Temple Works in Holbeck is a magnificent Grade-I listed building drenched in history and is famous for a number of reasons, and rightly so.
Known for it's incredible Ancient Egyptian design, the former flax mill was built back in 1836 and covers over two-acres of land.
Even today it is a sight to behold, but in the 19th century it was a feat of gargantuan proportions. In fact, the huge factory floor, where more than a thousand people used to work, was once the single biggest room in the entire world, cool right?
And it doesn't just stop there, in order to maintain the correct humidity levels in the mill, sheep would live on top of the building and graze all day long on the grass-covered roof. This would ensure that the linen thread would not dry out and therefore wouldn't break.
Image: Wikimedia Commons and Flickr: Elias Rovielo
Throughout this time Leeds became the epicentre of the flax industry, with Temple Works becoming a focus point in the city.
Just a few years after it was built it even became a hub for futuristic technological advancement when the problem of getting the sheep onto the roof was solved with the invention of the first ever hydraulic lift.
Temple Works became a conventional textile mill in the year 1900 before morphing into the northern headquarters of Kay’s catalogue during the 1950s.
Sadly it now sits derelict and lifeless, in desperate need of rejuvenation and restoration.
After a recent restoration plan from British fashion house Burberry fell through, the mill now lies in the hands of the CEG Group. Currently Leeds City Council are exploring the potential for it to be used as the base for British Library North which would be a fantastic way to rejuvenate such an important and iconic building.
Take a look at our Short Stuff series where we explore Leeds to uncover all the hidden gems, interesting facts and places to visit in our city.
Yard Act are back as they announce first round of UK headline dates since 2024.
We are so, so back.
It's been a few years, but Yard Act have just announced a small selection of UK gigs for later in the year including a homecoming gig at the O2 Academy on Friday 6 November.
The dates follow the band’s first show of the year at the 6Music Festival this Friday across The Pennines in Manchester.
After Leeds, the lads will be performing shows at the O2 Victoria Warehouse on Friday 13 November before making their way down south to the O2 Academy in Brixton on Thursday 26 November.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Yard Act completed the touring for their critically acclaimed second album Where’s My Utopia? with a victory lap back home at the 5000 capacity Millennium Square in Leeds in August 2024.
It was a record that brought a stark change of pace to the acerbic, post-punk of their debut, embracing something altogether more playful and bringing a different energy. It shifted the dynamic on stage too, with the addition of dancing backing singers and additional musicians and openly challenged listeners to reconsider who they thought Yard Act were.
Since then, the band have remained active, whether writing Where’s My Utopia’s follow-up on scratching the itch to get back on stage, heading out across the UK and Europe with The Hives, which was preceded by an intimate one-off show at Blackpool Tower last May.
Following a lengthy stint in the studio, the band now look to the Autumn for three big UK dates and we cannot wait.
Tickets go on artist presale from 10am on Wednesday 25 March before hitting general sale at 10am on Friday 27 March. Sign up here.
Viral brunch cafe Acai and the Tribe is coming to Leeds city centre this spring
Clementine Hall
Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.
Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.
Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Images: The Manc Group
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."
They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.
It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.
Clementine Hall -
2nd August 2022 
