The Leeds-Hull rivalry goes way deeper than football, it's now displayed on the 'Welcome to Hull' sign.
It's an open secret that certain counties in Yorkshire like to think they're better than Leeds and whilst we completely disagree, it's funny to think about the unnecessary vendetor that the likes of Sheffield, Hull and other Yorkshire cities have against Leeds.
Now, the people of Hull have taken the rivalry to an unprecedented level after a new 'Welcome to Hull' sign has appeared with mock at our city, reading 'Welcome to Hull: We know we aren't perfect but at least we aren't Leeds'.
BBC News Presenter, Peter Levy was one of the first to spot the mysterious sign and ask the council who put the sign up before sharing his adoration of the sign.
The BBC presenter tweeted, "Bottom line of signs just been put up. Not sure who at @Hullccnews is responsible for this but it’s genius. Love it."
The council have since stated that the sign is suspected to be "a bit of mischievous fun", but that doesn't appear to have stopped Twitter users questioning the sign's authenticity, or why they're desperate to put a downer on Leeds in the first place.
Hull was named the 'Capital of Culture' in 2019. / Image: 43 Clicks North
The responses to the sign have been mixed, fuelling the rivalry of the two cities even further. One user tweeted "When I lived in Sheffield we used to watch Look North for Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire, as we refuse to watch the one coming from Leeds", and another jibed "Cool [.] please leave it on there"
Meanwhile, plenty of others jumped to the defence of Leeds, suggesting the sign was in bad taste.
One Twitter user said, " [I] Suggest the people of Kingston Upon the River Hull don't need to have snide remarks defaming another city in order to welcome visitors. No city is perfect, we have nothing to be ashamed of and everything to be proud of. Please get the line covered up asap and apologise to Leeds."
'We know we aren't perfect but at least we aren't Leeds. / Image: Peter Levy, Twitter
Other comments included: "I think that is disrespectful. Yes, have great pride in your city but not at the defamation of another" and "Oh come on, surely we're better than that. What a great way to stir up trouble with away fans, visiting our City. What dimwit on our council thought that one up ?The signs need changing anyway, our City is called Kingston-upon-Hull."
Hull City Council have since issued a statement to clarify that the sign was not changed by the council itself and was just a bit of fun by a prankster that's got Yorkshire talking.
Whilst it may all be a bit of banter to Hull, it seems that the sign has sparked more comments about the whether the city should be preferred as Hull or Kingston Upon Hull.
"Please can you put back the rest of the city‘s name. It’s Kingston Upon Hull"
"The people of Hull spoke in a referendum that they wanted Hull over the full Kingston-upon-Hull but let's not talk about referendums as people get a tad touchy."
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding yet again.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
And there really is no stopping them as just one month after opening a lovely kiosk in the famed Victoria Quarter, North Star is opening another site on Great George Street. Hurrah!
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can find the new North Star opposite the LGI, sporting its fabulous bright colours that will be sure to wake you up even if the coffee doesn't.
At this site there will be all the caffeinated beverages as well as house-made bakes and sandwiches available to grab-and-go.
And we don't have long to wait to check it out, as they'll be opening their doors this Monday 27 July.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
“While it’s easy to focus on the challenges facing hospitality, we still believe deeply in the role that cafés play in our city's community,” said Holly Kragiopoulos, CEO of North Star Coffee Roasters.
“They are places where people come together, to meet, to pause, to connect. Choosing to invest now is a reflection of our belief in Leeds, and in the long-term value of creating spaces people genuinely want to spend time in.”
“These new sites allow us to create meaningful opportunities for both new and existing team members,” Holly added.
“Hospitality is ultimately about people - both those we serve and those who make the experience possible. As a Leeds-born business, we’re incredibly proud to continue investing in our city. The support we’ve had from day one is what’s made this growth possible.”
Bus operator partners with Leeds hospitals to help mums-to-be make vital appointments
Clementine Hall
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Sophie Smith -
13th January 2022 
