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I have spent decades living in Leeds, and for those who do not know Leeds well, Beeston and Holbeck is located just south of the city centre, within walking distance for most people. It was once an industrial hub, and in some places still has a certain historic charm. Neighbourhoods from the industrial era have transformed into an inner city neighbourhood that has seen significant change over the last few decades, including from immigration.

 

It is not a ‘new’ community - it was known as Bestone in the Domesday Book, and there is history of a settlement taking back to Old English times. It remained a village until the Victorian era, when the neighbouring districts of Holbeck and Hunslet saw a growth of industry due to their proximity to the canals and city centre. Beeston then transformed into a working class community, and it has remained that way ever since.

 

In recent years there has been a change to the cultural scene in Beeston, much of it driven by immigration - the area is around 60% white British - but there are still a litany of independent shops, small businesses and services that you have always been able to find in places like this, and some of these businesses have been going for many years and are treasured parts of the area.

 

As many people who live in Leeds know, Beeston and its neighbouring parts of South Leeds have had large amounts of bad press. Holbeck of course is notorious for the ‘managed zone’ introduced by the council, which led to major issues with prostitution in that area. Beeston has over recent years been known for issues with violent crime, drug abuse and raids, theft, and if people cast their mind back to 2007, the fact that two of the 7/7 bombers came from the area around Tempest Road.

 

The negative reputation affecting Beeston isn’t, of course, groundless, but at the same time after over 20 years living in Beeston, I love the place in spite of these issues. Many others here feel the same way as well, and even though they know that there are major problems that need fixing, Beeston is still their home. When I went out and did the two questionnaires (which you can read about in the Leeds Branch reports in this paper), I talked to people about the various problems in Beeston and what the solutions could be. I was humbled by the local response, which was overwhelmingly positive, and that was from people of various ethnic and religious groups, who were more than happy to share their views on the questions asked.

 

There is much to be proud of in our community both in the present in the past. Like any community wherever you live, it is not tainted by its problems and tribulations, instead what matters is the way that people come together to fight against those problems. What we are doing now with the outreach, the food delivery, the promotion of a new way of doing things politically, is another example of working to fight against those problems.

 

For sure, we face our fair share of battles, but we face them as a community, and on that basis, I am confident that Beeston can make a good future for itself.

 

By David Smaller

Leeds Branch Leader