After two years of missing Pride celebrations off our calendars, we're so excited to see the return of Leeds Pride.
Leeds Pride has announced that Sunday 7 August 2022 will mark the 17th annual Pride event in the city centre.
Pride in Leeds is one of a very few free Pride events in the UK and in 2019 attracted over 65,000 people making it one of the biggest events held in the city centre, so you can bet that this year, the celebrations will be more exciting than ever before.
The news comes after the unveiling of 16 rainbow flag paving stones between The Calls and Lower Briggate in the Freedom Quarter of Leeds last week.
As a landmark occasion for Leeds, the return of Pride is huge news to the LGBT+ community, but the celebrations will still look slightly different than the pre-pandemic version.
No stalls or sponsorships have been announced just yet, but information is expected to become available in the coming weeks. Artists to perform at the event will be requested in May.
The biggest change will be to the parade. This year, the parade will be named the Robert Payne Parade and will have a new route added to it for 2022.
Image: Leeds Freedom Bridge, Twitter
Named after Robert Payne from Blayds Bar who sadly passed away in December 2021, many may remember Robert as 'Drag with no Frock' who worked tirelessly with husband Duncan to run Blayds Bar in Leeds for over ten years.
Husband Duncan and daughter Gemma are fundraising for Pride in Robert's memory on JustGiving.
"Robert was a huge supporter in Leeds Pride every year. We would like to help raise as much money as we can to an event that can be overlooked and seen as a party however it helps so many people. Leeds pride is an event that takes place every year in the lower part of Leeds city centre. We are asking everyone who knew Robert to donate if you can.
Image: Leeds Pride
Speaking about the return of Pride, Jonathon Pryor, Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council has said:
"Pride in Leeds is one of the most important events of the year. We are so proud to be a diverse and inclusive city, and Leeds Pride is always a great celebration of our LGBT+ community and our freedom of expression.
"Prides around the world began as a protest, a declaration that as LGBT+ people our lives are valid and should be celebrated. We must remember that being gay is still punishable by death in 7 countries and a further 70 will imprison citizens for their sexual orientation. Pride represents a sense of belonging, and a celebration of being accepted for being your authentic self.
"We have sorely missed this chance to celebrate fully over the past two years and we are so excited that Pride 2022 will be back to full strength!"
In another hit to the high streets, Claire's Accessories is shutting up shop across the UK and Ireland after entering into administration yet again.
Falling into an unfortunate financial status for the second time in less than a year, Claire's will be shutting down all of their standalone stores across Britain, along with their IE branches.
A total of 154 stores will soon disappear, with more than a thousand people set to be put out of work.
Once a mainstay up and down the country, the accessory shop known for all things jewellery, piercings and more has ceased trading effective immediately.
Announced at the start of the week and the end of the first full month of Q2, it was confirmed that Claire's closed their final locations on Monday, 27 April.
With administrators, Kroll, appointed to wrap up business proceedings, an estimated 1,300 English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh workers have now lost their jobs.
Founded in America way back in 1961, Claire's has enjoyed a presence across the Atlantic for more than three decades.
However, with various other contemporaries and cheaper online options having appeared over the years, they've struggled not just to remain profitable but to compete full stop.
They filed for bankruptcy in the US in August 2025 after having already concluded operations in Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
For many, the outcome isn't all that surprising, but it will nevertheless be a sad loss for many who have seen multiple generations visit these venues over the years.
Slam Dunk festival’s statement in full as director steps down amid sexual assault allegations
Daisy Jackson
Slam Dunk festival has shared a statement confirming one of its directors has stepped down, in the wake of sexual assault allegations.
The popular punk festival takes place next month across two sites, one of which is here in Leeds.
This year's line-up is set to include headline performances from the likes of Good Charlotte, Knocked Loose, Sublime, and Taking Back Sunday.
But Slam Dunk has been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week after allegations against one of its directors came to light.
Slam Dunk said in its statement, which did not get into specifics about the nature of the allegations, that the festival 'remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all employees, partners, and customers'.
They added that the director has stepped down, but 'strongly refutes' the allegations.
The statement then promised 'transparency and honesty' and said that more updates would be provided when appropriate.
Slam Dunk wrote: "We are aware of allegations published yesterday relating to one of our directors. We take these allegations seriously and understand that they may be distressing and hard to process for our community.
"Our Slam Dunk fans, staff, and artists are, as always, our top priority.
"While he strongly refutes these allegations, the director in question has agreed, in consultation with the board, to step down from Slam Dunk operations while this matter is ongoing.
"Slam Dunk remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all employees, partners, and customers.
"Our values and culture are fundamental to how we operate, and we are committed to upholding them.
"It would be inappropriate for us to comment further on an ongoing legal matter.
"However, we promise transparency and honesty to our Slam Dunk community and will provide updates when it is appropriate to do so."
Slam Dunk returns to Temple Newsam in Leeds on Sunday 24 May.
Sophie Smith -
22nd February 2022 
