"My motto is, ‘If my mam won’t eat it, then we won’t sell it" says Butcher Malcolm Leary, who has worked in Kirkgate market almost every day since he was just fourteen.
Today he is a bit of a local legend and a very much part of the furniture at the market, where he's worked now for four decades.
A much-loved part of the community, Malcolm is known as the guy who'll help anybody, and is often doing outreach work.
At Christmas, he set up a huge cube outside his butchers and asked his customers to donate new toys to give to children whose families were impacted by addiction - raising £15,000 worth of toys.
He also did a ‘Get Your Kit Off’ campaign to encourage people to donate their unwanted clothes to charity, even getting the Leeds Rhinos team involved to donate some of their actual kits with names and numbers on.
The popular butcher also hosts daily coffee mornings for the homeless outside his shop, giving out 20 free drinks and food every day.
He's got a big heart and, for him, it's all about giving back to the market that helped him to turn his life around.
When he was a young lad he was given a second chance by his boss after messing around, and never looked back. Now he's on a mission to pay it forward, having worked his way up the ranks from washing trays on Saturdays to being co-owner.
“It honestly saved me,” Malcolm said about the market. “It’s saved a lot of people. That’s important.
"I employ ex young offenders, people from broken homes, and people who have had a tough time."
“As long as I see something in them - if they’re a little bit cheeky and have that market quality - then I’ll give them a job.
“The only condition is that they work hard and don’t get involved in the wrong things.”
As well as being famous in Leeds for his charitable giving, he's also a bit of a local celebrity in his own right.
With over 15,000 followers on Instagram alone, Malcolm Michaels Butchers is very well known in the city - thanks in part to the hilarious content he posts with best friend and colleague Danny Malin of Rate My Takeaway fame.
“Danny’s the celebrity, but I would say I’m the most famous butcher in Leeds - and I don’t think other butcher’s would argue with that.”
You can find Malcom Michaels Butchers in Kirkgate market and follow them on Instagram here.
Feature image - Malcom Michaels Butchers.
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Crossed Wires festival brings huge £6.6m boost to Sheffield as its impact is revealed
The world's biggest podcast festival, Crossed Wires, continues its magnificent rise in just its third year.
It's safe to say that the festival has had its landmark year, with this year's independent economic assessment confirming the 2026 festival generated £6.65 million in total economic impact.
After doubling footfall to a whopping 50,000 attendees in 2026, the festival has further cemented its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing cultural festivals.
Alongside its strong local community roots, it may come as a surprise that just over half (52%) of festivalgoers travelled from outside of South Yorkshire, with 40% outside the UK North and Midlands.
Image: Supplied
It's amazing news for the festival which launched just three years ago and has rapidly evolved from an ambitious start-up festival into a nationally significant event.
South Yorkshire's Mayor, Oliver Coppard said: "When we backed Crossed Wires in its early days, we knew South Yorkshire had the talent, creativity and ambition to make something truly special. What's happened since has been incredible.
"Tens of thousands of people have come to our region, filling venues, supporting local businesses and bringing millions of pounds into our economy. That's good news for Sheffield and for our communities right across South Yorkshire."
Images: Supplied
Co-Founder Dino Sofos, said: “We’re delighted to see Crossed Wires become one of South Yorkshire’s biggest cultural events in just three years. There’s a real buzz around the festival, and reaching 50,000 attendees while generating over £6million for the local economy this year shows the scale of what we’ve created - and its potential to grow even further."
We can't wait to see the future of Crossed Wires festival, and we're already looking forward to the next instalment taking place from 1 - 4 July 2027. We'll see you there.
Cult burger brand Burgerism opens takeaway outside of Manchester in a Leeds suburb
Clementine Hall
The North West’s most ordered burger has landed in Leeds, and it’s easy to see why it’s loved by so many.
If you don't know about Burgerism, then get to know.
The iconic burger brand, which started life as a dark kitchen off an industrial estate in Salford, is now almost ready to welcome fans into its first Leeds location.
Set to open tomorrow – Wednesday 23 September – Burgerism will be serving up their signature smash burgers from a new site over in Meanwood.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The site sits right next to The Meadwood Tavern on Meanwood Road, the perfect location for if you're out and about and looking for a bit of grub after a few pints.
The interior is sporting the bright Burgerism orange, and although it is mainly a takeaway restaurant there are a few seats for sit-in.
You’ll be able to order your food at the counter, via self-service kiosks, or through click-and-collect on the Burgerism website.
Images: The Hoot leeds
Highlights on the menu will, as always, include the fan-favourite Cheesed (two smashed patties, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and the brand’s signature sauce, served in a seeded brioche bun), as well as a range of chicken burgers, fries, and wings.
Everything is made fresh to order, and even their sauces and dips are made entirely in-house.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And the good stuff doesn't stop there, as to celebrate the grand opening they'll be giving away the first 100 customers from 5pm a 'Comeback Card' where you'll eat on them during your next visit. So get there early if you don't want to miss out
The Meanwood site will be the sixth Burgerism site following its five openings elsewhere in Greater Manchester.
Georgina Pellant -
4th June 2021 
