Once a fine Weslyan Methodist chapel, today Leeds' Templar House lies derelict - saved from demolition only thanks to its historic status as a Grade II listed building.
Still retaining remnants of its once-grand years, over the years, the building has had a number of different uses - most recently as an Amateur Youth Boxing Club in the early 1990s.
Originally built as a place of worship in the 1800s, it has since been used as an Army Recruitment Office, vacuum cleaner manufacturers, offices for the British Road Services, and an Unemployment Benefit Office.
Image: Kyle Urbex
Image: Kyle Urbex
Image: Kyle Urbex
Image: Kyle Urbex
Boarded up since the 90s, it continues to engender curiosity in those who walk past - leading one local explorer to find his way inside to see what is left of the historic site.
Due to a number of health and safety concerns, the site officially remains strictly off limits - but that didn't stop local explorer Kyle Urbex from finding a way in and having a look around.
However, as the upper foundations of the structure are considered to be unsafe it has sat empty for some three decades now. As a result, the building is in something of a dilapidated state, to say the least.
Image: Kyle Urbex
Image: Kyle Urbex
Kyle's mages show an old pool table buried beneath a thick layer of dust, as well as old lockers and curled, yellowing boxing certificates still pinned to cork notice boards harking back to better days when local champions still roamed Templar House's halls.
The ceiling and walls have seriously deteriorated, particularly on the building's upper floor, and the floors are just as decayed - coated in dirt and debris, likely the result of year's worth of significant weather damage.
Image: Kyle Urbex
Image: Kyle Urbex
Image: Kyle Urbex
Image: Kyle Urbex
And yet, there's still a certian macabre charm to the place. Graffiti sprawled on one wal in the bathrooms exclaims "you look beautiful!", stairwells look bleak and bare, and one room is simply piled high with rubbish.
A building that will be known to anyone who lives in or around Leeds, it's fascinating to have a are peek behind its brick and black boarding. Even if it's in a seriously dilapidated state.
Feature image - Kyle Urbex
Feature
Inside FaceGym – Leeds’ newest facial fitness studio loved by celebrities
We hope you're ready for your workout, because FaceGym has landed in Leeds.
You may be wondering...what on earth is Facegym? And to be fair, you've got a point.
FaceGym, as they themselves describe it, a 'non-invasive fitness studio concept for the face' using high-intensity facial massage, hand manipulation, and electrical muscle stimulation technology to tone, lift, and sculpt the face without surgery.
Sounds pretty fancy if you ask us, and it feels just as fancy from the moment you step through the door.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Unsurprisingly, it's loved by celebrities worldwide who are looking to get snatched and ditch their gua sha.
Currently occupying five standalone stores in London, one in Cambridge as well as a pop-up in Space NK in Selfridges Manchester, FaceGym will be opening this Friday 18 September inside the coveted Victoria Gate, taking over a 1,772 square foot studio.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space really does look like a gym, ditching the standard beauty salon aesthetic for an American-style gym interior complete with the iconic red FaceGym balls all over the place.
A signature sculpt costs £110 for a 45 minute treatment, so it's definitely a treat if you're looking to have skin that can reflect the sun and cheekbones for days.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Angelo Castello, chief executive at Facegym, said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Facegym to Leeds and to open in the beautiful Victoria Gate. The city has a thriving beauty, wellness, and retail scene, making it the perfect location for our next studio.
“We’ve seen growing demand from customers across Yorkshire, and we can’t wait to introduce even more people to the benefits of facial fitness.”
You can find out more and book a treatment at FaceGym via their website here.
The Leeds Supper Club bringing people together over incredible food
Clementine Hall
What started as a simple idea around food has grown into something much bigger for Leeds Supper Club.
The idea was born from a love of food and the idea that eating together can be about much more than what’s on your plate.
Rather than simply going out to a restaurant, Leeds Supper Club puts connection at the heart of its events, bringing people together to share incredible food and enjoy an evening in good company.
We had the pleasure of attending their most recent event where we had the most wonderful evening with founders Lizzie, Phillip and the rest of the club.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This instalment was a very special one, as it was in collaboration with Knotfield Vine over in Horsforth.
I mean, it really doesn't get more scenic than this - we really felt like we'd been whisked away to the South of France rather than a Leeds suburb. But we wouldn't want it either way.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What makes it a cut above the rest is the details. Every little detail has been thought out, from the low-lit, sexy lighting, hand-made name plates, live music and four courses of wonderful seasonal goodness made fresh.
From enjoying a glass of wine within the vines alongside a couple of nibbles to tucking into a three course meal around a candle-lit table, there's really nowhere else like it.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The tagliatelle pasta with beef and whipped feta was a real highlight, and knowing Lizzie and Philip receive help on the menu and the cooking from all their friends made it taste that much sweeter.
By the end of it we'd had some delicious food, fabulous wine and shared even better conversation. And it's safe to say we left feeling a part of the club.
Keep an eye on their Instagram page here for all upcoming events.
Georgina Pellant -
25th November 2022 
