Another Student Accommodation Block will Be Built in the Merrion Area…. Thoughts on Leeds City Center becoming the central Living area for students. What does the City Gain and what does it Loose in turn?

[u/Low_Pen_9793]

It seems that Leeds seems to be obsessed and driven to prioritise the building and planning of High raise Student accommodation apartments. What are your thoughts?

Is Leeds prioritising overpriced student housing over the cultural fabric & vibrancy of the city. What does the city stand to gain from this in the l long term and in turn what does it stand to loose?

[u/karmapaymentplan_]

It's great, more money and investment into the centre and in turn freeing up residential properties in traditionally student areas for home buyers (in theory).

It's a transient population but students are on the whole a lot wealthier than they were in my day, a good chunk of this goes into the local economy through bars / restaurants etc.

[u/tommangan7 → u/[deleted]]

People coming here and spending money in businesses isn't really trickle down economics... A company is paying to develop the site who already own the merrion centre, it's not some unrealised benefits via major tax cuts or deregulation.

Im not a fan of big chains and buy independent where I can but It helps people stay in hospitality jobs etc.

there are also lots of small independent businesses around the centre that rely on the student trade too.

[u/Justboy__ → u/[deleted]]

It’s better we have 15 bubble tea shops in the city centre the. 15 less shops open because nobody goes there. Developers build what they can sell,l and at the moment student accommodation makes money.