There’s more facts about Leeds than the average person knows about, whether you’re a born and bred Loiner, or staying temporarily in one of our fantastic Leeds serviced apartments. Below are a few fascinating facts about Leeds to shout about when you’re next talking about your Yorkshire home.
The first provider of UK internet
Leeds is actually the reason the UK has many of the luxuries that have become second nature to us in the twenty first century, as the location gave us internet. Freeserve was the first-ever British internet service provider and was founded in the Yorkshire city in 1998. It has gone through many changes but is known today as EE, so you know who and where to thank when you’re next scrolling through social media.
Famous faces
There is no denying the fact that Leeds has created some well-known names, from the music industry to Olympic stars, the Yorkshire city has many prodigies to be proud of. On its list of famous faces, you will find the likes of Mel B from Spice Girls, chef Marco Pierre White, Olympic boxer Nicola Adams and Harry Potter actor, Matthew Lewis, to name a few. The city was also the stomping ground for one of the world’s most renowned structural engineers, Sir Edmund Happold, who contributed to projects such as the Sydney Opera House and the Pompidou Centre in Paris.
Architectural significance
Speaking of famous buildings, it is said that Leeds was the birthplace of the first flat iron shaped building before its famous predecessor, New York, became the location people visited to witness the landmark. Leeds Bridge House takes the shape of the ground-breaking New York skyscraper, but the two buildings have somewhat different conceptions. However, it should be noted that the Leeds version was built in 1875, predating The Flat Iron in New York by twenty seven years!
Animal traces
Back in Victorian times, Leeds was actually home to a zoo where visitors could go to visit bears. Additionally, the bones of an ancient hippo were once discovered within the area, suggesting that these land mammals once roamed the same streets we do now. Luckily, there is no longer any bears or hippos wandering UK soil, so you don’t have to worry about bumping into any unwelcome creatures whilst visiting!
Charity links
It is not very well known, but one of the UK’s national treasures, Pudsey the Bear, has Yorkshire roots. The mascot comes from a town called Pudsey, near Leeds, after the designer of the bear looked back on her hometown when naming the lovable character, which instantly proved a hit. Pudsey now helps in the fundraising efforts for the charity Children in Need and is a well-known face to children and adults across the country.
Sugary creation
1767 is a year that no dentists will ever forget, as it saw the invention of their sworn enemy for the next 250 years, fizzy drinks. Generations of teeth would never be the same again as within a university lab in Leeds, Joseph Priestley found a way to infuse water with carbon bubbles, which would go on to contribute to the creation of the soft drink industry.
Charles Dickens' experience
Although often dubbed as one of the best places to live in the UK, not everyone over the years has favoured the Yorkshire city. Most notably, Charles Dickens visited the city a number of times during his career, yet the first time obviously left a lasting impression as he described the location as ‘odious’ when speaking about his visit nearly ten years later. Well, you can’t please everyone.
One for the train enthusiasts
Many visit Leeds for its up and coming dining options or its thriving shopping centre, however, one of the most popular visitor spots is actually Middleton Railway Station. Here, you will find the oldest continuously working railway in the world which still operates from Moor Road Station to Park Halt by volunteers. A must-visit for train enthusiasts, the attraction is also a fascinating port of call during a stay in Leeds for tourists and those interested in history.
Links to NASA
Jelly tots were created by accident in Leeds by a young research scientist at Rowntrees sweet factory called Brian Boffey after he ran an experiment to see how to produce powdered jelly. In fact, Boffey’s discovery actually went on to help astronauts in space, as NASA approached the scientist to aid in the process of freezing dried food for their space missions. A unique claim to fame, having a packet of jelly tots is essential during your stay to pay homage to the Leeds-based sweets.
Department store origin
Another of the many big names that Leeds has produced is Marks and Spencers, as the nationwide chain opened its flagship store in Leeds in 1884 as a Penny Bazaar. To get a taste of the well-known retailer’s heritage, you can visit its roots by heading to their stall at the Kirkgate Market, the site on which Michael Marks opened the original store.
The original 'Hollywood'
Cities all over the world are famous for being popular filming destinations; walk the street of Hollywood, Paris or New York and you are sure to bump into a filming crew recording a scene for a new up and coming movie. However, it was Leeds which catapulted many of the films we see today to the big screen, as in 1888 the world’s first film was shot in Leeds. Roundhay Garden Scene is a short, silent film recorded by the French inventor Louis Le Prince and is believed to be the oldest surviving film in existence.
If you are heading to Leeds on business in the near future, make sure you book one of our fantastic serviced apartments as your base after visiting the conference venues dotted around the city. These fantastic facts about Leeds are a perfect conversation starter to pull out and impress your corporate associates and partners, so get revising!
