The Pink Room is the only place any women should need to go- regardless of if you're having a good day or a bad one.
Acting as a safe space for all women in the heart of the city centre, The Pink Room is a store in the Corn Exchange that's just opened with the hope of empowering women across Yorkshire.
All stockists are indie female businesses and the best holistic practitioners reside here, plus they're all "passionate about empowering women through better mental, spiritual and physical health", which makes it all the more a place to visit.
The Pink Room is tackling gender-based issues, one at a time and aiming to "destigmatise mental health, normalise chats about women's health and use our skills for the good of woman-kind! It can be tough out there as a woman, whether you were born female or identify as one, we are here to help you be the best version yourself."
Born out of a drive to bring alternative health to the masses, the company's founder, Ella, has a long history of mental and physical illness and is devoted to empowering other women with the tools to heal themselves. After quitting her corporate job in her twenties, Ella has dedicated her livelihood to holistic forms of healing and is now trained as a Ella holds an endless supply of titles: holistic massage therapist, mindfulness and wellness coach, body positivity yoga teacher, feminist, mum, sister, friend and daughter.
Upon entering The Pink Room, you've got the choice of participating in events, speaking to a professional member of staff or simply browsing through the stock.
The shop itself is full of remedies, aromatherapy, modern witchcraft, gorgeous homewares, books, prints, skincare, wellness wonders, all created by small female makers in the UK.
The feel-good, women-centred-empowerment drive doesn't stop there though. Each month, the company let their social media followers choose a female charity of the month to donate proceeds to.
The company exclusively stocks products from indie female businesses. / Image: The Pink Room Leeds
Within their team, there's also an Energy and Spiritual Healer, Holistic Therapist, Women's Health Nutritionalist who is anti-diet and pro self-compassion (which is so refreshing to see), as well as a Women's Health Acupuncturist and a Holistic Massage Therapist.
The store opened just before Christmas 2021 and the staff have had big plans for the future since bringing the vision to life.
"This is our first small step into feminist enterprise, we have big dreams to find ways to make wellness more accessible to people with low incomes because every woman deserves to live their best life."
To find The Pink Room and make full use of their services, you can read more on their website or pop into their store in the Corn Exchange.
Feature Image- The Pink Room Leeds
Leeds
Huge new £15m sports hub in Holbeck to be given green light by Leeds City Council
The final go-ahead is expected to be given for work to start on a major new £15million sports hub in Holbeck.
Senior councillors are expected to give the approval next Wednesday 11 March at an executive board meeting.
An agreement will be made on a contractor to complete the work which will bring state-of-the-art sports pitches and a community space to the city.
Holbeck Sports Hub will provide three full-size artificial grass football pitches, two multi-use games areas and a building with changing rooms and a café.
Image: Supplied
Work is expected to begin in August 2026 and is set to be built at the site of the former Matthew Murray High School.
The plan is to also provide a home to a new GP surgery as well as a children’s play area and walking and running routes through the green space which sits off Brown Lane East and Ingram Road.
Image: Supplied
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “We look forward to the work starting on the Holbeck Sports Hub, which will be a significant asset to the local community and residents in south Leeds.
“It will provide affordable and accessible quality sports pitches, providing more opportunities for physical activity and play and spaces to meet up and connect.
“We are also working towards an agreement with a GP practice so that the area can benefit from new high-quality healthcare provision to meet the needs of the community.”
The programme is joint funded by the Football Foundation and Leeds City Council capital funding.
New grassroots music space aiming to make DJing and music more accessible opening in Headingley this month
Clementine Hall
A new grassroots music space is opening in Headingley with a mission to make DJing, vinyl and music culture more accessible.
Meanhood Studios, founded by long-time LS6 residents Jim and Katie Young, will combine a professional DJ rehearsal studio, record shop, performance space and tuition hub all under one roof.
Their aim is simple, "to level the playing field in a scene that has often felt exclusive and gatekept.”
Meanhood started as a guerrilla pop-up record shop in lockdown when Jim started selling records from his personal collection.
Built solely on quality and word-of-mouth reputation, the venture quickly grew into a respected local record spot known for its carefully curated vinyl selection.
Images: Supplied
Jim’s roots trace back to Manchester’s late-90s free party scene, he began DJing at 17 and from Hyde Park house parties to residencies at legendary clubs, he went on to host nights featuring artists who would later become major names in UK dance music.
Katie grew up in rural Cumbria, discovering music through pirate radio, library tapes and out-of-town raves. After moving to Leeds for university, she built a 20-year corporate career while supporting events, fly-posting for club nights and working behind the scenes.
“DJing is so much more than pushing buttons,” says Jim. “You’ve got to love it when no one’s watching. We want to share that knowledge and remove some of the barriers we experienced.”
Meanhood Studios will open on Friday 13 March and will offer access to equipment, rehearsal space, vinyl records and tuition for aspiring DJs and music lovers.
It's more important now than ever to support grassroots music venues, and we can't wait to check out this new space.
Sophie Smith -
16th February 2023 
