Make home where the art is

Caption: Both 'The Fun One Hundred' by Peter Davies (above) and Ross Holden's 'Brighton 01' will soon be added to the picture lending scheme

Anyone keen to brighten up their home or office with a piece of art will be able to do so after a visit to Leeds Art Gallery this weekend.

Taking place from 11am-3pm on Saturday 30 July at the gallery on The Headrow, the latest selection day for the picture lending scheme will see a variety of art on show ready to be taken away and borrowed for up to a year.

Any individual or business based in the region can join the scheme, which has over 600 works made up of a wide variety of oils, watercolours, drawings, photographs and prints available for loan.

Joining the scheme costs £4 per month for the first artwork borrowed, and then £2 per month for subsequent works, with a minimum loan period of three months.

The picture lending scheme began at Leeds Art Gallery in 1961 as a way for people to experience and enjoy original works of art in the privacy of their own homes. Since then it has steadily grown to now cater for every taste, from traditional landscapes to abstract works based on the collection held by the council’s museums and galleries service.

As part of the development of the scheme, all of the items currently available for loan have been photographed for a new catalogue which will make it easier for borrowers to search the entire collection.

A further development has seen all the existing members asked to vote for new works to be added to the lending collection. The result has seen Ross Holden’s print 'Brighton 01' and Peter Davies’ print 'The Fun One Hundred' acquired and added to the collection, and they will available to loan from October onwards. Such was the success of the voting process it is to be repeated on Saturday to identify the next works members would like to be able to borrow.

The scheme has received interest in recent months both nationally in the UK and also from as far afield as America and Malaysia.

Anyone wishing to join the picture lending scheme can do so in person at one of the four selection days held throughout the year by providing photographic identification (such as a passport or driving licence) and proof of address. All works are insured by Leeds Museums and Galleries, but standard charges may apply for damage or loss.

Leeds City Council assistant curator of fine art Ted Wilkins, who manages the picture lending scheme, said:

“The picture lending scheme is a fantastic way for people to properly experience art in their home or office rather than seeing it on a wall in the gallery. Despite being around for 50 years now, the scheme itself still seems to be a bit of a well-kept secret so we’d like to change that by inviting anyone interested to come along on Saturday and take a look. They will also have the chance to be able to take in the fantastic Damien Hirst exhibition while they are here too.”

To find out more visit the website at www.leeds.gov.uk/picturelending

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:
Roger Boyde, leisure media relations officer,
Tel 0113 247 5472, email: roger.boyde@leeds.gov.uk

Leeds City Council welcomes government support for Enterprise Zone

Leeds City Council welcomes today’s announcement from the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer of support for a Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone within Aire Valley Leeds.

The Aire Valley Leeds Enterprise Zone will extend employment land in the Aire Valley attracting new jobs and businesses and providing employment opportunities across the region. It is expected to bring a £550m economic boost to the wider area and create over 9,500 new jobs by 2025.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council executive member responsible for development and regeneration, said:

“This is great news – it is an important first step in delivering the Enterprise Zone and it sends out a message that Aire Valley Leeds will be open for business in April next year.

“With the potential to deliver 5,000 new jobs in the next few years and allow hundreds of businesses to take advantage of locating to the region, Aire Valley Leeds will act as a catalyst for boosting the regional economy.

“The council has spent a lot of time and money getting the conditions right for these developments and we will continue to work with the government and with businesses to make the area a success.”

Councillor Keith Wakefield, Leader of Leeds City Council, said:
“Together with developments such as the Trinity Leeds shopping scheme and the Leeds Arena, this shows how Leeds continues to push forward with projects that create new job opportunities for local residents.

“The Enterprise Zone will also have wider benefits with the revenues generated being invested in projects across the Leeds City Region.


Neil McLean, Chair of the Leeds City Region LEP said:

“An Enterprise Zone for the city region means a potentially significant increase in economic output and access to job opportunities across the city region.

“By reinvesting the proceeds of the enterprise zone in city region priorities we will ensure that all our communities benefit from this exciting new initiative.”

The Aire Valley Leeds Enterprise Zone comprises some 142 hectares of land close to the A1(M) and the M621 motorways and straddles the East Leeds Link road, which runs right through to the city centre.

It is close to the centre of the city region with good transport links so people from across the area would be able to take jobs there and companies from many areas with supply chain links will benefit. It is expected that the Zone will be open for business from April 2012 with a view to offering financial incentives for companies setting up there within the following three years.

The Enterprise Zone aims to build on the success Aire Valley Leeds as a base for business which already has a host of successful companies operating from the Cross Green, Pontefract Road and Stourton areas. Over 400 companies already recognise the advantages of the location and this additional land allows for a major expansion of the numbers of businesses and numbers of jobs available to people across the area.

One such company is Muse Developments. Their regional director, Dan Needham, said:

“Enterprise Zone designation provides a clear statement of confidence in the Aire Valley and creates a tremendous opportunity for significant economic growth for both Leeds and the wider city region. We look forward to continuing to work with Leeds City Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership to ensure that our 'Logic' distribution and industrial development plays a key role in delivering economic benefits, including new jobs, over the coming years."

