This week, Tileyard Co-Founder Nick Keynes spoke to BBC Radio Leeds, in a conversation sparked by the ‘Wakefield City Centre Masterplan’ that has since been signed off by the council.

The plans detailing how Wakefield City Centre will be transformed – from green spaces to housing and cultural developments – the Masterplan supports the creation of a vibrant environment for the city, now home to Tileyard North. 

We are thrilled that the district will benefit from the plans to increase connectivity throughout Wakefield and the positive changes the Masterplan will bring over the next 20 years.

Sharing the story behind Tileyard, Nick spoke to Richard Stead from BBC Radio Leeds to express how Tileyard North will contribute to this regeneration through our curation of a world-class hub at the heart of the city.

“What we want to try and do is create a place where people can belong to something” Nick noted, “So we are very much about pulling creative people and creative businesses together within a community . . . and then hopefully watch the magic happen.”

Our Co-Founder recounted how upon an invitation to The Hepworth, Paul Kempe – the owner of Tileyard – came upon Rutland Mills, which would expand Tileyard to an extraordinary new space. Speaking on the 10-year success of Tileyard London, which now boasts over a thousand creatives, Nick went on to highlight how a northern location was key to building a place for the abundance of talent in this area.

In a project he describes as “very collaborative with the region”, as community builders, Tileyard North will capture creatives – from musicians, small independent businesses, video producers, games developers, makers and innovators – and pull talent from in and outside the region. 

Musiio – a music artificial-intelligence company and the first residents to join Tileyard North – are relocating from even further afield, moving half of their workforce from Singapore to Wakefield. Alongside bringing new talent to the district, their expansion into West Yorkshire will contribute to further job opportunities, writing an exciting story for their businesses growth.

From Tileyard Education and our investment into supporting talent and emerging artists in the creative landscape, Nick emphasises that Tileyard North will facilitate connections, build businesses, and offer employment in the sector.

With thanks to Wakefield Council and Leeds LEP for their ongoing support, Tileyard North will provide a setting for industry collaboration and increased opportunities for the region.