The new wellness and social hub will be taking over the previous Alea Casino on Leeds Dock.
The casino closed it's doors back in March 2013 and saw two planning applications come and go without approval.
Now, a new planning application submitted by Allied London on behalf of All Work and Social will see the four-storey building transform into a media, technology and creative business space.
The managed workspace concept, Department, is launching its search for founding members at its first Leeds site, which will be fully operational from October 2022.
Department will join the vibrant, creative waterside community which is currently home to Sky and Channel 4.
So, what is it for? The brand new space is aimed at young start-up companies all the way up to large business. There will be a host of hot desks, private office suites, satellite function rooms, meeting rooms and an impressive glass boardroom, all set across three floors.
Image: PR
The new venture will create approximately 4,000 new jobs and has the potential to create over 1,000 new homes.
And it doesn't just stop there, within the complex there will also be new eateries for people to enjoy including Pizza Express, The Canary Bar and North Star Coffee. A state-of-the-art gym and cinema will also feature.
Anthony Powell, managing director at Department, said: “Relationships with workspaces are completely different to how they were two years ago. Now, businesses need adaptability, flexibility and somewhere that is more than a workplace. We’ve had great success in Manchester with Department Bonded Warehouse, forming communities of businesses that share facilities, and therefore ideas and creativity, and giving workforces added value from their working days."
"Brands and businesses looking to join Department will find themselves within a wider creative community at Leeds Dock."
The new space is set to open in October and will be a huge asset to the Leeds community.
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 -
14th July 2022 
