As shoppers return to the City Centre over the festive season, the words of writer Kate Ryrie provides a welcome, writ large in neon across Briggate.
This is a new light installation which moves beyond the traditional Christmas and seeks to lift the spirits of everyone walking below.
LeedsBID is responsible for this 2020 addition to our City, working with design consultancy James Glancy Design, whose specialism is high profile illuminated displays.
Karen Butler, LeedsBID Head of Place:
“This year more than ever we felt it important to bring a little Christmas cheer to the City for local businesses and to welcome back everyone the City has missed over the last few months. We want these words to lift spirits, bring a smile to people’s faces and inject some colour to the City Centre during the festivities and beyond.”
James Glancy owner and Director at James Glancy Design:
“It’s been such a pleasure working with LeedsBID in bringing this new installation to the City and I hope it shows in terms of the content and the type of display that we have collaboratively produced. We are really proud of it and hope everyone enjoys it.”
Creative writer Kate Ryrie:
“These words began as a hopeful letter to Leeds from the depths of the first lockdown, and they’ve gone on to become so much more – from coming to life on film, to lighting the skies of Briggate. I’m honoured to have been part of creating this powerful message at a time when our City needed it most, and I hope people can look up and my words and feel proud to call such a vibrant, resilient place home. Now, with light at the end of the lockdown tunnel, I like to think these lights serve as a reminder of what we’ve been through together – and all the good times still to come.”
“Dear Leeds” will be shining out on Briggate until 17th January 2021.
For details on returning back to Leeds City Centre safety this Christmas and key information about store opening times, parking and things to see, visit http://christmas.welcometoleeds.co.uk
Feature photograph by Ben Bentley.
