The West Yorkshire Story
Our region's unique identity
Our pioneering heritage
Here in West Yorkshire, we are different. We are single-minded pioneers, determined and hard-working, ambitious, and creative, and not afraid to take on challenges. These traits put us at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution and made us a manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
West Yorkshire has a long history of innovation and industry, delivering economic success alongside social progress. Industrialists such as Sir Titus Salt had a vision for the model village of Saltaire, supporting people out of poverty and into skilled work. Betty Beecroft’s courage and ambition developed Kirkstall Forge, one of the oldest, most continuously-used industrial sites in England.
Benjamin Gott revolutionised the production of woollen cloth and with his success invested in the cultural and civic life of Leeds.
Innovative ideas are our bread and butter, powering the region’s success. Our story is filled with ground-breaking discoveries and transformative practices. From firsts in the world of film and transportation, to the production of world-renowned video games and pioneering medical technologies such as Thackary Ltd’s work on hip replacements and Paxman Coolers’ cancer treatment. It was our region that connected people across the world, with PACE producing the first low cost, commercially available modem.
And it was here that the invention of Cat’s Eye technology provided light in the darkness to transform road safety globally. Pioneering textile technologies created during the Industrial Revolution have developed to become cutting-edge techniques using recycled and recovered plastics.
It’s our region that connected people across the world.
Here in West Yorkshire, we are different. We are single-minded pioneers, determined and hard-working, ambitious, and creative, and not afraid to take on challenges. These traits put us at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution and made us a manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
West Yorkshire has a long history of innovation and industry, delivering economic success alongside social progress. Industrialists such as Sir Titus Salt had a vision for the model village of Saltaire, supporting people out of poverty and into skilled work. Betty Beecroft’s courage and ambition developed Kirkstall Forge, one of the oldest, most continuously-used industrial sites in England.
Benjamin Gott revolutionised the production of woollen cloth and with his success invested in the cultural and civic life of Leeds.
It's our region that connected people across the world.
Innovative ideas are our bread and butter, powering the region’s success. Our story is filled with ground-breaking discoveries and transformative practices. From firsts in the world of film and transportation, to the production of world-renowned video games and pioneering medical technologies such as Thackary Ltd’s work on hip replacements and Paxman Coolers’ cancer treatment. It was our region that connected people across the world, with PACE producing the first low cost, commercially available modem.
And it was here that the invention of Cat’s Eye technology provided light in the darkness to transform road safety globally. Pioneering textile technologies created during the Industrial Revolution have developed to become cutting-edge techniques using recycled and recovered plastics.
We embrace our industrial heritage, paving the way for the emergence of new industries.
Weaving technology is now used to make super-strength jet engine parts. It was at the University of Leeds that William Bragg’s revolutionary research on X-ray crystallography changed the face of modern science. Born in Birstall, Joseph Priestley is credited with the discovery of oxygen and conducted early experiments on the carbon cycle.
Marks & Spencer, one of the most recognisable shops in the country, began from just a small market stall in Leeds.
Towering figures across the arts have been inspired by our places: from the Brontë sisters and the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, to David Hockney, Anne Lister and Barbara Hepworth, from the countercultural post-punk movement to the biggest pop groups in the world.
We are the birthplace of rugby league, and sporting success runs through our region. From unsung pioneers such as world-beating cyclist Beryl Burton, to extraordinary Olympians and Paralympians like Nicola Adams, the Brownlee brothers, Kadeena Cox and Hannah Cockroft. These inspirational figures show our grit and determination, with their eyes on the prize, they just don’t give up.
Once the home of Crossley Carpets, the world’s largest carpet manufacturer, Dean Clough is now a vibrant 22-acre mixed-use mill complex. A thriving community which combines arts and culture, leisure facilities, restaurants, bars, cafés, shops, event spaces, offices, and a hotel.
Following decades of neglect, Conditioning House, a Victorian Mill in Bradford has won awards after being converted into modern apartments, office space, a gym and new café, and the stunning but abandoned Temple Works in Leeds will be brought back to life as the home of the British Library North.
We embrace our industrial heritage, paving the way for the emergence of new industries at the cutting edge of health and technology, inventing and manufacturing products that will solve challenges of the future - enabling people to live longer, healthier, and greener lives.
Weaving technology is now used to make super-strength jet engine parts. It was at the University of Leeds that William Bragg’s revolutionary research on X-ray crystallography changed the face of modern science. Born in Birstall, Joseph Priestley is credited with the discovery of oxygen and conducted early experiments on the carbon cycle.
Marks & Spencer, one of the most recognisable shops in the country, began from just a small market stall in Leeds.
Towering figures across the arts have been inspired by our places: from the Brontë sisters and the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, to David Hockney, Anne Lister and Barbara Hepworth, from the countercultural post-punk movement to the biggest pop groups in the world.
We are the birthplace of rugby league, and sporting success runs through our region. From unsung pioneers such as world-beating cyclist Beryl Burton, to extraordinary Olympians and Paralympians like Nicola Adams, the Brownlee brothers, Kadeena Cox and Hannah Cockroft. These inspirational figures show our grit and determination, with their eyes on the prize, they just don’t give up.
We embrace our industrial heritage, paving the way for the emergence of new industries.
Once the home of Crossley Carpets, the world’s largest carpet manufacturer, Dean Clough is now a vibrant 22-acre mixed-use mill complex. A thriving community which combines arts and culture, leisure facilities, restaurants, bars, cafés, shops, event spaces, offices, and a hotel.
Following decades of neglect, Conditioning House, a Victorian Mill in Bradford has won awards after being converted into modern apartments, office space, a gym and new café, and the stunning but abandoned Temple Works in Leeds will be brought back to life as the home of the British Library North.
We embrace our industrial heritage, paving the way for the emergence of new industries at the cutting edge of health and technology, inventing and manufacturing products that will solve challenges of the future - enabling people to live longer, healthier, and greener lives.
#WYPlan2040