Ananova - made in Leeds

In the 'Calls Area' - a chic part of the new Leeds - media and new technology dominate. More than 10,000 people are employed in the industry which handles over a third of all the UK's internet traffic.

And most of that traffic comes into the headquarters of Energis Squared, the internet arm of its telecoms parent group Energis.

Managing Director John Beaumont, says the company's ability to handle that volume of e-mail packages is partly because of the unique qualities of the city.

"Costs are attractive in terms of property, although as the city has become more attractive, particularly office space is now starting to get not quite to London levels but it is quite high."

"I think its relatively good for commuting, so the commuting belt for people at Energis Squared its not just the greater Leeds area but people come from across the Pennines, up from Teesside and down in South Yorkshire."

First Direct is the company that brought us telephone banking in 1989.

Its 24 hour call centre is the biggest single employer in Leeds.

But with more than 20 call centres now based there, all competing for staff, First Direct's Internet and banking manager Tim Basford says the city may be becoming a victim of its own success.

"As companies look to expand they look at the cost base in a particular city if this phenomenal success rate carries on, and those costs start to increase, future decisions may be based on that cost base and other towns and cities might come into the reckoning more."

There is no doubt that Leeds is once again confident about itself, but for a city that has already seen two major industries disappear, the hope must be that the e-commerce business is here to stay.