The BACIL Awards 2022 are set to return bigger and better than ever this year after a two-year hiatus.
BACIL (Business Against Crime in Leeds) is a dedicated organisation protecting businesses both in retail and the night-life industry in Leeds.
Their aim is to make the city a safer place for both consumers and staff who work in the hospitality and retail sectors.
The awards were created back in 2015 to recognise outstanding achievements and shine a light on the businesses that consistently go the extra mile.
The awards for both the daytime and night-time sector include best security team, best national venue, best independent venue, best BACIL partnership, and outstanding BACIL contribution.
BACIL launched in 2005 in partnership with the West Yorkshire Police, Leeds City Council and Safer Leeds. They now have over 420 members who strive to prevent and reduce criminality and antisocial behaviour on the streets of Leeds.
The BACIL awards 2022 will take place on Monday 10 October at one of Leeds’ most historic venues, the Faversham, and will be hosted by former LDC Radio Leeds presenters Terry George and Drag Queen Precious McMichael’s.
Image: Supplied
Seal Walker, head of BACIL, said: “BACIL and its members play a vital part in the reduction of crime in our city, by working together and sharing information, they help prevent crime with the overall aim of creating a safer city-centre in which to live, work and play.
"BACIL also works closely with Leeds City Pubwatch, which is a voluntary organisation set up to promote partnership working & best practice for pubs, bars & club premises. Its aim is to achieve a safer drinking environment in all licensed premises throughout the UK."
This year the awards will adopt a more informal approach, incorporating a relaxing, fun and interactive atmosphere which will bring light to an industry that has faced such hardship over the past couple of years.
Image: Supplied
The awards have been sponsored by NDML, leading specialist insurance brokers for nightclubs, bars, pubs, restaurants, and hotels.
Victoria Romero - Trigo, director of NDML said: "We are proud to be supporting this year’s awards. Our business is all about protecting the night-time industry. It's been a really tough couple of years for the sector, and so the awards are the perfect way to celebrate the great work the people in the hospitality industry have achieved and continue to do so.”
The BACIL awards will support the Leeds Community Foundation as their nominated charity this year; to date the awards have raised over £7,000 for supported charities in the city since 2015.
Read more about the amazing organisation and their work here.
Leeds City Council is asking people for their views about transport options and public space in the city centre.
Got some thoughts and feelings about how you'd like Leeds city centre to operate? Well now's your time to speak up.
Because people are being invited to give their feedback on current issues and improvements they would like to see around St. Peter’s Street, York Street, Eastgate, Duke Street, Kirkgate, Crown Point Road, Marsh Lane and East Street.
This area of Leeds is vital for those travelling in and out of the city, with many integral and busy bus routes passing through here.
The area is also home to leisure, cultural and educational facilities, as well as Leeds bus station, and has a large and growing residential population, making it a key area for people using the bus, walking, cycling, and travelling by car.
Between 2014 and 2024, there were 260 road related casualties in the area, including 32 serious casualties and three fatalities.
The council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority will use feedback to develop plans for safer ways of travelling for everyone and more welcoming public spaces.
Councillor Tom Hinchcliffe, Leeds City Council’s executive member for transport and planning, said: “This is an important step towards a transport system that prioritises efficient public transport and supports all forms of travelling, making it easier and safer for people to get around the city.
“Public spaces are there to be used and enjoyed by everyone, and it's important that we make these spaces welcoming, accessible and well connected.
"We urge everyone that travels through this area — whether you walk, cycle, drive, or take the bus - to take part in the consultation and share your views. By sharing your experience of travelling in the area, we’ll be able to make the right improvements to make it a safer, more welcoming space for everyone.”
Have your say before Tuesday 17 November by filling in a short survey, or attending a drop-in event. You can view the drop-in events here.
Leeds City Council confirms plans to repair historic Lower Kirkgate with work set to begin this month
Clementine Hall
Leeds City Council has confirmed that work to stabilise buildings on Lower Kirkgate is set to begin later this month, with repairs expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
Back in 2024, Lower Kirkgate in Leeds city centre was closed following the partial collapse of a building, leaving one of the city's oldest streets inaccessible.
Since then, the street has remained closed while plans were developed to address the structural issues affecting the buildings.
Now, almost two years after the initial incident, the council has confirmed that a contractor has been appointed to carry out the work.
The buildings are privately owned, but Leeds City Council says it will step in to carry out the stabilisation work to prevent further deterioration and protect the historic properties.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “We are pleased that, following months of careful planning and preparation, we are now in a position to begin stabilising these privately owned buildings.
“A contract has been awarded for the work, which is scheduled to get under way later this month and is expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
“It should be stressed that the situation on Lower Kirkgate is not of the council's making, with the owners of the buildings allowing their condition to deteriorate over many years and then failing to take the necessary steps to address the resultant structural issues.
“By stepping in and carrying out this work itself, the council will be able to arrest the deterioration of important heritage assets on one of Leeds’s oldest streets. As always, we thank the local community for their continued patience and support.”
Further details about the work, including when the street may be able to reopen, have not yet been confirmed.
Clementine Hall -
5th October 2022 
