Back in May, the team behind Whitelock's and The Turk's Head, the oldest pub in Leeds, acquired a new Meanwood property, East of Arcadia.
Since taking over, the new owners have invested a six-figure sum into the building to complete a full refurb and rebrand before reopening in September.
The acquisition was a new move for the company, who currently own pubs steeped in history. Whitelock’s first opened in 1715 and is locally known to be the oldest pub in Leeds, whilst The Turk’s Head was estimated to exist around the same era- named after the family that once owned the building.
East of Arcadia will become The Meanwood Tavern. / Image: East of Arcadia
Choosing the name The Meanwood Tavern, the pub is said to take inspiration from traditional British pubs, but offering a contemporary twist that will see a refreshed new site with all-new bar and seating areas, and capacity for up to 160 guests.
The tavern is going to have a particular focus on locality, bringing together a plentiful drinks menu with craft beers from Yorkshire and well-kept real ales, as well as a full selection of wines, spritz and a dedicated cocktail menu.
Ales from Whitelock's. / Image: Whitelock's Ale House
Taking over the kitchen, indie pizza operators Well Oiled will be showcasing the best of Detroit-style slices from October 2022.
Inspired by the unique American style of cooking pizzas in rectangular steel pans, Well Oiled also focuses on championing locals without compromising on quality. Think artisan-made slices topped with meats, veggies and flavours from local British producers and housemade fermented and pickled ingredients.
The Full Spec Pizza from Well Oiled. / Image: Supplied
Having sold the public on a series of successful pop-ups, Well Oiled will be topping their focaccia-style doughs with toppings aplenty. Take the Full Spec pizza for example, we're talking about Trealy Farm fennel salami, whipped ricotta, hot honey and pepper mash, whilst sharers include the brand’s signature garlic donut bread with a whole burrata centre, filled with turbo chimichurri.
A pooch therapy session is coming to Leeds where you can cuddle with a litter of adorable Dalmatian puppies.
If you're feeling down in the dumps and looking for a dopamine hit, then there's an event taking place in Leeds just for you.
Pooch Therapy offer a unique and heartwarming initiative dedicated to enhancing the lives of both puppies and humans through specially curated sessions.
Each event includes on hour of play and cuddles with the puppies and are designed to support the early socialisation of puppies while providing participants with a powerful boost to their mental wellbeing.
This Sunday 3 May, 13 Dalmatian puppies will be heading their way to The Woods in Chapel Allerton from 1-2pm for all your cuddling needs.
So get ready for cuddles, snuggles, wagging tails and plenty of spots.
Here's what Pooch Therapy say about the event: "These sessions aren’t just cute, they’re purposeful too. You’ll be helping the puppies through their final stages of socialisation before they head off to their forever homes, while giving yourself a moment to switch off, reset, and soak up some seriously wholesome energy.
"Participants in our sessions enjoy the scientifically backed benefits of animal-assisted therapy. Interacting with playful, affectionate puppies helps reduce stress, elevate serotonin and dopamine levels, and promote an overall sense of calm and happiness.
"Each public event is thoughtfully planned 2-7 weeks in advance to ensure a safe, enriching environment for both the puppies and participants. In addition, we run private events, from care homes, corporates to pop-stars dressing rooms, we deliver moments of joy, connection and wellbeing wherever we go."
Jarvis Cocker and Kim Sion to curate special art exhibition titled ‘The Hodge Podge’ at The Hepworth Wakefield
Clementine Hall
The Hepworth Wakefield is joining forces with Jarvis Cocker and his wife Kim Sion to create a one-of-a-kind art exhibition.
And it's got the best name ever, titled 'The Hodge Podge'.
This exciting new exhibition (opening in May 2027) will include artists who have challenged mainstream ideas about what can be considered 'art'.
It will invite unlikely conversations between artists such as Jeremy Deller, Peter Doig, Barbara Hepworth, Klara Kristalova, Emma Kunz, Mark Leckey and Agnes Pelton, as well as unknown outsider and visionary artists never exhibited before in UK public museums.
Focusing on alternative means of expression, the structures of class and how communities are able to come together outside of religious or high-brow contexts, Cocker and Sion are keen to explore alternative spiritualities, psychedelia, fandom, dreams, poetry and music.
Laura Smith, Artistic Director of The Hepworth Wakefield comments: "Jarvis Cocker has a long-held interest in art, attending St Martin’s College of Art & Design in the early 1990s, and as a Yorkshireman, felt like the ideal person to work with to consider a fresh way of thinking about and experiencing art.
"The art that he and Kim have gathered together in The Hodge Podge will encourage the feelings of joy, marvel and curiosity that great works of art can inspire and offer our audiences an expanded idea of creativity and community. We are thrilled to be working with Jarvis and Kim on this incredibly exciting exhibition."
In Cocker and Sion’s The Hodge Podge Manifesto, the couple state that te exhibition provides ‘an opportunity to understand where that creative urge comes from and what it can do for you… You’d be a fool to miss it.’
Tickets for The Hodge Podge: Jarvis Cocker & Kim Sion curate The Hepworth Wakefield go on sale later this year and you can find them here.
Sophie Smith -
10th August 2022 
