Article
LeedsBID Gains National Recognition in Government’s Pride in Place Strategy
Simon Fogal
Leeds is officially on the Monopoly board of government policy. The city and Leeds Business Improvement District (LeedsBID) have been recognised in the UK Government’s brand-new Pride in Place strategy (Sept 2025) as a shining example of how Business Improvement Districts can breathe new life into our high streets.
The recognition comes off the back of one of LeedsBID’s biggest-ever projects: MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover. In summer 2024, the city centre was transformed into a giant, immersive game experience in partnership with Hasbro – the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
Over five weeks, more than half a million people explored 22 city centre locations, solving puzzles, cracking mini-games, and discovering Leeds’ own Monopoly heritage – courtesy of Waddingtons, the Leeds-based company that first brought the board game to UK audiences back in 1935.
The numbers spoke volumes: footfall increased by up to 10%, city businesses enjoyed a £6.6 million boost, and 90% of visitors said the event made Leeds city centre a more attractive place to visit.
Alongside the main trail, LeedsBID partnered with organisations across the city to create a full programme of activities. From a blue plaque unveiling to celebrate Waddingtons’ heritage, to workshops with the Bank of England, a mini-documentary celebrating Waddingtons Games and a special exhibition at Leeds City Museum.
But more than a quirky summer success, MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover was a powerful example of place shaping – bringing people together, supporting businesses, and giving the city centre a buzz that simply can’t be found online.
The Government clearly agrees. In its Pride in Place strategy, LeedsBID’s work was highlighted as the kind of innovative, high-impact project that other towns and cities across the country should be learning from.
“I was personally delighted to see the city of Leeds and the achievement of our Business Improvement District acknowledged in the Government’s Pride in Place Strategy,” said Andrew Cooper, Chief Executive of LeedsBID.
Since its creation in 2015, LeedsBID has become a driving force for creativity, culture, and collaboration in the city centre. From animatronic dinosaurs roaming Briggate to Wonderland Awaits – an Alice in Wonderland-inspired trail coming in summer 2025 – LeedsBID’s projects have consistently delivered big results for businesses, while making Leeds an exciting, welcoming place to live, work, and visit.
The strategy also sets out plans to update BID legislation, ensuring property owners outside London have a stronger role in shaping local priorities, while making BIDs more transparent, accountable, and future-focused. Cooper, who has worked in the BID sector for 22 years, welcomed the changes:
“Business Improvement Districts are created by the places they serve and should be at the forefront of this strategy as non-political and not-for-profit organisations whose primary objective is to achieve improvement.”
With another Hasbro installation already planned for summer 2026, LeedsBID shows no signs of slowing down. Thanks to national recognition, Leeds is firmly on the map as a city that knows how to play the game.
