Introducing The Break-in, a brand-new immersive game merging AI with VR by The Park VR.
Have you ever wanted to escape everyday life and enter into a virtual reality? Well, now you can.
Thanks to the masterminds at The Park VR located just outside Leeds city centre in Burley, their virtual reality games have now gotten a whole lot more exciting as they introduce a new experience that combines VR with artificial intelligence.
The Break-in has been carefully designed to fully immerse players in an interactive and unique story using cutting-edge AI technology.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Unlike any other experience you can find in the city, if you’re looking for a unique day out with your mates in Leeds then this is the perfect option for you.
Players must work together to solve puzzles and stop their own personalised artwork from getting stolen from pesky criminals, think you're up to the challenge?
Set in the fictional Crompton Bank which towers over the bustling city, teams of 2-8 must join forces on a life-changing mission to retrieve a valuable masterpiece from the guarded vault.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Your special forces team will have to navigate lasers, solve tricky puzzles and find keycards to escape the criminals who are on your tail.
Before entering the mysterious Crompton Bank, you'll be asked personalised questions which allow AI to create the masterpiece you'll be on the hunt to save.
So if you've ever wanted to star in your very own crime thriller, now is your chance. And afterwards, why not grab a drink in their chilled out bar area to discuss your experience.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Peter Vindevogel, CEO of The Park, said: “It’s always exciting to introduce a new experience to our players. The Break-in adds to our diverse library of original IPs to continue to accommodate all guests, regardless of their age or interests. I’m thrilled that we’re continuing our journey of bringing AI technology into the VR world with the introduction of The Break-in.
“We believe that technology should always be used in a way that creates the best-possible experience for our customers and in this instance, integrating AI is allowing us to create a truly unique and social experience, each and every time it’s played.”
Bookings for this exciting new experience in Leeds are now open, so if you think you're up for the challenge then you can book online at The Park’s website.
Ever fancied naming a bin lorry? Well today is your lucky day, because now you can.
Yorkshire-based waste management experts Divert are celebrating the arrival of two swanky new tbin rucks by inviting the local community to help name them.
The iconic purple bins, vans and trucks can be seen across the Yorkshire area helping to clean up waste from Bradford to Harrogate.
Two new lorries are set to be joining the fleet in April and May, and of course they need a name.
And who better to ask than the general public? The winning names will be added to the cabs of each of the trucks for all to see, and announced via the Divert website and social media channels.
Absolutely anyone from across the UK is welcome to take part, but the company are especially keen for people from Yorkshire to enter.
You can be as creative as you like, but there are a couple of rules...
No swearing or offensive names. Aside from that, you can let your freak flag fly.
The Divert team are keen to hear the 'best celebrity puns, local namesakes, and downright silly names' the public have to offer.
John Verity, Managing Director of Divert, comments: “Naming our bin trucks is a great way to bring some joy to the local community. We hope to bring a smile to the faces of passing drivers and pedestrians as our fleet passes by.
“Not only that, naming our lorries can help our drivers to take pride and ownership in the vehicles they drive and be a key reminder of our engagement within the community. We’re always keen to employ any initiatives that help the public to engage with us and ensure we’re seen as a friendly face in the area.”
Winners will be voted for by the team internally, and the competition closes at 5 pm on 31 March 2026.
Leeds has been crowned one of the funniest cities in the UK
Clementine Hall
The UK cities with the best sense of humour have been revealed, and Leeds has made the top ten list.
The very serious research was commissioned by snack company Cheez-It, who partnered with comedian Jason Manford to launch its ‘Comedy Credit Service’, which saw the comedian visiting London to help lift the locals' mood.
The research revealed Liverpool as the city in the UK with the best sense of humour, with 16% of 2,000 people interviewed naming it the place most likely to have them laughing.
The poll showed a very clear north-south divide, with only London and Brighton making it into the top ten list.
Leeds came in at a very respectable number 9, which we will absolutely take. It must be our classic Yorkshire wit.
The research also revealed that 66% of Brits think they are funny, with the most common humour style people identified with was dry or sarcastic.
The top 10 cities with the best sense of humour
1. Liverpool
2. Glasgow
3. London
4. Newcastle-upon-Tyne
5. Birmingham
6. Manchester
7. Belfast
8. Edinburgh
9. Leeds
10. Brighton & Hove
Rui Frias from Cheez-It, said: “We know comfort comes in all shapes and sizes – a shared laugh, or a much‑needed escape from the February slump.
“That’s why we’ve packed our prize pot with joy-boosters designed to brighten even the greyest day, from ‘Comedy Night In’ bundles to mini ‘Cheer Up Kits’ and even laughter yoga.
“And because we’re proudly pro-cheese in every sense, it’s brilliant to see just how much humour matters to people right now.
“Britain’s famous for its dry sarcasm and razor‑sharp wit — and while the North may still claim the crown, we’re hoping a few belly laughs can help spread the joy nationwide.”
Clementine Hall -
14th December 2023 
