King Pins is making its Yorkshire debut right here in Leeds.
If you're partial to a game of bowling, then this is the story for you.
King Pins is a state-of-the-art bowling and activity complex that will be opening its doors in the White Rose Centre on Friday 15 August.
And as King Pins arrives in Leeds, so does King Pin Colin, the venue’s friendly mascot.
To celebrate King Pin Colin’s arrival, King Pins is giving away a free game of bowling to the first 100 people named Colin who claim their game.
Image: Supplied
Yes, really.
To all you Colins out there, all you have to do is email KingPinColin@kingpins.co.uk saying "Hi, my name is Colin." Sounds simple enough hey?
But even if you're name isn't Colin, you can still make a booking for the new King Pins site before it opens by visiting their website.
And it's not just bowling that you can play at King Pins, guests can also try their hand at ten-pin bowling, duck pin bowling, tech darts, shuffleboard, ice-free curling, American pool, karaoke, Wild West shooting, and arcade games.
Image: Supplied
There will also be a bar serving up a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on offer, plus snacks and feasts available from Marvin’s, the onsite eatery.
James Travis, Brand Manager of King Pins, said, “We can’t wait to bring the crown jewels of bowling to Yorkshire and meet all the county’s Colins. King Pins HQ is in Leeds, so it’s really special for us to open in our home city!”
“As we’re so excited to open in Leeds, we’re really going the extra mile to make this the best King Pins yet. We’re set to have 10 different games and activities ready to play, including crazy pool, which will be the first time the game is available in a King Pins.”
“It’s not long now until we open, so any parents unsure how they’re going to entertain the kids for a full six weeks, don’t worry, King Pins will be ready to save the day. Leeds - we’ll see you soon!”
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Clementine Hall -
11th July 2025 
