affected by the mass industrial decline of the country in the post-war
period, and became characterised by unemployment and huge council estates.
Versatility enabled it to survive and it began to prosper in the 1980s, when
renovation of the centre and waterfront, and demolition of some of the worst
estates began. By the 1990s the city was reborn with wealth based on service
industries and commerce, the financial and legal centres making it the most
important city in the UK in these areas outside London. With the West Yorkshire
Playhouse, Royal Armouries, restoration of the Victoria Quarter and Corn
Exchange, the clean up of major historical buildings, the new Harvey Nichols
store and new bars, shops and restaurants - all in the mid 90s, the city was
truly on the move. The most recent Census (2001) shows Leeds with a population
of just over 715,000.
Today, Leeds is still one of the most
cosmopolitan, fast-growing, innovative and prosperous cities in the UK with
developments springing up by the week and new bars, boutiques, clubs and
restaurants seemingly more often, the two universities adding to the vibrancy,
and international eateries and shops. Today it is one of the most multicultural
cities in the country, with people of many different origins almost totally in
harmony.
