Bernard Ginns: Railway station gives a poor first impression of the city

It wasn't a pretty place. Now, the steel city has probably the most attractive station in Yorkshire. And it's not just the station itself that is a pleasure to behold. Outside, there is Sheaf Square, a stunning streetscape featuring an imaginative water cascade, some colourful night lighting and a striking steel sculpture.

Together, the station and the square create a brilliant impression on arrival. Even as a frequent visitor, it always puts me in a good mood when I step off the train. Well worth the 50m investment.

Now, here comes the contrast. Look at the state of Leeds city station. It's dirty, grey and depressing. Take the entrance hall. See the big banner advertising cheap alcohol. What must people think of the city when they first visit? The north concourse that leads down to Wellington Street is not much better. A fine example of art deco architecture, it is now home to bland, any-town chain outlets and predictably empty units.

Those who do business in the city know that it is one of the best places to be in the UK. But the station doesn't do it any favours. You could have said the same about the airport a few years ago, but the owners are getting their act together and investing in making it a better place.

Leeds is one of the few cities in England that can boast of nearly 1bn in private sector investment in retail and leisure attractions. That's coming from two major retail schemes at Trinity Leeds and Eastgate Quarters and the Leeds Arena for pop concerts. There's a lot of private sector money coming into the city with the confident expectation of getting a good return.

The city will go through some big, exciting changes over the next decade, which I am certain will make it an even better place to live and work. But there are improvements that must be made first. The station is the obvious priority.

I've mentioned the poor impression the station creates in recent columns and have reported how the council chief executive Tom Riordan and the CEO of Welcome to Yorkshire Gary Verity believe it should be improved.

Mr Riordan said: "The way that we dress the station, the way that we light it, the sort of messaging we give when people come in to the city is vitally important and something that Network Rail and Northern Rail could do something about quite quickly."

Mr Verity added: "Gateways to any city or county leave a lasting first impression on people arriving, positive and negative.

"In the 21st century, Leeds deserves to have a station it can be truly proud of."

This week, I add another name to the list of big hitters calling for improvement. Gerald Jennings is portfolio director at Land Securities, Britain's biggest landlord, and the man overseeing the 350m Trinity Leeds scheme.

He told me: "Leeds city station is a huge part of what Leeds needs to look like in the years ahead. We aspire to be a top four or five city in the UK. Do we have a railway station which puts us in that category? I don't think we do at this stage."

One problem, he said, is the size of the station, which although has 17 platforms is still not big enough. He offered an example. A train comes in early from London, but has to sit outside for 10 minutes waiting for a platform to clear.

That's the initial arrival. It doesn't get better thereonin.

He added: "When you are through the barriers, how does it look and feel to you? You don't feel as if you have arrived somewhere."

An estimated 55,000 people arrive at the station every day, many of whom are commuters so don't look around with fresh eyes at the halls. New visitors to the city though look around and "feel slightly disappointed", said Mr Jennings.

"Out of the concourse, you face the taxi rank. You haven't got a clue where to go if you don't know Leeds. It's quite confusing for you. That's the arrival. If you are leaving the city, you feel the same in reverse. How is Leeds saying goodbye to you?"

Mr Jennings told me that all those with a stake in Leeds and the wider city region should make the station a key priority for improvement. "Of all the key projects this city has to deliver, that's one of them. If I was mayor, I would say 'I want you all in one room' and then spend two, three, four hours thrashing this out," he said.

It's not just down to Network Rail and Northern Rail, although they have the biggest responsibility for the passenger experience. Everybody with an interest in the city has a duty to lobby for investment.

May I suggest that Neil McLean, chairman of the new local enterprise partnership for the Leeds city region, adds this to his to-do list.