Art by Arjo has officially got a permanent home in the city.
If you’re Leeds-obsessed, chances are you’ve seen an Art by Arjo print at some point. Maybe it was a drawing of Elland Road, maybe the Corn Exchange, maybe your university, favourite pub or one of Yorkshire’s many iconic landmarks.
And now, instead of waiting for the next market or scrolling through Instagram trying to decide which print to buy, you can find them all under one roof. Art by Arjo has landed in Leeds Corn Exchange.
And honestly, it feels like a pretty perfect home for a brand that's all about celebrating the places we know and love.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For those who don't know the name, Art by Arjo is the work of Leeds-based artist Yusef Arjo, who has turned his background in architecture and love of drawing into a full-time creative business.
What started out with Yusef creating illustrations for family and friends eventually grew into something much bigger. In 2018, he took the leap into becoming a full-time artist, building Art by Arjo into a business selling his detailed architectural illustrations across the UK and beyond.
And now, he's gone from market stalls to his own permanent shop in the heart of Leeds. The whole idea behind the brand is pretty simple: take the places people love and turn them into something they can hang on their wall.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We're talking football grounds, music venues, universities, cricket grounds, city centres, pubs and some of Yorkshire's most recognisable landmarks.
Naturally, Leeds gets plenty of love.
You can find illustrations of Elland Road, Leeds Town Hall, the Corn Exchange, Kirkgate Market, Leeds Dock, Headingley and the Royal Armouries, alongside plenty of other places that will have you saying, “Wait, I know that place.”
And that's what makes the prints so good: they're not just pictures of buildings. They're little reminders of places you've actually been. The stadium where you watched your first match. The university where you spent three years. The city centre street you've walked down a thousand times. The pub where you've spent far too many Friday nights.
Arjo takes those familiar places and turns them into something you can keep.
And with the new Corn Exchange shop, you can now see the artwork properly in person, rather than just double-tapping it on your phone.
So whether you're looking for something to add a bit of Leeds personality to your wall, hunting for a gift for someone who is very proud of where they're from, or simply fancy having a browse, Art by Arjo is well worth a look.
And there's an extra little surprise waiting in the shop too, with Arjo's very own print machine creating personalised, hand-drawn prints, meaning you can walk away with a completely unique keepsake made just for you.
We're always here for local businesses that turn Leeds memories into wall art.
And going from a market stall to having your own shop in the Corn Exchange? Not a bad little upgrade.
The full details of the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift have been released - and the action will be kicking off right in the heart of Leeds.
Preparations have moved up a gear this week, with the full map of the first stage revealed, which will see the world's leading female cyclists setting off from none other than The Headrow.
Leeds will make sporting history on 30 July next year, when we host the start of the world's biggest women's professional cycle race.
When our city was added to the 2014 Tour de France route, around 230,000 people packed into the city centre, with another two million lining the rest of the Yorkshire route - so we're expecting even bigger scenes next year.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will move from the centre of Leeds to travel through communities including Headingley, Kirkstall, Bramley, Farnley and Drighlington.
Now, an interactive map has been published that gives people the chance to see for the first time exactly which streets will be in the thick of the action next summer.
Riders will set of from The Headrow before travelling down Briggate and Boar Lane - then they'll head via via Woodhouse Lane, Hyde Park Corner and Otley Road into Headingley before travelling west on North Lane and Kirkstall Lane.
Key roads on the rest of the route include:
Bridge Road at Kirkstall, which will take the riders across the River Aire;
Broad Lane, Waterloo Lane, Lower Town Street and Henconner Lane in Bramley;
Butt Lane between its junctions with Pudsey Road – near Farnley Reservoir – and Tong Road at Farnley;
Whitehall Road, from its junction with Back Lane at New Farnley, to Drighlington.
From Drighlington, the riders will cross into Kirklees and then head over the Pennines into Manchester.
Leeds City Council will be keeping people fully updated about the planning involved to host the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, including road closures and other traffic management measures.
Following its visit to Leeds, the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will run from Manchester to Sheffield on July 31 before finishing in London on August 1.
The event will make Leeds the first place outside mainland Europe to host the start of stage one of a Grand Départ for both the men’s Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "The Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift promises to be a great occasion for Leeds and one that will raise our profile on the international sporting stage while also delivering a boost to the local economy.
“Today’s announcement of further route details is a reminder that the countdown to July 30 is well and truly on, with a huge amount of planning and preparation work already taking place.
“As part of that work, we will be doing our utmost to ensure residents and businesses have all the information they need about the arrangements for the day.
“People in Leeds are famed for the passionate support they show when the city hosts major sporting events and I’m sure this one will be no different. Roll on next July!”
A new bar dedicated to Guinness and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!