Leeds and the 15-Minute City: A Retail Perspective

At GEOLYTIX, we love Leeds. It’s our home outside the capital and it’s been a big part of our journey. But like any city, Leeds has its problems.

I recently read an article from the Economist titled ‘Must Leeds always lose?’ which compounded a fact I was told in my very first lecture at university here; it’s the biggest city in Europe without a mass transit system.

The news in this domain is, however, bittersweet.

Leeds will be getting a tram! …but no shovels will hit the ground of the city until 2028, and this will be followed by years of disruption. I heard the phrase “Leeds will be nice when it’s finished” muttered in a pub when I first arrived 5 years ago, and its fair to say that we will be waiting a while to see it.

But despite my complaints in jest, better transport is vital for Leeds. After losing out (let’s not debate that right now) from Westminster on HS2, which could have secured greater national mobility for residents, Leeds must now find another way to boost its economy, and the tram could be vital to this.

The Labour Government recently announced a devolution white paper which aims to hand power to the Mayor, Tracy Brabin in Leeds, to enact changes at a local level. As a resident of the city and an individual interested in retail landscapes, I investigate how this plan could be developed using the tram, urban planning concepts and lessons learned in Edinburgh.

What Are We Talking About Here?

Well, put simply the tram and development of Leeds is not just about making commutes easier. It’s about rethinking how people move, shop, and live. When places are well-connected, everything benefits - retail, culture, education, healthcare, jobs. Due to the relatively contained land area of the city centre a tram could easily pull Leeds towards the 15-minute city concept, popularised by Carlos Moreno in his 2016 book. His notion suggests that essential services - including shops - should be within a 15-minute journey via public transport, cycling or walking. It’s an idea that seems like common sense, yet has caused some controversy. Opposing views suggest they are a concept designed to control people's movements and track whereabouts and some councils have removed using the term altogether.

The reality?

It’s simply about giving people more options. A well-designed city doesn’t stop anyone from driving - it just makes it easier not to. And for retail, that’s a good thing. More foot traffic can attract more local spend and encourage thriving high streets.

But while some cities are shying away from the phrase, others - like Edinburgh - are quietly making it a reality.

Edinburgh: A City That’s Making It Work

Edinburgh has embraced the principles of the 15-minute city, with plans for ‘20-minute neighbourhoods’.

The Scottish capital has been laying the groundwork for years, weaving walkability and accessibility into its urban strategy.

Edinburgh’s City Mobility Plan 2030 is all about reducing car dependency, with better public transport, cycling infrastructure, and pedestrian-friendly streets. The tram network also continues to expand in contrast to Leeds, where mass transit remains a distant promise.

The city is also putting these principles into practice with new housing developments. Take Edinburgh Quay, for example - boasting a waterfront backdrop that blends modern apartments, office spaces, and leisure facilities with strong public transport links, including trams connecting it to the city centre. It’s a model that works for residents and businesses alike, keeping footfall high and ensuring commercial spaces remain vibrant. Unlike Leeds Dock, which is loosely connected by a small taxi boat from the city centre, Edinburgh Quay benefits from integration with Edinburgh’s transport network, making it more accessible and well-connected.

This is highlighted by GEOLYTIX’s footfall data with Edinburgh Quay peaking at 25k per day compared to Leeds Dock’s 10K, despite the fact they sit similar distances from their respective city centres.

The Challenges of Change

Whilst the benefits of a 15-minute city are recognisable and quantifiable they do not come without their own challenges.

A key issue is affordability. Walkable, well-connected neighbourhoods are ultimately more attractive and in turn tend to become more expensive, potentially pricing people out. This issue will only be exacerbated by the growth of the universities and student accommodation in Leeds.

Transforming car-reliant areas into pedestrian-friendly hubs takes time, investment, and political will.

What Leeds Can Learn

The tram system is a step forward, but public transport alone won’t solve the city’s connectivity issues. The city needs a broader vision - one that prioritises well-connected, mixed-use neighbourhoods. Edinburgh offers a roadmap for how this can be tackled, whilst also highlighting areas from which Leeds could learn.

In terms of context specific lessons, Leeds could benefit from the introduction of tram stops near key retail hubs, like how Edinburgh’s tram system connects major commercial areas like St James Quarter and Princes Street.

Leeds could also look to the example of Manchester’s Metrolink - this system is used to travel in and out from surrounding areas, rather than hopping between stops in Manchester centre, due to its already largely walkable city centre. A Leeds system could include linking retail hubs such as Crown Point, The White Rose Centre, Birstall Shopping Park and Leeds Dock all without use of a car, and potentially within 15 minutes to the city.

Combined with City Square’s redevelopment to bring enhanced walkability, the potential exists to drive growth.

15-minute cities are about adding choice and creating growth; The ability to walk to a shop, cycle to work, or grab a coffee without jumping in a car. And for retailers, that shift presents an exciting opportunity.

How Can Retailers Adapt?

Should Leeds and other UK cities follow this development plan retailers will require strategy adaptation. Big retail parks, designed with cars in mind, will of course still have a place, but may be less relied upon for certain services in areas where walkability is prioritised. In addition, businesses will need to focus on how they also fit into more localised, foot-traffic-driven environments. Businesses that align with these urban changes will be best placed for success, with high streets, mixed-use developments, and pedestrian-friendly locations becoming increasingly important.

Such strategies could be data-driven and the importance of micro geographies such as footfall data could play a key role. At GEOLYTIX we are aware of the changes on the horizon for retail and we would love to discuss them with you.

Freddie Wallace, Client Solution Analyst at GEOLYTIX

Photo by Tim Lumley on Unsplash