Fans of Scary Spice have been granted a rare opportunity to peek behind the scenes at the home life of Mel B.
The place she's called home for the past year has just gone up for sale, and you know we wanted to have a nosy at how the other half lives.
A Leeds lass herself, she rented Kings Lea for a year when she returned to Yorkshire after leaving her abusive ex-husband Stephen Belafonte.
Now she's upped sticks, giving fans the chance to look at her old pad and imagine the life she lives when she's off duty.
One of the reception rooms inside Mel B's former house
The five-bedroom, four-bathroom property off Smithy Land is now up for sale - and images online
The striking residence boasts a large pond within its stunning 1.6-acre grounds and spans a whopping 4,600 square feet inside.
Priced at a cool £1.4 million for the asking price, the huge house is set among acres of green belt between Bramhope, Cookridge and Horsforth and accessed via a private road close to Cookridge cricket club.
It is one of two detached luxury homes which are accessed initially from a shared private drive way which then splits off to the two private residences.
The property from the front, lit up at night
From the front, the expansive property is reminiscent of a modern American-style home: painted all in white, with an ornamental verandah. Set back from the road, it's well hidden and guarantees a good degree of privacy - something clearly valued by its former occupant.
Downstairs, there are four large reception rooms and a large high-spec kitchen/living/dining room with bi-folding doors that lead out onto a southern-facing sun trap terrace overlooking the grounds - one of several at the property.
Impressive mod cons inside include a Gaggenou indoor BBQ, a built-in aquarium and a log burning fire.
Upstairs, there are five large double rooms but Mel's old master suite is the most impressive: complete with walk-in wardrobe, gym/study, and a gorgeous en suite with walk-in shower and freestanding bath.
Better yet, the master bedroom also has a built-in Bose sound system and access to an elevated private terrace overlooking the grounds.
The master bedroom boasts a large en suite, gym, walk-in wardrobe and private roof terrace
The house bathroom, meanwhile, features another large walk-in shower and jacuzzi bathtub.
Just to sweeten the deal, all the bathrooms have underfloor heating too - no getting your toes cold here.
Elsewhere, there's a double garage with electric roller shutters and large hallway, downstairs WC and ground floor office space.
Viewings are being taken by appointment only from 3rd July. To view the full listing, click here.
Leeds
Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Georgina Pellant -
21st June 2021 
