Has Wakefield got what it takes to create a new cultural hub?

Has Wakefield got what it takes to create a new cultural hub? Integreat Yorkshire gathered the city’s movers and shakers to find out.

Tahir Ali’s explanation for locating Mumbai, his new Indian restaurant, in Wakefield Westgate, should be music to the ears of the people planning a new cultural quarter for the city.

The Bradford-based businessman said: ‘One of the things that got me excited about expanding my business here was the diversity and the energy. Momentum is gathering in Wakefield. A restaurant in a special location gives you the edge, and I believe I have found it here.’

Consultants Scott Wilson have produced a development framework for turning the historic Westgate Yards area – which covers Woolpacks Yard, Thompson’s Yard and Barstow Square – into a vibrant cultural quarter. Lying between the city centre and Westgate Station, it takes in the Theatre Royal, artists’ studios, and the derelict Unity Hall, which has the potential to be a major new centre for performing arts and cultural businesses.

In early October Integreat Yorkshire, the regional centre of excellence in regeneration and renaissance, brought together key players from Wakefield at the Theatre Royal to consider how to build on this momentum. A panel of creative industry experts shared their experience of what makes a successful cultural quarter and what can be learned from elsewhere.

The event highlighted Integreat’s growing role in brokering relationships, sharing knowledge and building networks to encourage effective placemaking. Using its links across the region and beyond, Integreat brought together creative professionals with a wide range of experience to help inform the discussions within Wakefield’s business and cultural community.


Wakefield Council and Integreat see the event as part of a continuing partnership between the two organisations to ensure that plans for Wakefield Yards build on the significant expertise that has already been developed across the region.


Richard Motley, programme director at Integreat Yorkshire, said: ‘We have worked with our colleagues in Wakefield Council and brought together a number of national, regional and local regeneration and sector experts. All have helped shape or deliver creative quarters. Many of these quarters work to a common purpose, recognising the many mutual benefits of working in a distinctive or branded place, but I’m sure all have faced many challenges. It is through sharing these that we can learn and create a distinctive Wakefield version in Westgate Yards.’


Ann Pittard, service director for sustainable communities at City of Wakefield MDC, stressed the huge amount that had already been achieved in terms of professional and cultural services, and the top-level backing from the local authority. ‘The commitment to regeneration of our urban centres is stronger than ever,’ she said. ‘There’s a need for quick wins, and visible signs of change.’

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