Earlier this week, the dinosaur trail set-up saw some of Leeds' favourite creatures come to life in the early hours of the morning.
Some of the prehistoric creatures were craned in, whilst others appeared to find their way around Trinity all by themselves.
Get ready to find twelve of these enormous creatures for yourself around Leeds this summer: the Leeds Jurassic Trail opens this weekend, where you can hunt down life-size dinosaurs at different locations throughout the city.
Image: Supplied
The family friendly dino trail will be kicking off in Leeds on Saturday 30 July 2022.
There will be 12 speciality built, life-size beasts dotted around the city for children to seek out and explore. To track them you can pick up a free trail programme across Leeds or use the digital map which can be found here on their website.
Children’s TV star, Andy Day will be the voice of the trail, giving key facts about many of the creatures on digital displays located around the city centre, alongside the dinosaurs.
Image: Leeds Jurassic Trail
Included in the 12 will be a whopping 14.5 metre-long roaring Spinosaurus that will be inhabiting the dock at Granary Wharf, with its toes dipping in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
Event organisers, LeedsBID, have said it is the first of it's kind in this country and will be a spectacle not to be missed.
Image: Leeds Jurassic Trail
The full list of dinosaurs and their locations are as follows:
The trail will run from Saturday 30 July to Sunday 4 September 2022 and special events will be held throughout that period including live Jurassic entertainment held on Briggate and Lands Lane every Saturday on Sunday.
John Lewis will be hosting story time adventures and baby dino hatchery events on certain dates. For more information, take a look at their website.
Feature image: Leeds Jurassic Trail
News
England World Cup semi-final to be shown at Leeds’ Millennium Square as giant fanzone announced
Football's coming home to Millennium Square as England take on Argentina in the World Cup semi-final.
If you're still looking for a spot to cheer on the boys in the football this Wednesday then hang fire, because Leeds City Council have got us covered.
Following the Three Lions’ triumphant victory against Norway on Saturday evening, the council have announced that Millennium Square will host a World Cup 2026 fanzone at the heart of Leeds city centre.
Supporters will have the chance to cheer on star boy Jude Bellingham and the team with all the action shown live on a high-definition giant LED screen with concert style sound, all set within a bespoke outdoor arena.
Two large bars and street food concessions will be provided on site together with toilet and drinking water facilities.
Entry is strictly by advance ticket only and is a standing only event. Gates open at 6pm with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST with live DJ pre match entertainment.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy said “The whole country is behind England and it’s fantastic that fans will have the chance to come together and enjoy this incredible occasion in the open air at the heart of the city centre.
"The atmosphere on Millennium Square is always a one-of-a-kind and probably the closest you can get to being there. Leeds is a city that’s always had a massive passion for sport, and I know the fans will do England proud as we cheer them on in what will hopefully be another memorable win.”
Tickets are priced at £6 per person an go on sale at 10am on Monday 13 July via www.millsqleeds.com.
Plans to turn one of Leeds’ most historic buildings into padel courts approved
Clementine Hall
One of Leeds’ most iconic buildings is set to be brought back to life.
Plans for a brand-new padel and leisure destination at The Roundhouse on Wellington Road have been approved by Leeds City Council’s West Plans Panel.
Consent has been granted for Ollo Padel to transform the Grade II* listed Roundhouse into a state-of-the-art sport, fitness, food, drink and community venue subject to conditions and completion of a Section 106 agreement.
Built in 1847 for the Leeds and Thirsk Railway Company, The Roundhouse was once home to the steam locomotives that powered industrial Victorian Leeds. In recent years, the building has stood largely unused.
Image: Supplied
The approved plans will restore and protect the landmark building and give the site a new, long-term future as one of the city’s most distinctive leisure destinations.
The three-acre site, located on the edge of Leeds city centre, will include nine outdoor doubles padel courts under a 10-metre canopy, plus a dedicated indoor coaching court within The Roundhouse itself.
At the heart of the site will be the Ollo Clubhouse; built around an all-day kitchen and bar, it will combine a comfortable lounge and co-working space, meeting rooms and live sport and events spaces.
The kitchen and bar will be run in partnership with Southbank Provisions, the independent Leeds hospitality team behind Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Galleria whilst the gym will be operated by fitness and performance specialists Northbound, who will bring strength and conditioning practice, Hyrox training and pilates classes to The Roundhouse.
Image: Supplied
Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the venue aiming to open in early 2027.
Luke Gidney, Founder & CEO Ollo Padel: "This is a huge day for Leeds, for The Roundhouse and for Ollo. The Roundhouse has been part of the city’s story for nearly 180 years. It’s an incredible building but it needs people, energy and purpose again. Our plan is to bring it back to life as a place where people can play, eat, work, meet friends and feel part of something.
"Padel is growing so quickly because it’s fun, social and easy to pick up. But for us, this is about more than just the courts. We want Ollo to become a proper community destination for Leeds, somewhere welcoming, joyful and full of life.
"We’re incredibly grateful to Leeds City Council’s planning team, our case officer, the wider council team and everyone who has supported the project to this point. This has been a complex project but the sport and engagement throughout has been brilliant. Now the real work starts and we cannot wait to open the doors for you.”
The Hoot -
7th July 2022 
