Pride in Leeds is one of a very few free Pride events in the UK and in 2019 attracted over 65,000 people making it one of the biggest events held in the city centre, so you can bet that this year, the celebrations will be more exciting than ever before.
This Sunday will see the annual parade return to Lower Briggate and across Leeds with special tribute to the late Robert Payne, who sadly passed away in December 2021. A new route and name has been given to the parade in his honour.
Keep reading to find out everything from road closures to parade timings for the two day Pride weekender in Leeds...
Image: Viaduct Showbar
Parade Times
️The following times have been confirmed by Leeds Pride for the parades across the weekend.
12pm - 2pm Parade stage at Millennium Square️
2pm - 3pm The Robert Payne parade from Millennium Square to the The Calls️
3pm - 9pm Main stage at Lower Briggate
Image: Viaduct Showar
The Viaduct Showbar Flash Mob and Street Party
Taking place three times throughout the weekend, Viaduct Showbar will be sharing a celebration through dance outside the Apple Store inside Trinity Shopping Centre.
Taking places at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm on Saturday 6 August 2022, this will be an exciting way for all ages to begin their weekend-long Pride celebration.
Image: Viaduct Showbar
Down on Lower Briggate at the renowned bar, Viaduct Showbar will be hosting a range of exciting celebrations at their dedicated Viaduct Street Party, taking place on the same day.
The parade this year has been named the Robert Payne Parade after Robert Payne from Blayds Bar who sadly passed away in December 2021. Many may remember Robert as ‘Drag with no Frock’ who worked tirelessly with husband Duncan to run Blayds Bar in Leeds for over ten years.
Blayds Bar. / Image: Change UK
Husband Duncan and daughter Gemma have been fundraising for Pride in Robert’s memory on JustGiving.
“Robert was a huge supporter in Leeds Pride every year. We would like to help raise as much money as we can to an event that can be overlooked and seen as a party however it helps so many people. Leeds pride is an event that takes place every year in the lower part of Leeds city centre. We are asking everyone who knew Robert to donate if you can.
So far, the JustGiving pages has raised around £1500 in total, including donation boxes donations from Blayds bar. Fundraising will continue throughout Leeds Pride and the total will be updated afterwards.
The first UK Pride event with Premier League players
The attendance of past and present players from Leeds United makes Leeds Pride the first UK Pride event to have Premier League footballers in attendance.
Leeds United is a premium sponsor of the event, for the second time, but this will be the first time players have attended the Pride Weekend.
Image: Leeds United
Luke (Bill) Ayling, Leeds United CEO Angus Kinnear and former Leeds United playesr Jermaine Beckford and Noel Whelan will all be in attendance, appearing with members of Marching Out Together, the LGBTQ+ and other Leeds United supporters.
Angus Kinnear the Leeds United CEO, issued a statement to explain why he looking forward to attending his first Pride event here in Leeds: “The Leeds United players and directors all send their best wishes to Marching Out Together and everyone associated with Leeds Pride. We do hope fans will come along and join us or watch the Parade pass through the city – it is a great opportunity to show our support to the LGBT+ community.
Image: Marching Out Together
“Everyone will be meeting at 1.30pm, as the parade assembles on Cookridge Street and Portland Crescent. Please look out for the Leeds United shirts and the Marching Out Together flags!”
Leeds United has also reported that a number of members of the first team have recorded messages to show their support for Marching Out Together. Captain Liam Cooper said: “I am proud to captain a club that not only supports Leeds Pride, but also works throughout the year with Marching Out Together, to make sure that everybody at Elland Road feels welcome.”
Marching Out Together is sharing updates via Twitter about this exciting UK first.
Travelling to and from Pride
Leedscity by First Bus is offering a Pride Day ticket, allowing those travelling by bus to pay just £3 for unlimited travel across Leeds for the entire weekend.
To take advantage of this offer on both Saturday 6 August - Sunday 7 August 2022, make sure you download the First Bus App and find the offer in the promotions section on the day of travel.
Due to the nature of the parade, bus services across the city will be affected. The route for the Leeds Pride Parade this year covers: Millennium Square, Cookridge Street, The Headrow, Vicar Lane, Kirkgate, York Street, Duke Street, Kirkgate, High Court, The Calls, Call Lane and Lower Briggate and therefore WY Metro has reported that "Leeds Highways have advised that the road closures for the Pride Parade are from 1345 –1615 though these are approximate and may be different on the day."
The following services will be affected throughout the weekend: 1, 2, 3, 3A, 4, 5, 6, 7(First), 7(Harrogate), 8(First), 11A, 12, 13, 13A, 14, 15, 16, 16A, 19, 19A, 27, 28(First), 29, 33, 34, 36(Harrogate) 40, 42, 49, 50, 50A, 51, 52, 55C, 60, 72, 75, 110, 140, 141, 163, 166, 200, 201, 201A, 202, 203, 229, 254, 255, 444, 446, 508, A1, PR1, PR3, X6, X84 and X99.
Many of these appear to be minor changes to fit around the road closures, for the full information on how individual buses are affected, visit the WY Metro website.
More Information
The following websites will be able to answer any other queries or additional information:
If you're got a sweet tooth, then you're going to want to keep reading.
Oh Leeds, if there's one thing we're good at - it's baking.
