And that’s a wrap! As we bid farewell to 2023, we’re taking the chance to reflect on a year filled with new tenants, wellness and exciting developments at White Rose Park.
From transformative infrastructure projects to community-driven initiatives, here’s a brief snapshot of a jam-packed year:
February: Embracing active living
We kicked off on a high by enhancing our outdoor sports court and creating a new sports and wellness asset at the Park, with the installation of the new multipurpose 2G pitch. Better known as the ‘Smith Arena’.
Alongside our Outdoor Training Park, free fitness sessions and wellness seminars, the new 2G arena offers our community another great way to follow an active lifestyle. We’re also really happy that the facility is now home to a number of local grassroots football teams for their winter training sessions.
Add to this, our ongoing collaboration with health and wellness partners, zeno, expanded as they took space on-site in Building 3. Their presence has helped take our community’s health and wellness experience to a new level, laying the groundwork for bigger and better things in 2024.
March: Welcoming new tenants
Throughout the course of the year, our WRP community has expanded with the arrival of various new tenants.
In March, we welcomed technology and electronics brand, Hisense in 1 Munroe Court, followed closely by the Leeds Community NHS Healthcare Trust, taking space in Building 3.
Later in the year, Rangoli Radio set up their new studio in The Hub, where they broadcast live music and updates to listeners around the globe.
May: Oliver’s at The Hub
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May marked a significant milestone with the opening of Oliver’s, our refurbished and refreshed on-site restaurant. As our space upstairs began to burst at the seams during the lunchtime rush, we knew it was time to bring food back downstairs, the first time since the pandemic.
Serving up fresh, tasty food with rotating weekly menus, Oliver’s is delivering a host of freshly prepared meals, making it even easier for our community to eat well at work.
July: Supporting Ukraine and community spirit
In a display of unity, White Rose Park played host to the Leeds Ukrainian Community Association fundraising event in July.
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The event was an incredible success, as we enjoyed a night of camaraderie, connections and fun over a selection of delicious dishes.
Most notably, our collective efforts raised over £3,000 for a worthy cause, a significant achievement that highlights the generosity of everyone involved.
September: White Rose Railway Station progress
2023 saw more progress at the White Rose Railway Station, led by rail infrastructure specialists, Spencer Group.
September was a real highlight for everyone, seeing the installation of the two new link bridges. These link the new station buildings with the platforms and marked another step toward its grand opening in 2024.
October: Pioneering sustainable development
In October, Munroe K, submitted a planning application for the new Station Plaza office development at White Rose Park.
This ambitious project aspires to set new standards, aiming to become the first BREEAM Outstanding and NABERS 5-star out-of-town development in Leeds. This emphasises our commitment to sustainability and innovation, the sign of things to come in the future.
November: Technological innovation takes centre stage with Ingenuity
Always striving to create a campus that’s at the forefront of technological innovation, White Rose Park and Ingenuity hosted a 5G Real-World IoT Hackathon, powered by aql and in partnership with Fyma and Nexus.
The event proved to be a real success, providing a platform for tech-driven individuals and students to explore LoRaWAN networking, API web development, and more.
December: Plans submitted for Ingenuity and a year-end treat
Finally, to wrap up a busy year a planning application was submitted for the new Ingenuity innovation hub to be built at White Rose Park. The new hub will be a new centre for Smarter Cities innovation and entrepreneurship in Leeds and the UK.
Last but not least, and on a sweet note, our friend Luke at Caffé Aperitivo will now be serving up freshly-brewed coffee, delicious sweet treats and savoury snacks every Wednesday every Wednesday and Thursday.
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