We would like to say a big thank you to the organisations that are supporting us on this event:

Leeds City College

Leeds City College became a reality on April 1 2009, following the merger of Leeds College of Technology, Leeds Thomas Danby and Park Lane College Leeds&Keighley.
 
Now one of the largest and most influential colleges in the country, with over 50,000 students and a £70m turnover, the College offers an extensive range of full and part-time courses to suit the needs of pre and post 16s, adult learners and employers.
 
The recently launched Leeds Retail Skills Academy, based at The Store, a Leeds City College outlet in The Plaza Shopping Centre, is a ‘one-stop shop’ for employers and employees in the sector, providing opportunities including a Foundation Degree in Retail, a Diploma in Retail Business, pre-employment courses, Apprenticeships, retail customer service programmes and retail work experience alongside bespoke training.
 
The Academy, currently one of only 24 such outlets in the UK, is part of a Government backed network of training centres designed to increase productivity in the sector and has been hailed as a key way to help retailers to develop their staff’s potential, improve their performance and prepare for the economic upturn.

Leeds Corn Exchange

Leeds Corn Exchange is one of Britain's finest Victorian buildings and, following a major restoration, the stunning cultural icon is reaffirming its traditional role as a centre for trade, by championing the very best in creative, innovative and independent retail enterprises – “Retail Talents”.

Already home to Piazza by Anthony, an exciting new concept by homegrown culinary legend Anthony Flinn, and a growing number of independent fashion boutiques and creative enterprises, Leeds Corn Exchange provides an exceptional showcase opportunity for Retail Talents to operate in Leeds’ most striking and theatrical retail space. 

The Light Leeds

A cosmopolitan shopping and leisure destination in the heart of Leeds city centre and home to some of the best known names in fashion and designer retail. The Light combines fantastic high street and independent shops with a wide variety of cafes, restaurants, bars, a 13 screen multiplex cinema, a state of the art health club and a four star Radisson BLU hotel - making it the perfect place to shop, dine and spend your leisure time. The Light’s great choice of bars and restaurants situated within a stunning glass covered Courtyard give the centre a real continental feel and provide the perfect haven after a day in the city - whatever the weather!

Leeds Retail Skills Academy

The Leeds Retail Skills Academy is a not-for-profit company providing access to world-class skills and business support for all retailers across the Leeds City Region irrespective of size or shape. We are a not-for-profit organisation, part of the Leeds City College.

The Leeds Retail Skills Academy will:

• Provide access to world-class skills and business support for all retailers across the Leeds City Region irrespective of size or shape
• We will be the lead organisation for those interested in professional rewarding careers and skills development in the retail sector
• Create a consistent approach for training and skills in the Leeds City Region’s largest private sector employer

All of these objectives mirror the aims and direction of the National Skills Academy for Retail and are designed to demonstrate the seamless approach with the national drive to support skills development across the UK retail sector.

Our aim is to create a flagship centre for the delivery of all retail skills development . It will allow learners and retailers across the City Region access to world-class skills and business support; it will enable the delivery of flexible learning opportunities and allow the creation of a consistent approach to training and skills in  the largest private employment sectors in Leeds.

We will  provide an important vehicle for employer responsiveness; accordingly, the hub and spoke approach we are intending will all be based in the heart of retail shopping centres in Leeds, Keighley and at the White Rose Centre rather than on traditional college campuses.

Among  the proposed programmes , which  will range from pre-employment to degree level, will  be elements from Customer Service and Business programmes, complimenting programmes such as:

• Retail Works and other careers /pre-employment programmes
• Diploma in Retail and Business
• Master Classes
• Skills and development programmes offered to all retail companies and their teams
• Information,Advice and Guidance (IAG) for retailers and those interested in retail
• Foundation Degrees in association with Leeds Metropolitan University
• Store Management Programmes for managers and proprietors
• Retail Ambassadors’ , who will be the role models of retail behaviour and skill levels
• The Leeds City College’s aims for retailers interested in skills development are:
• To raise achievement levels for those working in and those interested in entering the sector in the Leeds City Region.
• To offer improved provision and services to suit the needs of everyone from school leavers to retail employers.
• To enhance our  retail provision to be amongst the best in the country

The Leeds Retail Skills Academy is based at The Store, Unit 5,Leeds Plaza Shopping Centre,27 Albion Street LEEDS LS1 5ER

Anthony's Restaurants

Anthony’s Restaurants Limited is a family owned and run company. Since opening in 2004 they have embarked on an ambitious program of expansion and have proven their commitment to ensuring the best possible dining experiences, appealing to all food lovers and not just the chosen few. Having opened their fourth restaurant in the magnificent Corn Exchange they now have a portfolio that caters for every taste, from a simple cup of their own specially blended coffee to a culinary gastronomic experience. They have continued to invest and build their whole business in the centre of Leeds with all restaurants within walking distance of each other. Anthony’s has been critically acclaimed both locally and nationally and is hailed as the most exciting restaurants in the north for decades, by the most demanding of critics.

Residence 6*

Located in the heart of the city centre, in one of Leeds' landmark buildings, The Old Post Office, Residence 6* reflects the ultimate expression of comfort and refinement in their luxury apartments and provides a refreshing alternative to a five star hotel.  Offering 23 private apartments and two superb restaurants ( Restaurant Bar&Grill, & Loch Fyne Seafood Restaurant) here you will enjoy an incomparable level of space and luxury in a refreshingly unique and personal environment where you can truly relax and feel at home.  With exceptional levels of personalised service and amenities, Residence 6* is the perfect place to stay in 5 star comfort whilst in Leeds on either business or pleasure, be it for a night, a month or a year.