Property event UKREiiF to leave Leeds for Liverpool

The decision to move a real estate investment forum from Leeds to Liverpool has been described as a "sad day" for the city by its co-founder.

UKREiiF - the UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum - had been held at the Royal Armouries since it launched in 2022, with more than 17,000 delegates attending, organisers said.

The Liverpool Experience Campus has obtained host rights from 2028, while next year's event will still take place in Leeds from 18 to 20 May.

Co-founder Keith Griffiths said the event had become "a pillar of the business community, bringing national attention and significant income to the local economy".

Griffiths, who has since left the group, said: "It is a sad day for Leeds and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority."

He said during his tenure the event generated more than £60m in economic benefit.

Griffiths said he would be launching a new festival for entrepreneurs, which he hoped would "fill the gap" left by the departure of UKREiif, describing the market for entrepreneurs as "far larger than the real estate market".

The festival will launch at the Royal Armouries in June 2027 and become an annual event from May 2028 when UKREiif has left, he added.

Nathan Spencer, co-founder and managing director of UKREiiF, said the move was about "celebrating everything that Leeds and West Yorkshire has helped UKREiiF become".

He said: "That legacy will always belong to Leeds and West Yorkshire, and we'll continue to be based here with the region holding such a brilliant talent pool that will help us continue our growth."

Organisers said that more than £4bn of investments and projects had come through UKREiiF events.

Councillor James Lewis, Leeds City Council leader, said the event had contributed to many more large-scale conferences committing to Leeds.

"We are excited to now work together with the Royal Armouries towards accelerating the vision for the next generation conference and exhibition centre which will see a significant upgrade in capacity and visitor experience over the next few years," said Lewis.

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: "We have proven that we are the best place in the UK to start and grow a business, and it has been great to welcome people from across the country to strike investment deals, while showing what our great city and region has to offer.

"I am proud that we have nurtured this internationally significant event that is now offered to the country, and to the world, and I look forward to seeing how it evolves."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.