Leeds

Leeds has been crowned the UK’s top construction hotspot

Leeds is leading the way.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 4th August 2026

Leeds has been ranked the number one city in the UK for construction growth.

Well well well, it seems we've got another accolade under our belt.

A new survey has revealed that Leeds leads the way in national construction growth, outdoing London and other major cities. How cool is that?

It's all down to a number of factors, including high housing completions, strong planning activity, and thriving construction businesses.  

The findings are all down to Astrak’s new Construction Hotspot Index, which analysed job availability, planning activity, housing completions and construction businesses across 12 major UK cities.  

Leeds performed strongly across all key indicators used in the index, beating the likes of Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham in the national rankings.

Key findings for Leeds included:

  • 1,343 live construction job adverts – one of the highest in the UK  
  • 1,017 planning application decisions in Q2 2025 – a strong indicator of future developments   
  • 4,327 housing completions – the latest government annual data shows the highest rate per capita  
  • 3,760 construction businesses – per capita, second only to London  

James Coughlan, CMO at Astrak, commented: “Leeds is clearly a city building for the future. With strong demand for skilled workers, a thriving business base and thousands of new homes completed, it’s a great time to be in construction here.   

“The city offers a wide range of opportunities – from on-site trades to technical and office-based roles, and with even more growth forecast, we expect demand for talent to keep rising well into 2026 and beyond.”  

We can't say we're surprised, and although it may be frustrating for construction to be popping up here there and everywhere the city is benefitting from recent developments such as Aire Park and the South Village.

What do you make of these findings?

Read more: The UK’s largest independent frozen yoghurt brand is opening in Leeds

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Leeds

An all-day cafe and bar has just opened in one of Leeds’ most historic buildings – and it’s been packed ever since

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

One of Leeds city centre’s most iconic buildings has been just transformed into one of the coolest new spaces we’ve come across.

Introducing Moods - a new all-day cafe, bar and events space that has just opened at First White Cloth Hall on Kirkgate in the centre of town last Friday 31 July.

Created by husband-and-wife founders Will and Hayley Moody, the team behind Buzz Club Tattoo, Moods occupies the ground floor of the Grade II* listed building and it's just as beautiful as you can imagine.

Exposed brick, floor to ceiling windows, mid-century furniture and muted furnishings, a lot of love has gone into this place and you can truly tell.

Image: The Hoot Leeds

They do it all, whether you're popping in for a coffee and a spot of brunch or swinging by for a few carefully curated cocktails and some small plates to share with friends.

The kitchen id led by Head Chef Craig Rogan, who trained within Simon Rogan's Michelin-starred
restaurant group, including time at L'Enclume and Fera at Claridge's.

The pre-noon menu includes everything from organic yoghurt with mixed fruit compote to a mushroom crumpet topped with old Winchester cheese and truffle honey.

Their post-noon features a salt-baked beetroot salad, fried chicken with brioche and heritage carrots with ewes curd and black garlic.

It's an exciting menu from an exciting chef in an equally as exciting venue, and we can't wait for you to visit and fall in love with it as much as we have.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Will Moody said: "Leeds has been our home since university, and First White Cloth Hall felt like the
kind of building you do not get a second chance with. From the moment we saw it, we knew it could
become much more than a studio home.

"Moods is about opening the ground floor up and giving people a reason to use the building from morning through to night, whether that is coffee, food, drinks, private events or simply a good catch-up with friends."

Moods is open now and you can find out more and book your table here.

Read more: A Japanese-inspired cafe serving spam sandos and traditional tonkatsu has opened in Leeds

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Leeds

The UK’s largest independent frozen yoghurt brand is opening in Leeds

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

The frozen yoghurt craze is taking over the city by storm.

Summer is well and truly in full swing, which means we are constantly craving a refreshing ice-cold treat.

And it seems like a certain someone may have been listening, as Frurt has announced they'll be opening in Leeds.

What is Frurt you may ask? Born in Manchester over 15 years ago, Frurt is now the UK's largest independent frozen yoghurt brand that has become a multi-award-winning staple of the Manchester food and drink scene.

They sell a range of every changing yoghurt flavours, including gluten free and vegan options, with all the toppings you could possibly pile on.

Images: The Manc Group

It seems though that their spot in Leeds will differ from the rest, as they'll be opening inside Morrison's over in Kirkstall.

Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Frurt said: "The Next Chapter Begins.Sixteen years ago, Frurt opened its doors with one mission: to serve the very best frozen yogurt experience.

"Today, we’re incredibly proud to announce our biggest milestone yet. Frurt is proudly partnering with @morrisons , with our first kiosk opening in Leeds.

"This isn’t just a new location, it’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we bring Frurt to even more communities across the UK. To every customer, franchisee, supplier and member of the Frurt family who has supported us over the past 16 years, thank you. Your support has made moments like this possible.

"Leeds, we’ll see you very soon."

We can't wait to welcome Frurt to our city, and we'll keep you updated as usual with any more information when we get it.

Read more:

Featured image - The Manc Group

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