A new Netflix movie has been filming right under our noses this week.
Images have surfaced online of the filming of new Netflix movie 'Bank of Dave' in Leeds city centre this week.
British actors Rory Kinnear, known best for his role as M in James Bond and Game of Throne's Joel Fry were both spotting filming the new movie inside Central Square of Wellington Street this Saturday.
Mirroring Canary Wharf, the office building was transformed into the Financial Regulatory Board to film scenes for Netflix movie Bank of Dave.
The up-and-coming blockbuster is capturing the life events of Dave Fishwick, a self-made millionaire that shot to fame in the Channel 4 series Bank of Dave.
Central Square commented: "Another exciting day today at Central Square with Netflix filming scenes from the upcoming movie Bank of Dave, starring Rory Kinnear (Skyfall, Penny Dreadful) and Joel Fry (Game of Thrones, Cruella).
"We were picked as they wanted a building Leeds that looked like it was in Canary Wharf and we fitted the billSo for one day only we are the offices of the Financial Regulation Board."
Image: Central Square Leeds
Back in 2011, Dave set up his own bank in his home town of Burnley, Lancashire to help inject much-needed life into local businesses and to prove that banks can be socially responsible by donating any profits to charity. The story is now going to be warming the hearts of Netflix viewers when it is released as a full-length movie.
Rory Kinnear has been settling into the role of Dave Fishwick, whilst other members of cast have had their roles in the storyline kept under wraps. The cast includes Game of Throne's Joel Fry and Paul Kaye, Bridgerton's Phoebe Dynevor; TV's Jo Hartley and Peaky Blinders' Jean-Pascal Heyneman to name a few.
More information is expected to be released closer to the post-production phase of the movie and whilst it's unclear whether further filming will commence in Leeds, we're sure that our city would be delighted to see the return of British actors aplenty.
Because one Fern Modern Sushi wasn't enough, we've now got two.
And guess what? It's even better than the first.
Fern Modern Sushi located in the unassuming Central Arcade has become a firm foodie favourite after opening just a couple years ago.
Run by the wonderful Chef Fern, who you could say is somewhat of a local celebrity at this point, the restaurant is known for serving delicious sushi with the freshest fish possible and traditional Japanese dishes with modern flair.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Full with hungry punters no matter the time of day, it's no surprise that Chef Fern has just opened Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 on Park Row.
This beautiful new space is serving up all the classic Fern dishes, from stacked donburi bowls and perfectly rolled sushi to miso glazed cod and hearty bowls of ramen.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Different for this location, though, is their exclusive cocktail menu - so you can wine and dine to your heart's content.
The interior has also levelled up, complete with a huge open kitchen so you can pull up a chair and eat whilst watching the magic happen.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And this isn't all that Chef Fern is up to, after opening Tori Nori on Vicar Lane a few months ago this will be her third restaurant in the city centre, and that is no easy feat.
She's even got another restaurant imminently opening in the Central Arcade which will be focused on traditional katsu dishes, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if she had something else lined up in the pipeline.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 officially opens on 19 November, but is open now for soft launch with limited bookings.
Independent Leeds matcha stand forced to close by council despite 3,000 people signing petition
Clementine Hall
An independent matcha stand in Leeds has been forced to closed due to council concerns.
You may remember back in August when the whole of Leeds rallied to save Sips Matcha over in Headingley.
The front garden matcha spot has become a firm favourite for students and locals alike over the past year, gaining more than 12,000 followers on Instagram.
The self-proclaimed 'tiniest matcha stand in Leeds' is located in the residential area of Little Woodhouse and is run by the lovely Matt and Julia.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
However, in August their retroactive planning application was rejected by the council and they were given 28 days to remove the shed.
In a published document via Leeds City Council website, multiple reasons were listed for the decision to refuse planning permission for the bright-green matcha shed.
The electronic letter signed by Martin Elliot, Chief Planning Officer, listed spoiling the property's character, increased footfall, and a failure to comply with numerous development and design policies.
In response, Matt and Julia launched a petition urging people to save Sips Matcha, labelling the painted wooden shed-turned-coffee shop as a 'Community Stand'.
Despite over 3,000 signatures, Sips Matcha have announced on their social media today that the shed must be removed by the end of November.
The statement reads: "our retrospective planning was declined, we appealed, and the appeal was dismissed. then the dreaded email arrived: the shed has to come down by the end of november.
"we don’t have all the answers yet, but we’re working out what happens next. over 3,000 of you signed the petition and it meant the world. thank you for every sip, share and signature. come say hi while we’re still here."
We're absolutely gutted for them, so make sure you pop by for a matcha before the end of November to give them a proper farewell.
Sophie Smith -
24th March 2022 
