Wakefield’s plan to redefine its city centre and attract inward investment has been set out at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF).
Wakefield Council announced that they will be appointing a Strategic Regeneration Partner to realise the vision and accelerate growth in Wakefield City Centre.
This approach will bring forward mixed use developments for the city, ushering in a new era of development and growth.
Attendees at a UKREiiF panel session heard about new commercial, housing and cultural investment opportunities and how the Council is working with public and private sector partners to ramp up the latest phase of urban regeneration in the city.
“Exciting things are happening in Wakefield. We are taking some bold steps to reimagine our city centre and position ourselves for the future of our economy,” said Cllr Michael Graham, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth.
“By delivering a ground-breaking partnership, and bringing key influential partners together, we can continue to accelerate the pace of regeneration across our city centre.
“There are countless opportunities for investors, stakeholders and our community to come with us on this journey. We’re on the lookout for strategic partners who can help us innovate to unleash the full potential of our city.”
The UKREiiF panel also featured Clare Elliott, the Council’s Service Director for Economic Growth and Skills, and Paul Sargent, CEO of Queensberry Real Estate.
The Council’s plans include expanding as a centre for the creative industries, regenerating historic buildings in the city, building on award-winning work at Rutland Mills in the city centre, and improving the urban environment with major projects in Cathedral Square, Wakefield Exchange, and a new hotel near Westgate train station.
Complementing that ambition, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Homes England have Wakefield City Centre as an area of focus in the West Yorkshire Strategic Place Partnership. They are working with the Council on plans for a wider Strategic Regeneration Partnership in the city.
