Region joins forces to attract global investors

Five councils – Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield – are joining forces under a single exhibition stand 'Leeds City Region: Growing and Going Together' in a bid to attract global investors to West Yorkshire.

The MIPIM exhibition, which runs from March 16 to 19 in the French resort of Cannes, is the world's biggest event for prop-erty investors and developers.

The keynote event for the Leeds City Region will have the theme, 'Powerhouse of the North'. The breakfast event takes place on March 17 at the Palais Stephanie hotel in Cannes.

The Leeds Arena, the redevelopment of Tower Works by Yorkshire Forward and plans for a major mixed-use development at Kirkstall Forge by Commercial Estates Group will be the main focus for Leeds. Bradford will highlight plans for its new City Park and the completion of one of Europe's largest distribution centres for Marks & Spencer at Prologis in Bradford.

Visitors to MIPIM will also hear about plans to redevelop Halifax town centre. The programme ends with Ralph Rimmer, managing director of the Galpharm Stadium, unveiling investment opportunities and plans for the second phase of leisure and retail development at the stadium in Huddersfield.

The main sponsor for the Leeds City Region at MIPIM 2010 is property firm Land Securities, which has been a long-term investor in Leeds.