The countdown is on! 100 days until Leeds submits European Capital of Culture bid
Organisers Leeds’ 2023 bid team is today calling on the people of Leeds to support its European Capital of Culture bid by pledging their support online.
The #MakeLeeds2023 campaign – launched to mark the 100 day countdown to the city’s bid submission - is asking residents, businesses and communities in Leeds to back the bid by making an online pledge to actively spread the word.
People are being urged pledge their support by visiting Leeds’ bid website - www.leeds2023.co.uk - and by using the hashtag #MakeLeeds2023 on social media.
A large programme of events will be designed to generate further momentum ahead of the submission of Leeds’s official bid on October 27.
A win could see a major multi-million pound boost to the economy through things like tourism and development.
Sharon Watson, Chair of the Leeds 2023 Independent Steering Group said: “We’re delighted to launch the #MakeLeeds2023 campaign. Our European Capital of Culture bid presents a huge opportunity for Leeds to highlight and shout about its diverse population and reposition Leeds’ image in the UK and Europe.
“We want to ensure our bid is firmly focused on the people of Leeds as our bid is for them. As such, it’s important that we use the bid as a platform to bring people from across the breadth of our city and backgrounds together, promoting well-being and pride in our city.
“With the current population representing 140 ethnic groups and 170 languages, we firmly believe that a successful bid will create a lasting legacy, not only by implementing positive change by bringing these communities together and celebrating our diversity but also by attracting national and international funding and events to the city, providing a step change in tourism and a catalyst for growth and development.
“There are numerous events coming up to help rally support for the bid and we hope people get involved and submit their online pledges.”
To mark the launch of #makeLeeds2023 more than 100 people from Leeds’ community came together at regional landmark and heritage building, The Tetley, to show their support 100 days before the final bid submission. The Tetley is at the heart of the South Bank, Europe's largest regeneration project, which will double the size of the city centre and create a new city centre park just in time for the city to host the title of European Capital of Culture, should it be successful