YEP Says: Dust ourselves down Leeds and become a cultural success
PERHAPS now is the time to dust ourselves down and get on with making Leeds a cultural destination.
It is a shame that the city’s 2023 European Capital of Culture bid has failed. A meeting yesterday was told by chief executive Tom Riordan that it was a casualty of Brexit negotiations.
And the cost to the council was £150,000 with the bill rising to £650,000 with private sector and education costs included.
We are told that it is ‘unlikely’ we can salvage the bid. There will not be a change of heart.
But Mr Riordan said there were some exciting ideas from philanthropists and the private sector coming forward following the work on the 2023 bid, which he now hoped would bring “real tangible benefits” over the next two years.
Of course, there was always the possibility that Leeds would fail in its bid, even if it was allowed to enter.
What we must do is simply do what we have always done in Leeds in such times.
Simply get on with it.
Leeds can be a cultural capital without European assistance.
We still have lots to offer visitors in terms of art, food, shopping and sport.
Why can’t we stage our own Year of 2023 and show Europe why Leeds is such a world-class attraction?