Who Pays for a Hospitable City? | LIFITV

What does it really take to make a city welcoming — and who ultimately pays the price?

For the latest episode of LIFITV, we sat down with Zoe Hands, Joanna Reeve and Andrew Cooper from LeedsBID following their thought-provoking main stage discussion Who Picks Up the Tab for a Hospitable City?. Fresh from the stage, the conversation digs deeper into the pressures facing hospitality at a critical moment for towns and cities across the UK.

Hospitality is a cornerstone of urban life. Employing more than 3.5 million people and contributing £140bn to the UK economy, the sector plays a vital role in city-centre vibrancy, tourism and cultural identity. Yet rising operating costs, national insurance increases, staffing challenges and looming tax changes are placing unprecedented strain on businesses — from independent bars and restaurants to international hotel groups.

In this candid post-talk conversation, the panel reflects on hospitality as a long-term career, with Zoe drawing on over 30 years in the hotel industry, alongside Joanna Reeve’s insights into the evolving tourism landscape. From attracting inward investment to sustaining grassroots venues, the discussion explores what a truly hospitable city should look like — and how we ensure it remains viable for the people who make it thrive.

Watch the full LIFITV episode below, where the conversation continues beyond the stage and into the realities shaping the future of our cities.