While the retail and hospitality industry in Leeds has and continues to experience some fantastic growth which is obviously great news, we are extremely keen to keep the momentum going and strengthen our base further to ensure that even greater success can be achieved in the future.

“Having spoken to businesses and liaised closely with a variety of partners, we have with LeedsBID, identified a lack of a dedicated centre in the city that can help meet the challenges faced by employers to attain and retain employees and the public being able to access high quality training.”