A state-of-the-art startup hub has been inaugurated in Leeds city center after a £20 million redevelopment by Bruntwood SciTech.
- The West Village offers 230,000 square feet of innovative workspace tailored for startups, encompassing co-working and leased offices.
- Bruntwood SciTech states that 75% of the new workspace has already been pre-leased, highlighting its anticipated popularity.
- Leeds is recognized as the fastest-growing digital economy in the UK, reinforcing its reputation as a burgeoning tech hub.
- The completion of 14 King Street adds to Leeds’s tech infrastructure, catering to a growing community of tech firms.
The launch of a cutting-edge startup hub in Leeds signifies a significant development in the city’s burgeoning technology sector. This initiative by Bruntwood SciTech follows a substantial £20 million renovation, establishing it in the heart of Leeds. The hub, named the West Village, provides a generous 230,000 square feet of workspace designed to accommodate startups. This includes a blend of co-working, serviced, and leased spaces, strategically crafted to foster innovation and collaboration among emerging businesses.
According to Bruntwood SciTech, approximately three-quarters of the West Village’s workspace has been pre-let even before its official opening. This substantial pre-leasing figure underscores the demand and potential popularity of such a facility, especially in a city that is increasingly being recognized for its thriving digital economy. “Leeds has built a reputation as a leading technology ecosystem and for good reason, with hundreds of innovative businesses now calling the city home,” said Andrew Cooke, regional director for Leeds at Bruntwood SciTech.
Leeds has recently been acclaimed as the fastest-growing digital economy within the United Kingdom, an accolade attributed by Lloyds Bank. This recognition further cements its status as an attractive location for tech companies and startups seeking a conducive environment for growth. The establishment of the West Village is timely and aligns with the city’s upward trajectory in digital and technological advancement.
In addition to the West Village, Bruntwood SciTech has also completed the refurbishment of 14 King Street, situated in Leeds’s business district. This location will serve as another hub for startups and features a satellite campus of Trinity College London, thereby enriching the local ecosystem with educational resources. “Having already built a successful ecosystem of tech-led businesses at nearby Platform, we are excited for West Village and 14 King Street to join and build this community, ultimately adding to Leeds’ burgeoning technology status,” Cooke added.
The new startup hub in Leeds is a major step forward in establishing the city as a leader in the UK’s digital economy.
