The office is busier than ever in Leeds thanks to recent development in the city centre.
Like thousands of other commuters around the country, Leeds workers are flocking back to the office in their masses this morning.
The influx of new opportunities within the hustle and bustle of the city centre is thought to have been made possible thanks to the likes of Channel 4, Platform and 34 Boar Lane all opening their doors over the past twelve months to new creative and tech talent.
Platform. / Image: Bruntwood SciTech
A spokesperson for Knight Frank, the UK's leading independent estate agents, stated this week that the knock on effect of bringing national TV giants Channel 4 to the city has allowed Leeds to become "a magnet for bright, young tech, media and creative companies".
This comes after a challenging year of turbulent orders from the government in a bid to tackle the coronavirus pandemic from spreading through places of work. 2021 was a year of messages to work from home, then back in the office, then from home again- yet it was office space that thrived in places like City Square.
According to the Office for National Statistics, 85% of workers would still like the opportunity to work from a physical office or co-working space for at least part of the week- even when 100% of all jobs can be completed from home.
Platform, next to Leeds Railway Station is home to Leeds' only dedicated Tech Hub, but like so many other spaces popping up around the city, they're offering the opportunity to collaborate in a thriving co-working space with some of the latest SciTech experts.
Platform. / Image: Bruntwood SciTech
Knight Frank predict a 5% increase in rental overhead costs this year, suggesting that 2022 is set to be another busy year of development in office space in the city. This would take £34 per sq ft prices to around £36 and thought to come as a result of "high standard of some of the new office space which coming on to the market".
Platform. / Image: Bruntwood SciTech
For others, the arrival of new spaces over the past year has been an opportunity to progress and climb the career ladder. Channel 4 in particular have brought a huge opportunity for media creatives and this is only set to increase into the new year with a wave of new positions available.
The organisation is currently searching to fill roles in everything from TV production to Design Assistants, HR Operation Leads and Social Analysts.
The Guardian previously reported that the move from London to Leeds was fuelled by a fight against privatisation and that the huge office space on City Square opened in September as a workspace for around 200 of their 900+ employees.
Whilst the majority of these roles state that Leeds is the job's location, those interested in the vacancies will need to check individually which roles will involve commuting to their huge headquarters in the city centre.
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
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.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one 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.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
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.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Sophie Smith -
4th January 2022 
