As the nation's revellers count down to restriction-free partying on July 19, one nightclub in Leeds isn't planning on wasting any more time than is strictly necessary.,
The Backroom on Call Lane is preparing to open its doors at one minute past midnight for an epic "freedom" party they're calling "Leeds BIG re-opening party".
Taking to social media to share the news, the nightclub said on Facebook:
"If you haven’t already booked Monday off work yet, this is your friendly reminder to get that holiday request in now, because we PROMISE you do not want to miss this one!"
Inside The Backroom on Call Lane in Leeds / Image: The Backroom
“We aren’t waiting until Monday night and we don’t think you should either! Be sure to join us for a night of good music, dancing and good vibes.”
Promising a solid selection of hip hop, house and smooth r&b rhythms, DJs Dan Hills, Chris Powell and friends will take to the decks to provide the selections throughout the early-hours of the morning.
Inside The Backroom on Call Lane in Leeds / Image: The Backroom
The nightclub will be open until 6am, giving punters a solid nearly six hours of partying as they ring in the early hours of what has been dubbed "freedom day".
The Backroom said: “After 16 months closed WE WILL 1000% be re-opening.”
It's' been a tough time for nightclubs and other members of the late-night events sector, who were the first to close and are now the last to reopen.
The 'Big reopening party' takes place on July 19, starting at 00:01 / Image: The Backroom
Plans for the lifting of remaining restrictions on July 19 were confirmed by the Prime Minister on Monday 12, with him addressing a press conference from the briefing room inside Downing Street.
He said he would: “lift legal restrictions and to lift social distancing, but we expect and recommend that people wear a face-covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you come into contact with those you don’t normally meet, such as on public transport.”
"As a matter of social responsibility we’re urging nightclubs and other venues with large crowds to make use of the NHS Covid Pass which shows proof of vaccination, recent negative test or natural immunity, as a means of entry.”
Popular vintage store brand Glass Onion is returning to Leeds with a brand-new permanent site.
Following the huge success of its temporary pop up shop in Leeds Trinity, Glass Onion is coming back with a bang and expanding into a larger, two-floor space in Leeds city centre.
They'll be taking over the old Levi's jeans unit on Lands Lane and will be opening on Wednesday 18 March, so we really don't have long to wait.
Customers can shop Leeds' best collection of sustainable vintage clothing with every piece hand selected for store at their Yorkshire HQ.
Images: The Sheff
Shop from an expertly curated mix of all your vintage favourites, including Y2K, techwear, workwear, sportswear, boho, and loads more.
The store will also feature big-name brands like The North Face, Nike, Levi’s, Adidas, and Harley Davidson, along with an exclusive Rare Archive section - home to some of Glass Onion’s rarest vintage finds.
Glass Onion’s journey began in 2005, when founder John started selling vintage clothing out of his grandma’s coal shed in Barnsley. They opened their first retail store in Sheffield in 2019, quickly becoming a local favourite and their commitment to quality and sustainability has earned them “Best Indie Retailer in Sheffield” and “Best Vintage Retailer in Sheffield” at the Exposed Magazine Awards for three consecutive years.
To celebrate the exciting launch, Glass Onion are offering free VIP tickets where shoppers will be treated to first entry as well as freebies and vouchers from Leeds indies and entry into a competition to win a £100 Glass Onion voucher to spend on the launch day.
Leeds Pride 2026 announces dates and first wave of acts for 20th anniversary celebration this summer
Clementine Hall
Leeds Pride has confirmed the dates for its 2026 festival, which will mark the event’s 20th anniversary this summer.
And you bet that organisers are pulling out all the stops.
The city-wide celebration champions local LGBTQ+ talent alongside world-class headline acts, and this year for the first time ever, celebrations will be held across two days on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July 2026.
Headlining the main stage will be Strictly Come Dancing Icon and RuPaul’s Drag Race Star La Voix, Charlie XCX tribute performer Rachel Fuller and International Eurodance act Livin Joy.
Image: Supplied
Joining them will be The Harry Styles Show and UK dance act Sweet Female Attitude. More acts and performers are due to be revealed in the coming months.
The announcement was made at the official Leeds Pride pre-festival campaign launch, held at Crowdedhouse and attended by Emmerdale’s Bradley Riches, sports star Keegan Hirst, council leaders and supporters of the annual event.
Leeds Pride will also feature a full weekend of diverse events, including the Leeds Pride Drag Brunch Fest, street parties across the city and of course the iconic Pride parade, which is set to be even bigger and better than ever before.
A Leeds Pride spokesperson said: "We're incredibly excited to celebrate 20 years of Leeds Pride. This milestone anniversary represents two decades of bringing our community together, championing LGBTQ+ voices and creating unforgettable moments.
Images: Supplied
“Leeds Pride is growing and stronger than ever and we're committed to giving Northern LGBTQ+ performers a platform to shine. This 20th anniversary festival will be our biggest and best yet, but as we expand, we need public and sponsor support more than ever to make our vision a reality. We're calling on businesses and individuals to get behind Leeds Pride and help us deliver an incredible celebration that our community deserves.
“Expanding to two days for the first time shows just how far we've come, and we can't wait to welcome everyone back to Leeds this summer for what will be our most spectacular Pride yet."
More details will be announced soon and you can find out more here on the Leeds Pride website.
Georgina Pellant -
14th July 2021 
