Leeds
Leeds parks could receive share of £9 million Levelling Up funding
Leeds could be one of 85 spots in England to receive funds.
A Levelling Up Parks Fund has set aside £9 million to create new green spaces in urban areas and improve existing parks.
85 of the areas in England that are thought to be most deprived of outdoor space are set to receive a share of the funds: Liverpool, Birmingham and 16 different boroughs of London have been named by the government as focus areas but Leeds is also thought to make up the 100 different spaces in the UK receiving the funding.
Rather than a bidding process, the fund will be allocated according to where the government feels needs 'quality green space' the most.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up Greg Clark MP said: "Parks and green spaces are at the heart of our communities, providing sanctuary from the bustling streets of our towns and cities and spaces for people to relax and come together.
The investment into green spaces will see £2 million dedicated to tree planting to combat CO2 emissions and clean the area for both local wildlife and visitors in the area.
The news comes after Leeds was awarded for its green spaces and parks with a coveted Green Flag Award just last week.
Golden Acre Park, Kirkstall Abbey, Middleton Park, Otley Chevin Forest Park, Pudsey Park, Roundhay Park and Temple Newsam Estate were all recognised with the award, and "
Golden Acre Park, Kirkstall Abbey, Middleton Park, Otley Chevin Forest Park, Pudsey Park, Roundhay Park and Temple Newsam Estate were all recognised with the award, and "recognises the beautifully maintained environment within the parks and the excellent visitor facilities."
Following the announcement, Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for public health and active lifestyles, commented: “After two years that have seen our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that these parks have achieved the Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that make the green spaces a great space that everyone can enjoy.
Read More: Leeds Roundhay Park has been rated one of the most beautiful in the UK
“We are very focussed on continuing with our ambition of ensuring that all communities in Leeds have access to good quality green space and maintaining and looking after our current green spaces is vital to that.”
It is hoped that this new Levelling Up Parks Fund can bring the rest of the city to life with park spaces whilst combatting CO2 emissions here in Leeds.
It is thought that Leeds will find out if it has been allocated funding in the coming months.
Feature Image- Leeds City Council
Leeds
Wakefield set to be the first city outside of London to display the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt
Clementine Hall
The UK Aids Memorial Quilt is set to go on display across Wakefield this summer.
The quilt - consisting of 42 quilts and 23 individual panels, representing over 384 individuals affected by HIV and AIDS - will go on display at WX Wakefield from Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 June 2026.
All 42 quilts will be on display, with WX working in partnership with the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Conservation Partnership.
Across the same weekend, selected individual panels will be displayed at different venues across the city including The Hepworth Wakefield, The Art House Wakefield, Theatre Royal Wakefield, Pontefract Castle and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Part of the world’s largest community art project, this is a huge opportunity for the city of Wakefield. The project started in the USA back in 1985 by activist Cleve Jones, commemorating friends, family and loved ones lost to AIDS.
Individual panels were then stitched together to create larger quilts, which were shown outdoors as a form of protest to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.
Today, the quilt stands as a crucial reminder of those who were lost and of the continuing affect that HIV and AIDS has on the people of today.
At WX Wakefield, viewing the quilt is completely free and on Friday 5 June there will be a special late night opening up until 10:30pm to view the exhibition.
And on Saturday 6 June at 2:30pm, there will be a very special and poignant reading of the names of those commemorated on the quilt.
You can find out more about this very special exhibition here at WX Wakefield's website.
Read more: Team behind Mint Warehouse to open new 2,000 capacity venue in Leeds with strict no-phone policy
Featured image - UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, installation view at Tate Modern, June 2025. Photo: AM Hanson
Leeds
Leeds’ first frozen yoghurt bar is opening in Headingley this weekend
Clementine Hall
The frozen yoghurt craze is on its way to Leeds as Kefiyo is set to open in Headingley in just a few days.
It's a phenomenon that has caught the attention of the TikTok and Instagram girlies as of late, with frozen yoghurt bars popping up in Manchester and going viral online.
The ice cold sweet treat is supposedly 'healthy' and with a slogan of 'eat Clean. feel Light. live Better.' - this new spot in Leeds seems to be going down that route too.
Kefiyo will be opening in the old Sixes site on Ash Road in Headingley, and they've just announced that they'll be soft launching this Sunday 19 April 2026.
The space is already sporting a super cute pastel green and pink exterior, and it's exactly matching the aesthetic that you'd expect with froyo.
Kefiyo will offer a range of frozen yoghurt flavours with a whole bunch of toppings for you to customise to your tastebuds, as well as fresh acai bowls.
Situated slap bang in the centre of Headingley, we've got a feeling it'll be very busy with students on their way to their morning lecture or at night for those looking for a sweet treat that doesn't feel too naughty.
We'll keep you updated on more Kefiyo updates as and when we find out.
But in the meantime, you can keep an eye on their socials here. We'll see you soon for a scoop Leeds.
Read more:
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
Sophie Smith -
3rd August 2022 