Just walking around the city you'll bump into delightful bakeries offering sweet treats galore, and you'll find even better gems when you venture into the suburbs.
We've rounded up a handy little guide for you to make your way through when you're looking to treat yourself to a cheeky baked good, which should be every day if we're being honest.
So, without further ado let's dive into the best bakeries in Leeds.
Bake
Mustard Approach, Mustard Wharf
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the team behind Things in Bread and Doh'hut comes this absolutely beautiful bakery by the water.
Led by mastermind Tom, they're serving up great British bakes but with a refined twist. Think ultra cheesy cheese twists, sticky school cake and unbeatable sausage rolls.
Fat Pigeon Bakery
406 Broad Lane, Leeds LS13 3DF
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fat Pigeon is a micro-bakery in Bramley that opens every Saturday to queues of adoring fans. And it’s no surprise why, as here you’ll find some of the very best bakes - from croissants to cinnamon buns - that Leeds has to offer. Oh, and owner Ruth is about as lovely as they come too.
Fold
62 Brussels Street, LS9 8AB
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the absolute masterminds behind The Cheesy Living Co. comes Fold, a hidden bakery serving up from under the arches every Saturday morning.
You can get your chops around their famous focaccia, stuffed sausage rolls, cookies, sarnies, bagels and the creme de le creme for us: the foot-long three-cheese twist.
Underground Bakery
Call Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're after a really great almond croissant, then you've got to get yourself to Underground Bakery. They're serving a whole array of baked goods but doing them all really, really well.
Right in the centre of town, it's a great spot to swing by on your way to work because everyone deserves a midweek croissant every now and again.
Laynes
New Station Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one probably doesn't need any introduction, as Laynes bakery are known amongst the city for their exceptional bakes and it's not hard to see why.
They stock a number of coffee shops across Leeds but for the true experience, pop in and enjoy a bake alongside a cup of their fabulous coffee.
Nova
Leeds Dock
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Nova Bakehouse is a beautiful sun drenched spot that serve up irresistible morning buns, chewy cookies and speciality bread.
They focus on 'flavour forward baking' using seasonal ingredients to create monthly specials that'll have you going back time and time again.
Oh, and they've been named one of the best bakeries in the UK by The Good Food Guide two years running now - so you know it's good.
These guys have really made a mark for themselves since opening, and have cured all of LS6’s sweet tooth cravings and caffeine fixes.
You'll find everything from stacked brownies and blondies to incredible red velvet cookie pies, and how could we forget their savoury options too?
Chunk
174 Kirkstall Hill
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If cookies are your kryptonite, then Chunk is where you need to be.
From baking inside her student shared house to opening her very first bakery, the last few years have been a whirlwind for owner Amy Bennett- and there's really no stopping her now.
Her gooey NYX-style cookies are out of this world, served with great drinks to match.
The Savvy Baker
Albion Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Again, this one needs absolutely no introduction. A Leeds staple that has been curing sweet toothed brownie-lovers for years, it's The Savvy Baker.
Their new site in the city centre is truly one to behold, baking cookies on site and whipping up speciality matchas from a dedicated matcha bar - you don't want to miss it.
Karpaty Bakery
Leeds Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This traditional Polish bakery inside the market is selling some of the cheapest bakes you can get your hands on. Their authentic donuts are as big as your head and the perfect sweet treat that won't break the bank.
Street Lane Bakery
399 Street Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Hidden away just behind Street Lane, is Street Lane Bakery.
These guys have been baking up a storm in the kitchen for over a decade, from their ever-so-famous home-cooked bagels to the sweetest of treats.
Slow Rise Bakery
Sunnybank Avenue, Horsforth
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Can't get over to New York but craving a proper chewy, stacked bagel with all the trimmings? Slow Rise Bakery is the only answer.
Pick your flavour bagel from sesame to everything and then pick your fillings, we'd recommend going for lashings of cream cheese and layers of smoked salmon. Delicious.
The Leeds Chilli Shop selling sauces so hot they come with a warning
Clementine Hall
If you think you can handle your spice, then there’s one shop in Leeds that will put that to the test.
Tucked away on Merrion Street, Chilli Shop has been a staple of the Leeds high street for over a decade.
First opening back in 2014, Chilli Shop was founded by Frank Jay and has built a reputation as one of the city’s most wonderfully niche (and hottest) destinations.
It's basically a shrine to all things hot, a proper haven of everything spicy to get your tastebuds tingilng.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We're talking everything from chilli hot sauces and jams to chocolate, cheese, dried chillies and even novelty gifts perfect for the chilli lover in your life.
But what they're most famous for is a shelf fully dedicated to the Youtube hit Hot Ones, a show where celebrities are pushed to the limit and served hot wings coated in a variety of hot sauces from mild to blow-your-head-off hot.
So if you've ever watched that show and wanted to have a go yourself, this shop stocks all the sauces so you can be the star of your own Hot Ones episode.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Best of all, you can try before you buy. Free, heat-rated tasters are available, meaning you can work your way up from “that’s got a bit of a kick” to “I can no longer feel my face”.
We can't promise there's any milk or ice cream on hand though, so get tasting at your own risk.
So whether you’re looking for a new sauce, a spicy gift for your mate or simply want to discover exactly how much pain your tastebuds can withstand, the Chilli Shop is one Leeds independent that deserves a visit.
Sophie Smith -
3rd August 2022 
