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.
It looks like even more new flats could be popping up in Leeds city centre.
The land in question is located near Leeds' Aire Park development, next to The Adelphi Pub in a prime location smack bang in the city centre.
It's looking like over 240 flats could be built on the site after the council has agreed to sell the coveted plot of land to a housing developer.
The current land that is surrounded by heritage assets has been sold by Leeds City Council to property developer Glenbrook.
A planning application from Glenbrook proposed mostly 246 one and two bedroom apartments in a whopping 24 storey development.
Around 20% of the homes would be classified as affordable housing, being rented out at 80% of the current private market rate.
The application will be discussed when the council's City Plans Panel meets next Thursday 14 May.
A council planning officer’s report said: “The emerging proposals present a significant opportunity to regenerate a prominent vacant brownfield site within the city centre.
“The development would deliver a substantial number of new homes, alongside the provision of some employment opportunities.”
A council decision report when selling the plot back in 2022 said: “It is surrounded by heritage assets in an area undergoing rapid regeneration and is widely considered to be a prime plot capable of supporting a high quality residential development.”
Well then Leeds, what do you make of these plans then?
The North Leeds Food Festival returns for 2026 and special anniversary edition
Danny Jones
The much-loved North Leeds Food Festival is back for 2026, and its spring return marks a very special anniversary.
We're getting hungry just thinking about it.
Taking place in less than a fortnight, North Leeds Food Fest marks its 10th birthday early next month, with this year's programme set to be one of the biggest yet.
We're lucky enough to see a lot of wonderful things within Roundhay Park every single year, but this might just be one of our absolute favourites.
Not to speak for all of you, but we're sure plenty of West Yorkshire would agree.
Held on the expansive Soldiers' Field section of the stunning outdoor space, more than a full decade on from the very first iteration of the festival, punters can expect free-flowing drinks, music rolling across the park, and LOTS of food to be enjoyed.
Both dog and family-friendly, too, it's already shaping up to be one of the best fun-for-all-ages weekends of the entire year.
Writing in a teaser on socials, the organisers said: "We’ve been working away behind the scenes to bring a fresh look and feel for 2026, so you can expect some surprises for our big birthday."
Consider our interest piqued and our tummies already rumbling...
The same spotlights will be shining on native independents serving up some of the region's best street food, and you can expect some top-notch drinks from Leeds locals, too.
It's pretty hard to believe it's been 10 whole years since this first started and how far it's come. Here's a longer look at how the last edition went down:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqSxSj-dQsA&t=2s
Some of the indie enjoyment being teased includes wood-fired pizza, crispy fried chicken, fresh cocktails and a full 'Ale House' pouring from start to finish, as well as "vibrant curries and desserts worth saving space for".
There'll also be artisan markets, a live cookery theatre hosted by Yorkshire chef, consultant and Great British Menu star, Stephanie Moon, lots of live tunes, a whole host of kids' activities, stand-up comedy and tonnes more.
Scheduled for Saturday, 9 May 2026 from 10am and wrapping up on the following (10 May) around 7pm, the doors will be open from 10am on the first day, so you'd better make the most of the celebrations.
Clementine Hall -
5th October 2022 
