While Leeds became a city in 1848, the extended part of Leeds has maintained city status since 1974. According to the 2001 census report, Leeds as a borough has a population of 7,015,404 while the City of Leeds has a population of 4,043,247. Although the term is rarely used, Leedsians are locally known as Loiners. The origin of Leeds dates back to the year 1086 AD. C., when it was a commercial city that was dedicated mainly to the sale of woolen articles. At that time it had a population of only about a thousand. Gradually, however, the city turned into an industrial city, and as a result, its population began to multiply. Leeds is one of the UK’s largest commercial and financial services centres, with over 30 national and international banks based in the city. The University of Leeds is the number one student destination in the UK. Leeds city center has over a thousand shops and is also among the UK’s top shopping destinations. Leeds is connected to other parts of England by rail and road, while it is connected to major European business and holiday destinations by air via Bradford International Airport. Another destination of interest in the city is the Leeds Arts Gallery. Leeds is also famous for sports activities such as cricket, rugby and football. The city also has a good musical heritage of Jazz and Folk.
The name Leeds may be an origin of the Anglo-Saxon name ‘Leodis’ and dates back to around 1086AD. In the Middle Ages, Leeds was an agricultural market town. But gradually industrialization took hold and the population began to grow, reaching 30,000 by the end of the 18th century. The export business was so strong that about half of English trade was conducted through Leeds. This change of scenery occurred through some milestones such as the Aire & Calder Navigation Act in 1699, the construction of the Canals in Liverpool and Leeds during the year 1816 and, last but not least, the creation of the Railways. of Middleton in 1848.
Several academic institutions made their appearance in the 20th century. These include the University of Leeds, Trinity University College Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan University. Side by side there were also improvements in medical studies at The Leeds General Infirmary and St. James’s Hospital.
Over the years, Leeds has been one of England’s leading industrial cities. However, secondary industries suffered a setback after World War II. Today the largest of Leeds industries manufactures turbine blades, alloys, valves, pipes, printers, engines, radiators, copper alloys and a host of hospital fittings. Today Leeds is one of eight central cities in England and is also known as the dominant city of the ceremonial county of West Yorkshire.
The government was reorganized in 1974. Before that, the city of Leeds included around eighteen major parishes. Later, Garforth, Middleton and Rothwell were also included. Since then, new areas have been incorporated both in the City and in the district. Leeds has also received many awards in the field of tourism taking several awards, one of them being the ‘Visitor City of the Year’. Notable developments that have taken place in the city include the regeneration of the Holbeck Urban Village, the creation of the Quarry Hill Cultural Quarter, the renovation of Leeds Metropolitan University, Millennium Square, the modernization of the railway station, the center Trinity Shopping and South Leeds Sports Centre.
Leeds has the sixth busiest railway station in the UK. Tube trains go to all parts of West Yorkshire and there are other train services such as GNER and Midland Mainline that provide services across the country. Virgin Cross Country and First Transpennine Express are other notable services. Leeds station has recently undergone a massive refurbishment to improve facilities. For information on this and timetables you should visit the National Rail website. Relaxing on a train, enjoying the natural scenery that surrounds you as you go back down memory lane to the days of the first steam engine is an experience to remember. Leeds is linked by rail to London King’s Cross with a journey time of two hours on GNER’s electrified East Coast Main Line.
The city has also expanded bus services, although there is a demand for the restoration of a tram network. The roads are more than adequate to support an efficient transportation system. Leeds city center is pedestrian-oriented and surrounded by an initially complicated one-way system. There are a number of excellent bus services in Leeds. For information and timetables you should visit the West Yorkshire Metro or Fast Leeds website. From 6:30 am to 7:30 pm Monday to Saturday, the free Metro city bus connects Leeds train and bus stations. They also connect the commercial and business areas, general nursing, universities and Park Lane College. There are 6 buses with 29 seats each, plus the facilities to carry a wheelchair. This service was introduced in January 2006 and has become very popular. More information is available from the Metro Line on 0113 2457676.
The city of Leeds has a very strong and ancient sporting heritage. Notable torchbearers include Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Football Club and Leeds United Association Football Club. Leeds Athletics Club is among the largest athletics clubs in the North of England. The club has always been in the top four of the championship in cross country events at the national level. Sports facilities include the world famous Headingley Stadium used mainly for cricket and sometimes rugby, The Stadium in the south of Leeds for sporting activities, football and tennis, Xscape for indoor games in real snow, Garforth Jets Badminton and sailing club in the center of Yeadon Tarn.
In the realm of print media, the Yorkshire Newspaper Limited takes the front seat, but don’t forget the Yorkshire Evening Post and the Leeds Express, the Wharfe Valley and the Pudsey Times. Famous books include the Leeds Guide and another book called Absolute Leeds. They cover a variety of topics and have a good circulation. Local electronic media such as television and radio work hand in hand and include Yorkshire Television, Aire radio station, Magic 828, Galaxy 105 and Real radio. Leeds ranks as the third largest media city in England, with the top two being London and Manchester respectively. Furthermore, Yorkshire will host the International Film Academy Awards for Indian films and Leeds will take the lead in this area.
Information technology has also gained momentum in the city of Leeds. Many companies dealing with computers and computer technology, the Internet and the World Wide Web have sprung up in Leeds. Today, more than a third of the UK’s internet traffic is routed through Leeds, making it the UK’s largest internet city. All the universities and educational institutions in Leeds today offer information technology as one of their subjects. Several recruiting companies are using on-campus recruiting for brilliant IT engineers. For the last 50 years, The Leeds Met or The Metropolitan University of Leeds has incorporated ‘Introduction to Computer Science’ into their courses. Numerous seminars and discussion forums are held throughout the year in Leeds related to information technology and its implementation. Today, Leeds has more computer-trained staff than most cities, not just in the UK but in the world. Therefore, information technology has taken a predominant part in the educational as well as business environment of Leeds. One good thing that has happened with the advent of information technology is that thousands of potential job seekers do not need to go out on the streets looking for a job, they can simply browse through the relevant web pages, including the official website. UK job information to find job opportunities. and they can even apply online.
The city of Leeds has many things to offer the visitor. For tourists there are many attractions including museums, art galleries, the town square and many more. For a touring businessman, there is ample room to expand his business. There are agencies that provide regular services for the business expansion of future entrepreneurs. Students from all over the world come in search of higher studies, including information technology. Accommodation of all kinds, from luxury hotels to budget accommodation, restaurants of all kinds and excellent travel facilities, make a visitor’s stay in Leeds truly enjoyable. Sports lovers will love the cricket, rugby and football tournaments while music lovers will enjoy jazz and folk music and if they can make it during the Leeds Music Festival it will be an experience unforgettable for them. For all these reasons, Leeds is not considered an ordinary city, but the best shopping and tourist city in England.
