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.
Authentic Turkish street food is coming to Kirkgate.
Leeds city centre is gearing up to welcome yet another new food spot, and this one is all about homemade lahmacun, shawarma wraps and plenty of signature tahini sauce.
Tahin will open its doors at 10 Kirkgate, next to The Cat Cafe, and with signs already up we don't think it'll be long until they welcome their first customers.
The restaurant is listed as a Turkish restaurant that specialise in their homemade tahini sauce, hence the name.
According to the restaurant's Instagram profile which has been going for a few years, Tahin also specialises in home-made lahmacun wraps alongside shawarma wraps.
For anyone unfamiliar with lahmacun, the Turkish staple is often described as a thin, crispy flatbread topped with a richly seasoned mixture of minced meat, herbs and vegetables.
Wrapped up with fresh salad and sauces, it makes for a satisfying and flavourful lunch to enjoy on-the-go.
Their Instagram suggests that Tahin once existed before back in 2022, so although this may not be a completely new venture, we're nevertheless very glad to see them back.
Its location puts it right in the middle of one of Leeds' busiest areas, making it the perfect mid-shopping pit stop for those wandering around Briggate or stopping for a bite to eat before heading out on the town.
The new opening comes at a time when Leeds' food scene is continuing to expand, with a string of independent restaurants and street-food concepts opening across the city centre throughout 2026.
This Leeds bistro has been named one of the best restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around
Clementine Hall
A much-loved neighbourhood Leeds restaurant has been given another major accolade.
There’s no shortage of brilliant places to eat in Leeds, but one Horsforth bistro has just been given a pretty huge seal of approval - and it might be worth planning your next staycation around.
The brilliant Bavette has been named one of the best neighbourhood restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around by Condé Nast Traveller, appearing alongside a handpicked list of restaurants from across the country.
The list celebrates neighbourhood restaurants that are worth travelling for, with the magazine highlighting the growing appeal of venturing outside of busy city centres in search of smaller, more intimate places to eat.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And Leeds has bagged itself a spot thanks to Bavette, and we can't say we're surprised.
The French-inspired neighbourhood bistro is run by chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Clément Cousin.
Since opening in 2024, Bavette has quickly become one of the city's most talked-about restaurants, attracting diners far beyond its Horsforth home and scooping up accolades such as the 2024 Good Food Guide's Best UK Local Restaurant, a 2025 and 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand, and a place in the 2026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100.
Condé Nast Traveller hails Bavette as "a true neighbourhood gem", saying: "The restaurant takes its cues from the couple’s London bistro roots, serving hearty yet elegant dishes made with seasonal ingredients.”
They finish by saying: "Reservations are hard to come by - but so worth it once you get your foot in the door."
We really couldn't agree more.
And while a trip to Horsforth might not technically count as a staycation for us Leeds locals, Bavette is certainly one restaurant worth crossing the city for.
Clementine Hall -
14th December 2023 
