Interesting Facts About Leeds
- Leeds is home to Kirkgate Market, one of the largest indoor markets in Europe. The iconic Marks and Spencer first began as a market stall at Leeds Kirkgate Market in the year 1884.
- The oldest flying aeroplane in Britain was made here in Leeds. It was built by Robert Blackburn just ten years after the famous flight of the Wright Brothers in the year 1912.
- Matthew Murray along with John Marshall build the world’s first steam locomotive here in the year 1812.
- The X-ray which is one of the most scientific progressions of the 21st century was made in Leeds The Bragg father son duo discovered the structure of crystals using x-ray at the University of Leeds.
- Leeds International Film Festival is the largest film festival in England outside of London showcasing a diverse range of films and also providing a wonderful platform for avid cinephiles.
- Leeds has the oldest running commercial railway in the world
- The world’s first double hand transplant was done in Leeds
- Leeds was the original motorway city in the world
- Long-time Leeds resident Joseph Priestley, is credited with the discovery of oxygen and he was responsible for the invention of carbonated water which led to the making of fizzy drinks
- Leeds was the birthplace of cardio thoracic surgery
Interesting Economic Facts About Leeds
- Leeds is home to over 109,000 companies, generating 5% of England's total economic output.
- Leeds is the largest legal and financial centre in England outside of London, and third largest in the UK after Edinburgh
- Leeds is also the UK's third largest manufacturing centre with around 1,800 firms and 39,000 employees.
- Leeds was successful in becoming the first British city to have full broadband and digital coverage during the dot-com bubble, enabling it to become one of the key hubs in the emerging new media sector. Companies such as Freeserve, Energis, Sportal, TEAMtalk, Contactmusic.com and Ananova emerged from Leeds to dominate the UK internet industry.
- Leeds is ranked 5th in the UK for quality of life, according to a rating of the UK's 12 largest cities.
- International students in Leeds contribute a net worth of 390 million pounds to the UK economy.
- Leeds also has a strong manufacturing and engineering sector with companies specializing in automotive, aerospace and advanced engineering.
- Leeds South Bank is the base for UK and regional headquarters of firms such as Asda, Eversheds, Ernst and Young and DWF, together with a cluster of creative and digital media businesses located in Holbeck Urban Village.
- Companies with more than 1,000 employees based in Leeds include Asda Group, First Direct, Centrica, Ventura, BT, Direct Line Group and Yorkshire Bank.
Best University in Leeds
University of Leeds
Popular Universities in Leeds Among Indian Students
University of Leeds
Leeds Beckett University
Leeds Trinity University