Ends

Notes for Editors

The government announced in the budget this year that it would introduce 21 enterprise zones across the country as part of its commitment to economic growth. It was revealed that an enterprise zone would be set up in the Leeds City Region area. The board of the Leeds Local Enterprise Partnership at their meeting on the 15th June agreed that the Aire Valley Leeds was their preferred location for this.

The government has promoted incentives within enterprise zones including:
• a 100 per cent business rate discount worth up to £275,000 over a five year period for businesses that move into an enterprise zone during the first three years;
• all business rates growth within the zone for a period of at least 25 years will be retained and shared by the local authorities in the LEP area to support their economic priorities;
• Government and local authority help to develop radically-simplified planning approaches in the zone; and
• Government support to ensure super-fast broadband is rolled out in the zone. This will be achieved through guaranteeing the most supportive planning environment and, if necessary, public funding.

In addition, the government will consider:
• the scope for introducing enhanced capital allowances to support zones in assisted areas where there is a strong focus on high value manufacturing;
• the use of Tax Incremental Finance to support the long-term viability of the zone in tandem with the Local Government Resource Review; and
• UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) support on inward investment and trade opportunities.

More details on the Aire Valley Leeds can be found on the programme website www.airevalleyleeds.com

Ends


For media enquiries, please contact;
Tel: Cat Milburn 0113 247 4450
Email: Catherine.milburn@leeds.gov.uk

Stage is set for star performers at Temple Newsam

Caption: Aled Jones and JLS will be among the stars performing at Temple Newsam this weekend

Temple Newsam Park is gearing up to be the centre of attention in Leeds this weekend as Opera in the Park and Party in the Park take place.

The two popular annual events will see television star Aled Jones and host of leading performers take to the stage for Opera in the Park on Saturday night before a capacity 70,000 crowd will welcome chart-toppers including JLS, The Wanted, Jay Sean, Pixie Lott, Example and Tinchy Stryder to Party in the Park on Sunday afternoon.

Organiser Leeds City Council has confirmed that tickets for Opera in the Park will be able to be purchased up to and including the day of the event while there will also be limited availability to buy tickets at the venue itself on the night.

The show begins at 8pm with Aled Jones presenting and performing along with renowned opera soloists Orla Boylan, Heather Shipp, Gwyn Hughes Jones and David Kempster as well as The Leeds Festival Chorus, with music provided by The Orchestra of Opera North.

The programme for the open-air show supported by media partners the Yorkshire Post and Magic 828 will feature a host of well-known pieces from films and television adverts, including from operas old and new as well as from musicals and classic songs from the fifties, sixties and seventies. The evening will conclude with an encore performance of ‘Nessun Dorma’ by tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones and a spectacular fireworks display.

Tickets are priced at £12 general admission, £9.50 LEEDSCard and Breezecard holders and £8.50 for LEEDSCard Extra holders (all prices inclusive of VAT) and are available to purchase in person or by calling the City Centre Box Office at The Carriageworks off Millennium Square (0113 224 3801) or from Leeds Visitor Centre at Leeds Rail Station (0113 242 5242). The city centre box office is open between 10am to 6pm and the Visitor centre 9am - 5.30pm up to and including Saturday 30th July.

A limited number of tickets will also be available to purchase from the Stable Courtyard at Temple Newsam on Saturday 30th from 10am although anyone wishing to attend the event is advised to purchase their tickets in advance to avoid any large queues and delays at the gates.

The following day sees Party in the Park take place from 1pm, with the line-up of star names appearing at the UK’s biggest free pop party organised by Leeds City Council and 96.3 Radio Aire including JLS, The Wanted, Jay Sean, Pixie Lott, Example, Tinchy Stryder, Olly Murs and Cher Lloyd.

Leeds City Council executive member for leisure Councillor Adam Ogilvie said:

“Opera in the Park and Party in the Park are two fantastic events for Leeds and the weather looks like it is going to be warm and sunny to make for a great weekend.

“Tickets for Opera in the Park will be available right up until the show and are less than £10 for all LEEDSCard holders offering the ideal chance to enjoy a picnic in a superb setting while watching and listening to a wonderful evening’s entertainment.

“The following day will see some of the biggest pop acts performing in front of a packed 70,000 crowd so we are looking forward again to two more memorable events at Temple Newsam.”

Anyone travelling to Temple Newsam for these events is advised to be aware that delays are likely on the Leeds inner ring road as vital work is being carried out to repair Woodhouse tunnel. For more information go to www.leeds.gov.uk/woodhousetunnel

Full event details together with all travel and car parking information and directions are available at www.leeds.gov.uk/opera and www.radioaire.com/party-in-the-park.

Anyone requiring further information about either event can also contact Leeds City Council’s events team on 0113 224 3600 or by email at events@leeds.gov.uk.

Note to editors:

Media access to Opera in the Park will be by prior approval only. For more information contact Roger Boyde at roger.boyde@leeds.gov.uk or call 0113 247 5472.

The deadline for media accreditation to Party in the Park has now passed and unaccredited access will not be available at the event.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:
Roger Boyde, leisure media relations officer,
Tel 0113 247 5472, email: roger.boyde@leeds.gov.uk