How to improve Leeds as a Tourist destination

[Super Leads]

I know that people always say that Leeds always under sells itself and often it seems that Leeds isn't on the tourist trail for most visitors to the UK. Having been to loads of place over the world and seen how they promote their citys and heritage my thoughts have turned to Leeds. I've spent a lot of time in America and the have so little history yet seem to promote it so much better than us....

I wondered what could Leeds do better? What could we shout out about? Who are our famous sons? What important decisions have happened in Leeds that have shaped something in the world today?

[di Livio]

Come to Leeds! See our on-street begging! Come face-to-face with people who have no pride or shame and no knowledge of themselves! Receive a load of abuse as you pass a random doorway or walk down a main street! Enjoy being assaulted by chuggers and gag mag sellers! Experience a refreshing cafe latte as someone sitting close by you shouts into a cellphone with no regard for you or anyone else! Marvel at the Knightsbridge of the North, with its endless pawnbrokers, betting shops and amusement arcades!

[di Livio]

P.S. I will take this thread seriously tomorrow when I'm less tired.

[Aaronj09]

Originally Posted by di Livio

Come to Leeds! See our on-street begging! Come face-to-face with people who have no pride or shame and no knowledge of themselves! Receive a load of abuse as you pass a random doorway or walk down a main street! Enjoy being assaulted by chuggers and gag mag sellers! Experience a refreshing cafe latte as someone sitting close by you shouts into a cellphone with no regard for you or anyone else! Marvel at the Knightsbridge of the North, with its endless pawnbrokers, betting shops and amusement arcades!

Are you describing Leeds or London?

[Aaronj09]

Originally Posted by Super Leads

I know that people always say that Leeds always under sells itself and often it seems that Leeds isn't on the tourist trail for most visitors to the UK. Having been to loads of place over the world and seen how they promote their citys and heritage my thoughts have turned to Leeds. I've spent a lot of time in America and the have so little history yet seem to promote it so much better than us....

I wondered what could Leeds do better? What could we shout out about? Who are our famous sons? What important decisions have happened in Leeds that have shaped something in the world today?

American cities are bigger and have more to shout about then Leeds despite little history. New York has far less history then Leeds but that's hardly important.

One thing Leeds doesn't shout about that it really should is the creation of moving film. It was by a Frenchman, sure, but it happened in Leeds, and I think we should shout about that more.

[Leedsfella]

Originally Posted by Aaronj09

One thing Leeds doesn't shout about that it really should is the creation of moving film. It was by a Frenchman, sure, but it happened in Leeds, and I think we should shout about that more.

I agree with this. But other then saying ''this is the place where the first moving film took place'' and showing a clip of it, what else is there left to say ?

You can visit the bridge, look around for a minute and thats that tbh.

Leeds could benefit from a good tourist map, locating all places with any sort of interesting history.

[Aaronj09]

Well that's only one suggestion, there are plenty of other things in Leeds that we don't shout about that we should, but that's one that sprung to mind and a good example of how we're not very good at promoting ourselves.

[rhinomatt]

"Leeds - Birthplace of Film." We should pump serious money into the Leeds Film festivals, and have a walk of fame. (Also pump money into the theatres)

We also NEED a large conference venue to bring business and political decision makers into the city. (Southbank)

Build the Brick Man near Clarence Dock.

Better transport networks across Leeds and give parts of Leeds more identity (get visitors to visit Headingley Stadium ect...)

Just some ideas...

[Leedsfella]

Thats all great, but do we really have the money to do all of that ?

[John Robinson]

What about the architecture, much of which is of international interest?

Within the city boundaries is a diverse range of styles dating from the thousand year old Kirkstall abbey (how many cities feature a mediaeval abbey ruin?) to the iconic 1960s Leeds University Roger Stevens building (and others) made famous by A Clockwork Orange; from Leeds Town Hall which, because of its imposing appearance, used to feature on TV news whenever they talked about local councils (incorrectly, of course) to Adel Church with its Norman archway.

That's just scraping the surface, of course.

[Leeds No.1]

I agree that we need to sell our USPs more, such as film. We should have been applying for City of Film when it was going- and there should be a projection of the first moving images somewhere near Leeds Bridge. A visitor centre wouldn't go amiss. Of course the money isn't there for this, but we need to encourage private enterprise to recognise these opportunities and step up. City tourism is attracted by glitz and glamour, and that's what Leeds needs more of.

As for architecture- I think a lot of it is about making public spaces that draw attention to the architecture we have. On its busiest side, The Corn Exchange is surrounded by messy roads and bus stops. I'm keen to stress 'messy' because I'm not necessarily saying we need all-out pedestrianisation. Roads just need to be designed to not be a barrier, and to add to the streetscape.

