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Famous Leeds pub to finally reopen after four years – and it’s getting an Irish makeover

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 30th September 2026

One of Leeds’ best-known boozers is set to reopen after four years.

But, it's going to look a little bit different.

The George on Great George Street has been closed since 2022, leaving a popular spot in the city centre sitting empty for years.

But now, the historic Leeds local is getting a new lease of life, with plans to reopen its doors as an Irish pub.

The George will be transformed into 'The Galway Girl' following a huge £430,000 investment by Star Pubs and West Yorkshire pub operators TL Inns.

Work on the pub has already begun and is set to reopen in mid-November. The investment is expected to create 15 jobs.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

The Galway Girl will be TL Inns’ second Irish pub. Its first, also called The Galway Girl, opened in Pontefract in 2024.

The investment will see a complete overhaul of the pub’s interior and exterior, creating a traditional, pared-back Victorian-style city pub. The small courtyard garden will also be upgraded with new Murphy’s-themed barrel-style tables, chairs and planters.

Inside, the pub will feature a two-bar layout, with one bar on the ground floor and a second bar and function area in the basement. The basement bar will also be available for private functions and the pub will also offer barista-style coffee, brunches and all-day food.

Tony Lumb says: “We’ve had tremendous success with our first Irish pub, The Galway Girl in Pontefract. I have every confidence that the new one will be equally popular, breathing new life into a derelict building. The location and bones of the pub are great. It will be really lovely once it has had investment and a sympathetic refurbishment.

“Authentic Irish pubs, as opposed to theme pubs, are having a moment. People want the craic, the warm and welcoming atmosphere, and live entertainment that they associate with a proper Irish pub.”

Read more: Popular Yorkshire burger chain to move into old Five Guys site in Leeds city centre

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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BBC Introducing announces massive Leeds takeover celebrating the UK’s best emerging artists

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

BBC Introducing and Leeds promoter Futuresound have announced a city-wide takeover this November as part of their ‘Introducing Live’ event.

Taking place in ten towns and cities across the UK, Introducing Live will hit Leeds on Saturday 28 November and showcase some of the best emerging artists in the UK today.

Not only that, but it will be held in some of the city's most iconic independent music venues including The Wardrobe, Belgrave Music Hall and Oporto.

The 450-capacity venue The Wardrobe will be home to an 'Introducing on Radio 1' showcase featuring a packed programme including the Egyptian born, Manchester based alt-pop artist Nxdia, Lincolnshire indie-pop quintet Cherryholt, dark pop artist Precious Pepala, Scunthorpe singer-songwriter Will Parker and many more.

Meanwhile, over at Belgrave Music Hall, Emily Pilbeam from Introducing's Mixtape on 6 Music will showcase black country duo GANS, the local 7-piece project Group A.D., underground group holybones and more.

Oporto, famous for hosting some of the biggest names in music during the start of their careers, will host a dedicated 'Introducing Rock' takeover with Radio 1’s Alyx Holcombe, with a line-up featuring Nottingham-formed rock duo Alt Blk Era, goth-grunge alt group Venus Grrrls, indie-pop BRIT School alumna jo from school, post-hardcore band Hollow Bloom, and Sheffield-based electro-metalcore band DUSTHOUSE.

Joe Hubbard, promoter at Futuresound Group, said: “We’re really excited to be working with BBC Introducing to bring this event to Leeds, for the first time! It feels a very fitting partnership after our partnership on Live at Leeds together over the years.

"Between headliners Nxdia, Alt Blk Era, Gans and Jaguar, I feel there’s something for everyone. I’m also really proud of the local offering we’ve got, with strong representation from BBC Introducing Leeds & Sheffield across the bill. There’s been months of work behind the scenes to make it happen, so it’s a great feeling to finally release the line-up to the world. See you in November!”

Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am and you can get yours here.

Read more: Innovative Leeds music venue TESTBED announces launch party lineup

Featured image - Supplied

News

Heartbreak as beloved Huddersfield railway station cat dies in tragic road accident

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

A much-loved black cat at Huddersfield Railway Station has died in a tragic road accident.

You may remember back in 2018 when a couple of adorable kittens went viral on the internet for being exceptional members of the Transpennine Express crew at Huddersfield Railway Station.

Bolt first joined as an apprentice to Felix, the station’s famous Senior Pest Controller, and quickly became a firm favourite of the team and of people at home.

So much so, that a Facebook page set up for Bolt and Felix gained more than 167,000 followers.

Sadly, Transpennine Express released the news yesterday that Bolt had sadly passed away in a road traffic accident.

Transpennine Express Press Office (Supplied)

Announcing the news, they said: "It is with heavy hearts that TransPennine Express (TPE) announces the passing of Bolt, Huddersfield’s much-loved former station cat, following a road traffic accident.

"Bolt joined the team at Huddersfield station in 2018 as an apprentice to Felix, the station’s famous Senior Pest Controller, and quickly became a firm favourite with colleagues, customers and visitors from around the world."

Of course, tributes have been pouring in with fans expressing their sadness.

One person said: "Oh no! I remember when Bolt first arrived. R.I.P. Sweet Bolt, may Felix be waiting to show you around just as when you first arrived at Huddersfield."

Whilst another said: "This is such very sad news. When all the work is completed at Huddersfield Station, might it be possible to give another deserving cat or kitten, a home there? There are so many cats and kittens in sanctuaries all over, who need a safe and loving home."

Andrew McClements, Customer Experience & Transformation Director for TPE said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Bolt. He was a much-loved member of the Huddersfield station family and brought joy and comfort to so many people over the years.

“From his early days learning from Felix to becoming a star in his own right, Bolt left his paw prints on the hearts of colleagues, customers and fans across the world. He will be very sadly missed.”

Bolt’s former companion Felix, another much-loved member of the Huddersfield station team, sadly passed away in 2023.

Read more: National food critic crowns Leeds restaurant as one of his top three in Britain

Featured image - Transpennine Express Press Office (Supplied)

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