It's the first time the site will have seen any form of refurbishment since 2005.
We've all had a stroll through the St John's Centre at one point in our Leeds life.
Wether it's posting a letter in the Post Office, grabbing some CDs from HMV or getting your beauty essentials from Bodycare - it's a Leeds staple that has stood on the Headrow since 1985.
And this is the first time it will have a refurbishment since 2005.
The plans submitted will see the old office spaces into new purpose-built student accommodation.
There would be 287 high-quality student bedrooms, including 170 studios and 117 bedroom clusters, all with access to 78 cycle parking spaces.
Image: Global
And it doesn't stop there, the central courtyard of St Johns, currently used for car parking, would become a private roof garden for residents of the building.
The new proposals would also see the entire complex get a makeover fit for the 21st century, helping to create a more attractive street scene, complete with new landscaping and tree planting.
Senior Development Manager at Global Mutual, Brett Radley, explained, “As student numbers continue to rise, there is a continued demand for new student accommodation to support the vibrancy of the city’s universities and reduce the pressure on family housing from students in search of somewhere to call home whilst they study.
"This part of the city centre has become increasingly popular for the development of new student accommodation, given its location close to university campuses, city centre amenities and Leeds train station.”
“Sustainability is central to our plans, which is why we’re aiming to convert and repurpose the existing office space, rather than demolish it and start again. This will significantly reduce the carbon emissions that are typically associated with new major building projects."
A public consultation has already been held at St John's Centre already, but a full planning will be submitted to Leeds City Council in the coming months.
Trinity Kitchen will turn into one of the city’s biggest hotspots to watch the World Cup this summer.
The space is getting ready to be transformed into an evening fan zone with three super-size screens, a brand-new bar, DJs, brass bands and space for up to 1,000 supporters.
The space will be completely free to attend and will open just in time for the start of the tournament on Thursday 11 June.
And before you worry about getting a seat, fans will have the option of booking tables for England’s games.
It doesn't stop there, as it has also been announced that award-winning Leeds independent brewery Northern Monk will open in Trinity Kitchen for the first time.
Image: Supplied
The ‘Northern Monk Trinity Tap’ will feature two, seven-metre bars, 20 beer taps, whilst 11 street food vendors will be serving match day meals and snacks to keep you fuelled through the games.
Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “Trinity Kitchen will operate as normal during the day, transforming into a football fan zone in the evening.
“It will be one of the biggest World Cup venues in Leeds with three huge screens showing the games live and more dotted around Trinity Kitchen. There will be live roaming brass bands and DJs turning every England fixture into a true celebration.
“Fans can turn up and grab a space for free and we will also be offering table bookings for England games for those who want to guarantee the best spots to watch the drama unfold.
“Our line-up of street food vendors will serve bold flavours from around the world, while the all-new Northern Monk Trinity Tap will pour award-winning craft beers across 20 taps, making Trinity Kitchen the ultimate place to eat, drink and experience every unforgettable World Cup moment."
Rooftop padel courts planned for multi-storey car park in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Padel courts could be built on top of a car park in Leeds if plans are agreed.
Padel has been taking the world by storm recently, and it seems like there's no stopping it just yet.
Developers behind the Merrion Centre in Leeds have submitted plans to build eight rooftop padel courts at the shopping centre.
If successful, the development would result in the loss of 128 spaces at the car park which currently has space for 960 vehicles.
The plans outline that the courts would be built on the eighth floor of the building and that the scheme would support the fast growing popularity of the sport in the city.
The development would include seven indoor courts that would be housed in a detached aluminium-framed structure at the car park site that was built in the 1960s.
The report said: "Padel is widely recognised as a fast-growing racket sport, combining elements of tennis and squash in a format that is social, inclusive and relatively easy to learn.
"Its increasing popularity across the UK has led to a notable rise in demand for accessible courts, particularly in large urban areas."
It continued: “The application site forms part of the existing Merrion Centre car park, currently operated by CitiPark. The building comprises eight levels in total, with this proposal limited to the uppermost level.”
Leeds City Council is currently considering a full planning application which is out for consultation until Wednesday 3 June.
Clementine Hall -
29th April 2024 
