Millennium Square, Leeds

As a key public space in Leeds’ Civic Quarter, Millennium Square was originally developed as a flagship project to mark the turn of the millennium. Surrounded by iconic landmarks—including Civic Hall, The Electric Press, and Leeds City Museum—it remains a cultural focal point for the city.

With a capacity of up to 5,000 people, Millennium Square hosts major events such as Leeds Light Night—the UK’s largest annual arts and light festival—as well as performances from world-renowned artists like Meat Loaf, Kaiser Chiefs, and Simple Minds. Given its significance as an events venue, a state-of-the-art lighting system was essential to enhance safety, security, and adaptability. To support the regeneration of Millennium Square, Leeds City Council partnered with Urbis Schréder to deliver a cutting-edge connected lighting solution. 

Customised Control for Seamless Event Management

To ensure smooth event management, Leeds City Council required a user-friendly control management system (CMS) with simple yet powerful lighting control. Urbis Schréder implemented the Schréder’s EXEDRA platform, featuring a bespoke dashboard designed specifically for the council’s needs. The system includes three pre-set lighting modes for effortless operation:

• On – 100% light output for events
• Off – 0% light output
• Calendar – Lighting class C1 (30 lux) during regular operation

This intuitive interface allows the Leeds City Council events team to manage lighting seamlessly, while street lighting engineers maintain full dashboard access for day-to-day operations. As part of the service level agreement, Urbis Schréder provided onsite training and demonstrations to ensure the team could confidently operate the system.

With remote access via Schréder's EXEDRA app, lighting can be adjusted instantly from any connected mobile device, enabling fast responses to on-the-ground requirements and improving operational efficiency.

Stylish and Functional Lanterns for a Cohesive Aesthetic

To illuminate Millennium Square while maintaining its architectural integrity, Urbis Schréder selected a combination of NEOS GEN2 and VALINTA lanterns—ensuring both high performance and visual harmony with the surrounding area.

• NEOS GEN2 lanterns, designed for area lighting, deliver high-performance optics and efficient light distribution, meeting safety requirements. These sleek, modern fittings were finished in pure white to complement the Leeds Civic Hall and plaza aesthetic.
• 33 NEOS lanterns, mounted on columns (with up to three fittings per pole), are all connected to Schréder EXEDRA via 7-pin NEMA nodes for full remote control.
• Smaller NEOS lanterns provide emergency lighting in case of power outages.

Additionally, six decorative VALINTA lanterns were discreetly recessed into the ‘Off Kilter’ sculpture, an architectural installation by Richard Wilson that houses a light and sound control tower linked to the performance space. These lanterns mimic theatrical spotlights, enhancing the event atmosphere and reinforcing Millennium Square’s identity as a premier cultural venue.

Finished in pure white to seamlessly blend with the square’s surroundings, these lanterns not only enhance illumination levels but also improve visibility, security, and the overall visitor experience.

A Bright Future for Millennium Square

Adam Flesher, Electrical Team Leader at Leeds City Council, praised the installation, stating:

I was at the first event on Wednesday evening and can confirm the lights came on perfectly when the command was sent via the platform. I would just like to thank you all for your efforts and accommodating the system to the events team’s request.

With this adaptable, intelligent lighting system, Millennium Square now offers a safer, more engaging environment—enhancing both daily use and large-scale events. Leeds continues to shine as a city of innovation, sustainability, and cultural excellence.