Leeds
Leeds Rhinos announce new name for Headingley Stadium following ‘record breaking’ deal
The biggest commercial deal in the history of the club was announced this morning.
Leeds Rhinos have announced this morning that their home ground will be soon known as the AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium following a 'record breaking' deal with AMT Auto, a Leeds-based vehicle company.
The partnership is be the biggest commercial deal in the history of the club.
Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington led a press conference this morning to announce the "very signifiant announcement", along with the Leeds Rhinos Commercial Director, Rob Oates.
The news was announced this morning in the Taverner's Room, "this has been the venue for very significant announcements over the years" so Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive said "it would be only appropriate" to hold it there.
Headingley's home for the Leeds Rhinos has only been renamed three times previous to this.
AMT Auto's Managing Director Neil McGawley was there to announce the news and give a few words as a "lifelong fan" of the club, stating he was really "excited and proud" of the partnership.
"In conjunction with our other sporting partnerships in the city, Leeds United, Yorkshire Cricket, it means AMT can connect to most of the people and businesses in Leeds, which syncs perfectly with AMT's vision to be a vehicle solution for everyone, particularly those in Leeds and Yorkshire [...] I'm really looking forward to the next 15 years".
Oates described AMT Autos as a "family business, they're a lovely, lovely group of people", adding "today is the start of a fabulous partnership".
It was also confirmed during the press conference that AMT Autos will be on the new Leeds Rhinos kit, which will be revealed next week.
You can watch the full live streamed announcement of X, the social media channel formerly known as Twitter, below:
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Feature Image - Wikicommons (Northern Wonder)
Leeds
Tom Odell announces huge outdoor Leeds show as part of Sounds of the City
Clementine Hall
UK singer-songwriter Tom Odell is set to play a huge outdoor Leeds show this summer.
Sounds of the City is making a triumphant return this summer and we couldn't be more excited.
Being added to the already star-studded lineup is Tom Odell, a Chichester-born singer-songwriter known for his heartfelt piano ballads and distinctive tone.
You may also know him from a certain John Lewis advert which made sure there were no dry eyes in the house.
The announcement follows a huge year for Tom Odell, who released his latest album A Wonderful Life and completed a major UK arena tour.
Known for his emotionally charged, piano‑led anthems, Tom Odell first rose to prominence after winning the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award in 2013 and has since become one of the UK’s most successful contemporary artists, with massive global hits like “Another Love”, which has now surpassed three billion streams on Spotify.
The ‘Another Love’ singer will perform on Saturday 4 July and will be supported by Matt Maltese.
Already announced for Sounds of the City are Dylan Gossett, Alabama Shakes, Wet Leg, The Human League and The Cribs.
The Millennium Square gigs are always fantastic fun, with previous acts including Blossoms, McFly and Mika bringing huge audiences to the city.
Tickets go on sale this Friday 6 February at 10am and you can get your tickets here.
Pre-sale starts this Thursday 5 February which you can access by signing up to Millennium Square's mailing list here.
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Featured image - Publicity Picture
Leeds
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Emba will remain open until Saturday 1 March.
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Featured image - Emba
Sophie Smith -
5th October 2023 