You should be able to come off Boar Lane, Central Road or Kirkgate and see the Corn Exchange clearly with their eye drawn towards it. The market should be the same.

While I mentioned that about roads, I'd also point out this would be an excellent place for a new public space if practical issues with buses could be resolved.

There are lots of key junctions and 'knots' in the city fabric where there are key buildings that should have attention drawn to them. Some cities do this excellently- the Arc de Triomph in Paris is a prime example, or Times Square in NYC. We've achieved this in Leeds with City Square, turned from a roundabout into a focal point - but there are lots more opportunities for this to happen in other areas like at the Corn Exchange.

Making the best use of our existing landmarks will raise their profile and thus get in more visitors.

[Leodis Loiner]

Originally Posted by Super Leads

What important decisions have happened in Leeds that have shaped something in the world today?

[Suburban Knight]

Build that giant golden owl statue!

[larven]

Originally Posted by Leeds No.1

As for architecture- I think a lot of it is about making public spaces that draw attention to the architecture we have. On its busiest side, The Corn Exchange is surrounded by messy roads and bus stops. I'm keen to stress 'messy' because I'm not necessarily saying we need all-out pedestrianisation. Roads just need to be designed to not be a barrier, and to add to the streetscape.

Completely agree Leeds No 1.

I find the public realm in Leeds to be poor for a city of its size, importance and attraction. It tends to be overwhelmingly car dominated, distinctly pedestrian 'unfriendly' in places and littered with street clutter. I walked up to the university the other day and the area where they have filled in the subways around the Merrion Centre is one of the worst urban blights I have encountered in the UK.

Leeds has so many things going for it and the public realm needs to step up to the mark to match and enhance the ambition of the city.

[SmartCity]

Good choice of words Leeds No1. Many parts of Leeds are just that, "messy". One of my biggest gripes about Leeds (as with many places) is the amount of chewing gum on the pavements. I know this is partly down to educating people to use bins but other cities especially else where in the world seem much cleaner than here in the UK. Over the years Leeds has had millions spent on fancy new paved areas but within a short time they start to look messy and uninviting. Look at Briggate these days, yet it's not long since they resurfaced the entire area.

[Aaronj09]

Originally Posted by larven

Completely agree Leeds No 1.

I find the public realm in Leeds to be poor for a city of its size, importance and attraction. It tends to be overwhelmingly car dominated, distinctly pedestrian 'unfriendly' in places and littered with street clutter. I walked up to the university the other day and the area where they have filled in the subways around the Merrion Centre is one of the worst urban blights I have encountered in the UK.

Leeds has so many things going for it and the public realm needs to step up to the mark to match and enhance the ambition of the city.

I agree. The Headrow is another example of poor urban realm, though Eastgate will help.

Originally Posted by SmartCity

Good choice of words Leeds No1. Many parts of Leeds are just that, "messy". One of my biggest gripes about Leeds (as with many places) is the amount of chewing gum on the pavements. I know this is partly down to educating people to use bins but other cities especially else where in the world seem much cleaner than here in the UK. Over the years Leeds has had millions spent on fancy new paved areas but within a short time they start to look messy and uninviting. Look at Briggate these days, yet it's not long since they resurfaced the entire area.

People will always litter. People will always throw chewing gum on the ground. Briggate needs regular cleaning, that's all.

[di Livio]

Originally Posted by larven

Leeds has so many things going for it and the public realm needs to step up to the mark to match and enhance the ambition of the city.

The public realm on Briggate, Albion Place and Lands Lane is generally pretty good though. The pedestrianisation in the central spaces of Leeds is probably one of its biggest strengths.

[larven]

City square is probably the nicest public realm in Leeds centre, the quality of materials, the landscaping, the features and items of interest such as the fountains are all of a high standard.

Leeds could do with a few more places that exude this sort of quality, especially the whole area around the Corn Exchange.

[Lad 2011]

Originally Posted by larven

City square is probably the nicest public realm in Leeds centre, the quality of materials, the landscaping, the features and items of interest such as the fountains are all of a high standard.

Leeds could do with a few more places that exude this sort of quality, especially the whole area around the Corn Exchange.

cough* millenium square...

[this_city]

Originally Posted by larven

City square is probably the nicest public realm in Leeds centre, the quality of materials, the landscaping, the features and items of interest such as the fountains are all of a high standard.

Leeds could do with a few more places that exude this sort of quality, especially the whole area around the Corn Exchange.

but then if you're coming into Leeds by train you're immediately confronted by several busy roads as barriers... the main square is effectively an island in traffic at times