As part of the ‘Northern Powerhouse’, the city of Leeds is a major player in the UK economy. The city is going through a phase of monumental development, from the relocation of Channel 4 to the rejuvenation of its railway station.
If you’re looking for a property investment in Leeds, there’s no better time to make the most of these opportunities.
Scale
As part of England’s largest county, it’s no wonder that Leeds is the third largest city in the UK. With a population almost topping 800,000, the city beats Manchester and Sheffield, bringing with it a diverse range of potential buyers. From students to retirees, young professionals and families, there’s a huge market for property investment in Leeds.
Connectivity
With the recent £161m railway investment project, Leeds is easily accessible from some of the UK’s best-known cities. Manchester and Sheffield can be reached in 50 minutes or less, while Birmingham and London are just two hours away on the city’s range of rail networks.
Coming from further afield? Four million passengers pass through Leeds Bradford Airport each year, with connections to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dublin, Rome, Paris and many more.
Economic activity
As a key player in the government’s ‘Northern Powerhouse’, Leeds is the largest regional economy outside of London. This comprises a growing workforce of more than 1.4 million people, a bustling educational sector and a hub of professional services. With huge opportunities for employment, the city is ideal for up-and-coming buyers.
New investment projects
As the leading property investment company in Leeds, we’re particularly proud of our contributions to the new South Bank regeneration project, offering 8,000 homes and 35,000 new jobs. On top of this, the city will soon play host to Leeds Bradford Airport’s ‘Road to 2030’ Strategic Development Plan, creating more than 12,000 new jobs.
Leeds Station has had a new platform added, while plans for a £26m new station project, connecting the White Rose Shopping Centre, are well underway.
Student population
One guaranteed source of income for property investment in Leeds is its huge student population. The city has the largest number of students outside of London, with 39,000 graduates contributing to the economy each year.
The University of Leeds also welcomes 9,000 international students each year – offering more rental opportunities for shrewd investors. Leeds Beckett, Leeds Conservatoire and Leeds Trinity all welcome new tenants from around the country and indeed, the world.
Leisure and tourism
Those looking to move up and out of London will be delighted at the number of tourist attractions in Leeds. Its bustling retail sector is home to the White Rose Centre, as well as shopping meccas including Leeds Trinity, Kirkgate Market and the Corn Exchange.
The First Direct arena regularly welcomes sell-out tours from world-renowned artists, and the city is teeming with theatres and festivals. Those looking for a little history will enjoy the Royal Armouries Museum or Leeds Art Gallery, while the National Science and Media Museum is just half an hour away.
Job opportunities
Leeds welcomes some of the world’s best-known tech and finance brands. With big names such as Capital One, Experian and Lloyds, as well as Sky and Channel 4, the city is the perfect place to carve out a career. Leeds is a forward-thinking city with huge investment in tech, and also has a thriving agency sector, ideal for graduates.
Leeds is also known for its contribution to manufacturing and healthcare, with its industrial heritage and its more modern development, NHS Digital.
Huge profits for property investors
Last but by no means least, Leeds offers huge profits for property developers. At present, the city is the third most profitable in the UK for investors. As the top city for developers in the North, Leeds offers an average monthly profit of more than £400.
From the ever-changing student population to young professionals and affluent families, Leeds offers a prosperous investment for growing portfolios. Investment in the city is only going to grow, so developers should start making plans while demand for property is so high.
Get the best advice from a trusted property investment company in Leeds
At Citylife, we recognise the opportunities available to property investors in Leeds. We’ll talk you through your options whether you’re a first-timer or looking to build up your portfolio. We’re currently proud to showcase our newest developments in the South Bank area, ideal for investors.
For an expert consultation with one of our trusted advisors, contact Citylife today.
