The BACIL Awards 2022 are set to return bigger and better than ever this year after a two-year hiatus.
BACIL (Business Against Crime in Leeds) is a dedicated organisation protecting businesses both in retail and the night-life industry in Leeds.
Their aim is to make the city a safer place for both consumers and staff who work in the hospitality and retail sectors.
The awards were created back in 2015 to recognise outstanding achievements and shine a light on the businesses that consistently go the extra mile.
The awards for both the daytime and night-time sector include best security team, best national venue, best independent venue, best BACIL partnership, and outstanding BACIL contribution.
BACIL launched in 2005 in partnership with the West Yorkshire Police, Leeds City Council and Safer Leeds. They now have over 420 members who strive to prevent and reduce criminality and antisocial behaviour on the streets of Leeds.
The BACIL awards 2022 will take place on Monday 10 October at one of Leeds’ most historic venues, the Faversham, and will be hosted by former LDC Radio Leeds presenters Terry George and Drag Queen Precious McMichael’s.
Image: Supplied
Seal Walker, head of BACIL, said: “BACIL and its members play a vital part in the reduction of crime in our city, by working together and sharing information, they help prevent crime with the overall aim of creating a safer city-centre in which to live, work and play.
"BACIL also works closely with Leeds City Pubwatch, which is a voluntary organisation set up to promote partnership working & best practice for pubs, bars & club premises. Its aim is to achieve a safer drinking environment in all licensed premises throughout the UK."
This year the awards will adopt a more informal approach, incorporating a relaxing, fun and interactive atmosphere which will bring light to an industry that has faced such hardship over the past couple of years.
Image: Supplied
The awards have been sponsored by NDML, leading specialist insurance brokers for nightclubs, bars, pubs, restaurants, and hotels.
Victoria Romero - Trigo, director of NDML said: "We are proud to be supporting this year’s awards. Our business is all about protecting the night-time industry. It's been a really tough couple of years for the sector, and so the awards are the perfect way to celebrate the great work the people in the hospitality industry have achieved and continue to do so.”
The BACIL awards will support the Leeds Community Foundation as their nominated charity this year; to date the awards have raised over £7,000 for supported charities in the city since 2015.
Read more about the amazing organisation and their work here.
Leeds United have provided a positive update regarding the plans to upgrade Elland Road, which should serve as both a relief and a bit of Christmas stocking fillers for fans.
Following their fantastic 4-1 win over Crystal Palace last week, The Whites have delivered even more good news, with the application to the City Council to expand their home stadium said to be making progress.
Announcing the latest developments in a press release on Tuesday, 23 December, Leeds have now revealed more information about the project.
While full planning permission is still yet to be granted - though the general consensus seems to be one of confidence - matchgoers now have more clarification on what the renovations will mean for them.
🏟️ #LUFC is pleased to share further information regarding the planning application submitted to Leeds City Council
Sharing more details in an official statement, the club wrote: "The application included a detailed plan for the West Stand, along with an outline for the North Stand for the evolution of Elland Road, taking the overall capacity to approximately 53,000."
They also explain how the plans take into account not only greater general admission numbers but demands for hospitality facilities as well, with approximately 26k currently on the waiting list for a season ticket.
It goes on to read: "Public consultations held prior to the submission of the planning application with supporters and the local community, which were overwhelmingly in favour of the proposals.
"In total, 98% of respondents supported the club’s overall proposals to enhance Elland Road Stadium, 97% of respondents supported an increase in capacity, 98% of respondents supported the design plans, and 99% of respondents supported the economic benefits that would be delivered locally.
Not only will the fan base be glad to learn more about what the expansion will entail, but that the proposals are still very much in motion, as the latest update prior to this cast significant doubt over the timeline.
Thankfully, the club has fresh info in this department too.
"After extensive discussions with Leeds City Council Highways Department, Leeds United are pleased to have received support for the planning application", the statement continues.
"The club can today announce one of the most significant Section 106 agreements, which will fund highway improvements around Elland Road and the city of Leeds.
Also promising a 'sustainable and dynamic travel plan', upgrades will also be made to matchday public transport services and parking.
Perhaps the biggest relief, however, is that those who currently sit in the West Stand will remain in place, with assurances that the upgraded South Stand will also be kept entirely for home fans, maximising atmosphere during games.
Although further consultation is likely to take place as a better idea of commencement and completion dates becomes clearer, it's nevertheless looking like an exciting new chapter for Elland Road and Leeds United.
Here’s how you can get 59 days off work in 2026 using only 28 days of annual leave
Emily Sergeant
Can you believe we'll be getting ready to say goodbye to 2025 and welcome in a new year next week?
2025 has been quite the year, and with the working world getting ready to wind down for the festive season, many are no doubt already looking ahead to the new year, and planning all the holidays and time off work they want to book.
Fancy making the most of it though? For those looking to play their cards right and hack the system a little bit, some clever clogs has worked out a way to secure yourself a whopping 59 days off work by using just 28 days of your annual leave allowance - and it’s pretty impressive.
With most full-time employees who work a five-day week having a minimum of 28 days (5.6 weeks) of paid annual leave each year, travel experts have figured out how these people can effectively double their time off in 2026.
How to get 59 days off work in 2026 using only 28 days of annual leave / Credit: Road Ahead | Kaitlyn Baker (via Unsplash)
January
It may be a tad too late for some, but if you're still able to extend your new year celebrations, then you'll want to book Friday 2 January off to create a long weekend.
Easter
Saturday 28 March to Sunday 12 April - Thanks to those two Bank Holidays we get off around Easter time, by booking Monday 30 March to Thursday 2 April, and then Tuesday 7 April to Friday 10 April off, you can enjoy a massive 16 days off work by just using eight days of annual leave.
Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 March - Weekend
Monday 30 March to Thursday 2 April - Annual Leave
Friday 3 April - Good Friday
Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 April (Easter Sunday) - Weekend
Monday 6 April - Easter Monday
Tuesday 7 to Friday 10 April - Annual Leave
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April - Annual Leave
May
Saturday 2 to Sunday 10 May and Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 May - Thanks to the two Bank Holidays in May, there's two ways for you to enjoy nine days off in a row by only using four days of annual leave.
August
Saturday 29 August - Sunday 6 September - With another Bank Holiday in August, by booking Tuesday 1 though to Friday 4 September as annual leave, you can enjoy nine days of summer holiday in total.
December
Saturday 19 December 2026 - 3 January 2027 - With the Christmas Day and Boxing Day Bank Holidays, as well as the Boxing Day substitute day, and New Year's Day too, you can book just seven days off on from 21 to 24 December, and 29 to 31 December, to enjoy a whopping 16 days off in total.
Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 December - Weekend
Monday 21 - Thursday 24 December - Annual Leave
Friday 25 & Saturday 26 December - Christmas Day and Boxing Day (& weekend)
Sunday 27 December - Weekend
Monday 28 December - Bank Holiday (Boxing Day substitute)
Tuesday 29 - Thursday 31 December - Annual Leave
Friday 1 January 2026 - New Year's Day
Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 January - Weekend
Wellbeing Coach Lorna Wilkins has explored the health-boosting benefits of going on holiday and taking time off from work.
"One of the key health benefits of going on holiday is that it reduces stress," Lorna explains.
"Having a break from your daily routine can make you feel more relaxed and therefore improve your mental wellbeing. A change of environment and getting away from the pressures of day-to-day life not only helps you to clear your mind but can also help to improve your sleep quality as you’ll be feeling more relaxed."
Clementine Hall -
5th October 2022 
