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Leeds
“Is it worth us fighting to keep the shop open?”: Leeds zero waste store battling closure
"We were never here to get rich, we just wanted to be able to pay all the bills all the while offering this service, giving people the power to choose a more sustainable way of life."
A zero waste shop in Leeds city centre has been asking customers "is it worth us fighting to keep the shop open?" after seeing a downward spiral in sales.
EcoTopia has become a synonymous face in Leeds city centre for those trying to lower their carbon footprint. Stocking everything from Tony's Chocolatony in just about every flavour imaginable to zero waste versions of flour, washing powder and other household essentials, the store has been a huge educator about plastic and chemical waste.
Now, the store faces closure, citing a lack of sales as their reason for considering giving up their position in the heart of the city.
The eco-friendly store is facing closure. / Image: EcoTopia
In a heartfelt Facebook post, the owners explained that the sales of their Central Arcade Store have been declining over a period of weeks and with sales so low, they have an opportunity to fight to stay open, or close the store.
The post explained: "The last 2 weeks have been pretty bad for sales at our Central Arcade store. Can we be real and ask if it's worth us fighting to keep the shop open? Do people actually, really want the Arcade shop to stay open? We can't justify keeping it open when sales are so low."
"We have the chance now to tell the landlord we want to surrender the lease, or we can make a deal to stay open until another business takes the lease off our hands, or the lease ends (Sept 2023). Right now we aren't sure which option to go for because people say they want our shop to stay, but sales over the last 2 weeks tell us a different story.
"We want to keep fighting and keep a presence in the city centre, but we won't fight if there's no reason to. It's really hard on our purses, our mental health and our families.
The store has been educating Leeds about climate change through its zero plastic waste and selection of books. / Image: EcoTopia
"We just feel really downhearted about the Arcade store at the moment because a city centre shop SHOULD be doing better.
"People in all walks of life say they are fed up of plastic and chemicals in and around their products, but they don't set foot into our shop or come onto our website to see what the options are, simply because we "appear" to be a shop suited for a specific type of person. We need help.
"We need more customers, it's as simple as that. Any suggestions to widen our appeal to EVERYONE - without stepping on toes - will be gratefully received.
The store also stocks a range of cold drinks. / Image: EcoTopia
The post has since received over 100 comments, some offering advise and others genuine gratitude for their presence: "It would be wonderful if it's was profitable to stay in the centre because I do love your shop. wish I visited more tbh.. but if its too much to keep, then it may be best to concentrate on the Bramley one I think x I want the best for you guys! And I hate to hear one of your businesses suffering. it may feel bad to lose one, but I just think shopping centres like the central arcade are suffering and it would be awful for you to continue in that. I'd say do what's best for you and your family xx".
Many others suggested new locations for EcoTopia to take on a new venture: "Move to crossgates. Its much cheaper for rent and I would use a local refill station! I do not travel into town as I work and don't have the time or money to go in. Local shops is your best option", however the owners shared that there are only two individuals running the stores so opening further branches is not an option to them.
To support EcoTopia, you can visit their store inside Leeds Central Arcade and speak to the staff, make a purchase and raise awareness for the hidden store that's been making Leeds a more sustainable place to live for quite some time.
Feature Image- EcoTopia
Leeds
Leeds Festival 2026 – drinks prices for beer, cider, wine, spirits and more
Leeds Festival 2026 is officially underway and we've rounded up drinks prices at the bars on the festival site.
While many of us will be sipping on warm cans of cider and boxes of wine at the camp sites, you can't take any of your own alcohol into the arena (where all the stages are) itself.
So you'll need to budget for drinks over the course of the weekend if you want to watch the headliners with a pint in hand.
And with headline performances from the likes of Fontaines D.C., Raye, Florence and the Machine and Dave, there's masses of amazing live music on the horizon at Leeds Festival 2026.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
We're already on site at Leeds Festival ready to bring you all the action and updates from this massive weekend - staring with, importantly, drinks prices.
So, let's get into it...
This year you're looking at paying around £7 of beer and £7.50 £7.50 for a pint of cider.
Different for this year, is you'll get 10% off if paying with a Paypal debit card which you can get for free - which we think is pretty class and well worth your time.
You can take your own empty water bottles in to refill at water stations around the festival site.
You're also allowed to bring in sealed water/soft drinks which are 500ml or less.
And if you're taking your own booze into the campsites, remember that there's no glass allowed, so you'll need to decant anything into plastic bottles.
Here are all your drinks prices for Leeds Festival 2026
Beer and cider
Budweiser - £7 (£6.30 with Paypal discount)
Corona Extra - £7.50 (£6.75 with Paypal discount)
Kopparberg Crisp Apple - £7.50 (£6.75 with Paypal discount)
Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime - £7.70 (£6.93 with Paypal discount)
Rose - 175ml £10 / btl £35 (£9/£31.5 with Paypal discount)
Italian sparkling - 200ml £10 (£9 with Paypal discount)
No and Low
Budweiser Zero - £5.80 (£5.22 with Paypal discount)
Water - £2.50 (£2.25 with Paypal discount)
And that should just about do you in terms of booze - as always, please drink responsibly and look after each other.
For all the other important information, you can consult our complete 2026 Leeds Festival guide down below.
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
Leeds
Leeds Festival warning issued as police announce speed cameras and traffic restrictions
Clementine Hall
Leeds Fest is almost here, but festival-goers heading to Bramham Park by car have been warned to take extra care on the roads.
Driving to Leeds Festival has never been particularly easy, but West Yorkshire Police have issued a warning to those driving by car in an attempt to make it somewhat easier.
Ahead of Leeds Festival 2026, temporary traffic management measures will be in place from Wednesday 26 August until Monday 31 August.
The measures are designed to improve road safety, reduce congestion, and help ensure the safe movement of the tens of thousands of people expected to attend the event.
Speed camera enforcement vans will be operating throughout the festival period alongside clearways surrounding the festival site.
Police have warned that drivers caught breaking the temporary restrictions could face prosecution, so it's definitely worth keeping an eye out for the signage as you approach the festival.
Superintendent Dan Wood said: “Leeds Festival is one of the largest events in West Yorkshire and attracts a significant increase in traffic to the local road network.
"The temporary speed restrictions and clearways are being introduced to help keep everyone safe, including festival-goers, local residents and road users.
"We would ask all motorists to pay close attention to the temporary signage in place and allow extra time for their journeys. Speed enforcement will be carried out during the event, and we encourage drivers to comply with all restrictions for their own safety and that of others."
Festival attendees are also being urged to follow the event signage rather than relying solely on their sat nav. Dedicated routes will direct different categories of visitors to the correct locations, including:
Camping entrances
Day / Non-camping ticket parking areas
Drop-off and pick-up points
Staff and authorised vehicle access routes
Motorists who follow sat nav directions alone may be directed to unsuitable routes, causing unnecessary delays for themselves and other road users.
Sophie Smith -
13th July 2022 
