Trinity Leeds names key director

David Laycock, who has launched and managed retail-led regeneration schemes in Liverpool, Hull and Bury, said that Leeds has the potential to be the best city in the UK.

He said: “I have a passion for the potential of people and places. We need to work together for everyone’s benefit. Leeds has the potential to be the model city from 2013 onwards.”

That is when Land Securities’ £350m retail scheme opens to the public. The £60m Leeds Arena entertainment venue is scheduled to open the same year.

Mr Laycock said the level of investment was “possibly unique in Europe”. Leeds is going through “a quiet revolution”, he claimed.

He said: “The perception of Leeds from the outside a couple of years ago was of quite a fragmented place with different people advancing different agendas. Maybe it’s the changes at the council, but something is going to happen here.”

Mr Laycock, also the new chairman of the Leeds Retail Association, said the shopping centres, big retailers and independents all had a part to play in promoting the city.

He said: “The quality of people here is outstanding. I will try to bring them together and find common ground to get more people into Leeds and bring prosperity to the city.”