Ambitious plans to regenerate Wakefield city centre are accelerating, with Wakefield Council set to formalise its partnership with Muse – one of the UK’s leading placemaking and regeneration specialists. This announcement marks the next phase in delivering the city’s long-term transformation, starting with the Cathedral Quarter and Borough Road.
These changes are part of the wider Wakefield City Centre Masterplan and supported by the Towns Deal investment, which aims to create a more vibrant, connected, and economically thriving Wakefield.
As Chair of the Wakefield High Street Taskforce, Wakefield BID Chief Executive Thomas Wales has been instrumental in shaping the city’s strategic vision. The Taskforce continues to oversee the delivery of Towns Fund projects, working alongside local stakeholders to ensure regeneration reflects the needs of our communities and businesses.
“This is a pivotal moment for Wakefield. Through the High Street Taskforce and Wakefield BID, we’re working to ensure regeneration is not just about buildings, but about people – creating a city centre where businesses thrive, communities connect, and residents feel proud to call home. Working with Muse brings added strength to that vision, and we’re committed to ensuring businesses are heard and involved throughout the process.”
— Thomas Wales, Chief Executive of Wakefield BID and Chair of the Wakefield High Street Taskforce
The next chapter for Wakefield includes:
- New high-quality, affordable city centre homes
- A reimagined Cathedral Quarter with new public realm and green space
- Better connectivity between key locations like the city centre and Wakefield Waterfront
- Demolition of outdated sites (including the Wilko building) to make way for new uses
- Improved retail and leisure offer to support day and night-time economies
- A focus on heritage, culture, and public engagement
Muse’s involvement as Strategic Regeneration Partner will help drive momentum, ensuring delivery at pace and scale. Public consultation will be a key part of shaping the final proposals, with Wakefield BID ensuring city centre businesses are included every step of the way.
