Welcome
We're starting a conversation with the people of Wakefield about the future of the part of the city around the Cathedral: a key area within our city centre.
This is bigger than just what our city centre looks like – it’s about what we want our city centre to offer, what experiences we want to have, how we want to use these spaces.
Your feedback is important and will help shape the vision, so it reflects the needs and aspirations of the local community.
The future is in our hands
Introducing our new partnership
Wakefield Council has partnered with Muse, a leading regeneration and placemaking specialist with a strong track record across the UK. Together, this partnership will help deliver a range of projects over the coming years.
Photos of previous schemes delivered by Muse
The bigger picture
A successful Wakefield needs a thriving city centre – a place that makes our residents feel proud, that strengthens our local economy and supports businesses and jobs.
The City Centre Masterplan (2022) was shaped through lots of consultation with residents and businesses. This gives us a long-term vision for our city centre – creating better leisure options, modern retail, new homes and lively public spaces.
Why change is needed
Over time, shopping habits have changed and this has reduced activity in this part of the city centre. Even with its great location and history, the area isn’t currently reaching its full potential as a lively, welcoming destination.
This part of the city centre includes important civic buildings, key shopping streets and residential buildings. The large structure of The Ridings dominates the space.
Why have we purchased The Ridings?
The Ridings has not been operating successfully for several years, despite investment. Several national retailers have plans to leave in the future, and it's unlikely that others will take their place.
Using funding from the UK Government, Wakefield Council was able to buy The Ridings shopping centre earlier this year.
This puts Wakefield in charge. We can decide together what we think a brighter future for this part of the city centre should include.
What’s clear is that change is needed, or this part of our city centre will continue to decline.
What could a new vision include?
We want to shape a vision for this part of the city centre in partnership with our residents and visitors.
We are genuinely listening – we want to understand what matters to you and what you would like to see.
Tell us how you feel about this area currently?
How can this area offer something that feels distinctive to Wakefield city centre?
Thinking about how this area could be improved, what matters most to you?
Get Involved
This first phase of engagement is open between Monday 13 July and Sunday 2 August 2026.
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 15 July | 1pm - 4pm |
| Thursday 16 July | 10am - 7pm |
| Friday 17 July | 10am - 4pm |
| Saturday 18 July | 11am - 3pm |
| Tuesday 21 July | 1pm - 4pm |
| Wednesday 22 July | 10am - 1pm |
| Thursday 23 July | 10am - 7pm |
| Friday 24 July | 10am - 4pm |
| Saturday 25 July | 11am - 3pm |
| Tuesday 28 July | 10am - 4pm |
| Wednesday 29 July | 10am - 4pm |
We are holding a series of drop-in sessions at our dedicated engagement unit at The Ridings, Floor 3, opposite Esquires Coffee, Cathedral Walk (WF1 1DS) at the following times:
Have a question?
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to get in touch with us via email: info@cathedralquarterwakefield.com or by phone: 0808 196 2826.
Tell us your views
We’re really keen to know what you think, so please do fill out our consultation questionnaire.
Next steps
Once you have contributed your thoughts, ideas and suggestions, we will come back with a list of your shared priorities.
In the meantime, we’ll be working with local businesses to keep this part of our city centre, including The Ridings, as busy as possible. We’re committed to working in partnership with local residents and businesses to deliver positive and lasting change.