The Christmas markets have been dearly missed since their departure in 2019.
But now it's been confirmed that the much-loved markets are making a return this year.
After signing a new contract with Market Place Europe (responsible for markets in cities like Belfast, Newcastle and Harrogate) for a big comeback.
The markets will be taking on a different look than previous years, with 13 different spaces across the city centre hosting around 120 Bavarian-style stalls, including Briggate, City Square and outside The Corn Exchange.
Complete with three festive bars, Leeds City Council has confirmed that the markets will take place from Friday 24 November right up until Friday 22 December 2023.
Millennium Square and Victoria Gardens will also host its popular Ice Cube outdoor skating rink, market stalls and other themed attractions this year, and plenty more family-friendly activities are being planned for the festive occasion.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be bringing a new and exciting festive experience to Leeds this Christmas that will transform the whole city centre.
“We’ve been working hard behind the scenes for some time now to find the right Christmas market that will give more people, places and businesses the chance to be part of one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year.
“This new market will make the most of the fantastic, newly pedestrianised spaces we have across the city and make Leeds feel more special and magical than ever before.”
The new market will be operated by Market Place Europe, the UK’s largest Christmas market operator, who have delivered award-winning Christmas markets in cities including Belfast, Newcastle and Harrogate.
It will be delivered at no cost to Leeds City Council, and is expected to generate income for the city.
Usually held from early November to the end of the year at Millenium Square, the Christkindelmarkt is usually one of the most exciting events in the festive build-up.
The markets did not take place in 2020 or 2021 due to Covid restrictions, but only last year, a spokesperson from Leeds City Council told ITV that it was “no longer feasible” for the German Christmas Market to return to Leeds, explaining that: “Following the pandemic and combined with foreign travel work visa costs and complications, it was mutually agreed with our friends in Frankfurt that it was no longer feasible to bring the German market back to Leeds.”
Having been originally started in 1997, the Christkindelmarkt had become a staple part of the city’s festivities that saw a partnership with Frankfurt City Council attract up to 250,000 visitors to Leeds every year.
Instead of the traditional markets, Leeds has seen the return of Ice Cube at Millennium Square over the past few years, with a small selection of food and drink vendors, winter-themed rides and attractions for all ages to enjoy.
The Corn Exchange also hosts a huge Christmas market based around festive food and drink, and it is expected that plenty of other alternatives will be offered around the city centre.
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.”
Inside the Leeds factory that makes and supplies classic jukeboxes
Thomas Melia
This Leeds-based family-owned business is famed for supplying pubs, clubs and even ordinary people's homes with classic jukeboxes.
Started up in 1978, Sound Leisure really is a local business like no other, creating and distributing classic jukeboxes to over 40 countries.
This music-machine-making company notes that 75% of the jukeboxes they manufacture and sell throughout the year are bought for everyday homes.
The remaining 25% of orders are for the all-expected hospitality venues like bars, clubs and hotels, with the jukeboxes sometimes bought for company headquarters and retail outlets too.
Although there are other jukebox manufacturers, especially across the pond in the US, Sound Leisure is the only factory in the world that creates jukeboxes to play out across all formats: CD, vinyl and digital.
This jukebox business even runs the world's only 'Custom Shop', which is a design service that offers any music lovers the chance to personalise their pristine player.
So whether you're after a themed jukebox, customisable nameplate or even a bespoke design, this jukebox company's website states: "If you can dream it, we can build it".
One of Sound Leisure's prized products is the music machine inspired Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-themed jukebox which any fan of The Beatles would dream of being its lucky owner.
And there really isn't anything they can't do, as alongside creating classic jukeboxes, the same team even make pinball machines, football tables, LED signs and more.
With CD and vinyl jukeboxes from £5,000 and digital jukeboxes quoted from upwards of £12,000, we're going to need a fair few rainy days to save up our money.
However, you can still marvel at these magnificent music machines without having to dip into your savings, with guided tours starting from just £15.
If you're up for learning a little bit more about music technology or simply after admiring these classic jukeboxes in all their glory, you can find out more about the factory and book your guided tour ticket HERE.
Sophie Smith -
4th September 2023 
