The city centre is about to undergo a huge transformation.
Leeds city centre looks almost unrecognisable in new CGI images released by Leeds City Council this week.
The proposed facelift will see the space outside the train station transition into a pedestrian-friendly space with additional cycle lanes and relocation of the taxi rank.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The only vehicles allowed near the station upon completion will be service deliveries and emergency vehicles, which hopes to make the space safer for pedestrians and an improved experience for commuters arriving in Leeds.
The plans form part of the the Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme, with a whopping £39.5 million investment dedicated to giving a refurb of the areas surrounding the station.
The work is expected to be completed in its entirety in early 2024.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Leeds City Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for infrastructure and climate, said:
"As well as being part of the delivery of the Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme, the works will contribute to the transformative highways works being delivered across the city which will enable public transport, walking, cycling and public realm plans to be realised in the city."
"“We appreciate these works will cause some disruption and we are working to keep this to a minimum and we thank people in advance for their patience. However the works are essential in order to begin the major transformational work at the entrance to the station, and it’s important that we encourage people to plan ahead to reduce any affect it has on their journey."
Image: Leeds City Council
Due to the vast work ahead, Leeds City Council has warned of additional traffic expected around the area- particularly as both Bishopgate Street and Neville Street will both be reduced down to a single lane for all traffic travelling into the city centre.
Leeds City Council has commented: "The lane closures are expected to last until the end of the year, and come ahead of proposed work to close City Square to through traffic, which is expected to begin from later this year subject to final approval."
"Motorists who would normally drive into the city using these roads are encouraged to plan their journeys and consider alternative ways to travel."
The UK Aids Memorial Quilt is set to go on display across Wakefield this summer.
The quilt - consisting of 42 quilts and 23 individual panels, representing over 384 individuals affected by HIV and AIDS - will go on display at WX Wakefield from Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 June 2026.
All 42 quilts will be on display, with WX working in partnership with the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Conservation Partnership.
Across the same weekend, selected individual panels will be displayed at different venues across the city including The Hepworth Wakefield, The Art House Wakefield, Theatre Royal Wakefield, Pontefract Castle and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Part of the world’s largest community art project, this is a huge opportunity for the city of Wakefield. The project started in the USA back in 1985 by activist Cleve Jones, commemorating friends, family and loved ones lost to AIDS.
Individual panels were then stitched together to create larger quilts, which were shown outdoors as a form of protest to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.
Today, the quilt stands as a crucial reminder of those who were lost and of the continuing affect that HIV and AIDS has on the people of today.
At WX Wakefield, viewing the quilt is completely free and on Friday 5 June there will be a special late night opening up until 10:30pm to view the exhibition.
And on Saturday 6 June at 2:30pm, there will be a very special and poignant reading of the names of those commemorated on the quilt.
Featured image - UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, installation view at Tate Modern, June 2025. Photo: AM Hanson
Leeds
Leeds’ first frozen yoghurt bar is opening in Headingley this weekend
Clementine Hall
The frozen yoghurt craze is on its way to Leeds as Kefiyo is set to open in Headingley in just a few days.
It's a phenomenon that has caught the attention of the TikTok and Instagram girlies as of late, with frozen yoghurt bars popping up in Manchester and going viral online.
The ice cold sweet treat is supposedly 'healthy' and with a slogan of 'eat Clean. feel Light. live Better.' - this new spot in Leeds seems to be going down that route too.
Kefiyo will be opening in the old Sixes site on Ash Road in Headingley, and they've just announced that they'll be soft launching this Sunday 19 April 2026.
The space is already sporting a super cute pastel green and pink exterior, and it's exactly matching the aesthetic that you'd expect with froyo.
Kefiyo will offer a range of frozen yoghurt flavours with a whole bunch of toppings for you to customise to your tastebuds, as well as fresh acai bowls.
Situated slap bang in the centre of Headingley, we've got a feeling it'll be very busy with students on their way to their morning lecture or at night for those looking for a sweet treat that doesn't feel too naughty.
We'll keep you updated on more Kefiyo updates as and when we find out.
But in the meantime, you can keep an eye on their socials here. We'll see you soon for a scoop Leeds.
Sophie Smith -
18th May 2022 
