Leeds Innovation District

The Leeds Innovation District comprises the area immediately surrounding the Leeds General Infirmary, and the university campuses and is a natural locus of innovation in the north of the city centre. The Innovation District is a collaborative initiative between Leeds Teaching Hospitals, University of Leeds, Leeds City Council, and Leeds Beckett University to maximise the value of our combined knowledge, physical and civic assets to drive economic growth and social value in Leeds.

The Innovation District is a core part of the strategic economic plan for Leeds and has seen significant development over the last five years. These include £40m investment in the Nexus innovation centre housing a community of innovation driven businesses, £96 investment in the Sir William Henry Bragg Centre for engineering and physical sciences and a new £75m Creative Arts Building. On the completion of Hospitals of the Future, well over £1billion of investment will have been made across the partner organisations. The LGI creates a five-hectare opportunity at the heart of the Innovation District to increase commercial occupation by innovation driven enterprises who wish to collaborate with the partner organisations. The plan is to build on the existing investments, to create new spaces where business, researchers and clinicians can collaborate, and firms can grow, new homes and high-quality mixed-use development. The aim is to attract investment from firms that want access to knowledge and innovation in healthcare and complementary sectors.

Leeds is one of the main drivers of growth of the UK’s Northern Powerhouse. The city experienced the fastest private sector jobs growth of any UK city between 2010-15. It has award winning retail and leisure developments, the busiest transport hub in the North of England, and ambitious plans for future inclusive growth.