Working with Leeds Citizens, All Together Armley, and the local Councillors, I chaired Armley Business Forum’s inaugural meeting last Friday evening. It took place in the wake of the announcement that the Co-op will be closing their branch on Armley Town Street at the end of April. It was clear in the meeting that there is a determination from local businesses, from high street names to small independent shops, that we need to work together to make Armley Town Street more attractive for new businesses and customers.  

It was really important to listen to what businesses have to say about the main challenges of operating on Armley Town Street. The festival in August will be an excellent way to give focus for businesses to work together to show the rest of Leeds the best of Armley and I delighted that we agreed this as a course of action to take at the meeting.