Last week, Leeds City Council started unveiling its roadwork-free spaces across the city centre- and the new green space outside the Corn Exchange has been more than well received.
Holding a day of celebrations for the new city spaces, which are covered in trees and seats with no vehicle access, the corner of Call Lane was packed with arts, music and dance performances.
The events were all staged on the new pedestrianised area, which has been under construction for the past year. Including performances from Opera North, Foxwood Panyard with bhangra and breakdance performances to keep all ages entertained whilst they perched on a new seat to admire the greenery or take part in craft activities, face painting or learnt new circus skills.
Image: Leeds City Council
Forming an important part of a public realm scheme and a major package of Connecting Leeds highways improvements, (included as a component of the £173.5 million Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme)- if you haven't seen the difference the removal of the roadworks makes, you'll struggle to recognise the Call Lane corner.
Saturday's celebrations marked both the £1.2million public realm scheme and the wider £25m highways improvements project. This included seeing the likes of Regent Street Flyover finally open for full public use, which has been under construction since May 2022.
Regent Street Flyover opened on Friday 13 May 2022. / Image: Leeds City Council
In addition to this, Leeds City Council had been working in tandem with the construction on Meadow Lane, Cookridge Street and Greek Street and made these areas roadwork-free as construction finally came to an end last week.
According to Leeds City Council, the new unveilings “underline the council’s commitment to giving Leeds a greener, better connected and more inclusive city centre.”
During the event, speeches were given by Councillor James Lewis, the leader of the council, and Councillor Helen Hayden, the council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate, as well as important figures from the construction.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate, commented that “It was wonderful to see so many people out enjoying themselves at the event – there was a lovely atmosphere and we were delighted to receive plenty of positive feedback.
“We are really proud of the improvements that have been made around the Corn Exchange and this weekend’s celebrations were a great way of showcasing them to the public.
Image: Leeds City Council
Meanwhile, Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin shared her excitement at the new space, stating: “It was great to see so many people making use of this new space to relax.
“Improving cycling and walking forms a key part of my pledge to tackle the climate emergency.
“I'm delighted that the Combined Authority is able to play its part, not only in these schemes but others around our town and city centres, to create more green spaces and space for active travel."
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept is on its way.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast is gearing up to bring its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds will combine saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space will feature two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: Supplied
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
To suit different moods and preferences, Kontrast Leeds will include both a social sauna and a silent sauna, giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
Image: Supplied
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
The Leeds site builds on everything the team has learned from Kontrast in Manchester.
Alongside the core sauna, Ice, cafe offering, the new site will include improved facilities, more spacious sauna provision and additional ice baths meaning more room for people to get involved.
Myles Smith announces HUGE arena gig in Leeds this year
Thomas Melia
Singer-songwriter Myles Smith has just announced his biggest headline tour and is set to play a huge arena gig in Leeds this year.
Quit ‘Stargazing’ and get ready to fight for tickets as Myles Smith has just announced he’ll be visiting Leeds later this year for his biggest arena gig to date.
Known for hits like ‘Nice To Meet You’, ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’ and ‘Wait For You’, this BRIT School graduate is now heading on the road for some headline shows across the UK.
Recognised for his folk-pop sound, Smith has built quite a name for himself just three or so years into his career, with solo efforts and a few collaborations under his belt.
Myles Smith is heading to First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds, on tour this year / Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Recently, the Luton-born artist collaborated with some well-known names like Shaboozey on their track ‘Blink Twice’ and even features on a new single from former One Direction member Niall Horan titled ‘Drive Safe’.
It was only last year that the ‘Stargazing’ songwriter visited Leeds, bringing his high-energy hits to O2 Academy back in February.
Now, Smith is ready to tackle an arena crowd and has chosen Leeds First Direct Bank Arena and is expected to raise the roof when 13,500 fans flock to the star’s show this winter.
Titled after his upcoming album My Mess, My Life, My Heart, Smith will be playing a variety of well-known and brand new hits when he makes his way up North.
Fans who are signed up to the official artist presale can get exclusive access to tickets from Wednesday, 25 March at 10am, with the window closing on Friday, 27 March at 9am.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live by 10 am that same Friday (27 Mar).
Myles Smith is embarking on his ‘My Mess, My Life, My Heart’ tour this winter and visiting First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds on Sunday 8 November – tickets and more info HERE.
Sophie Smith -
16th May 2022 
