Get ready for Drift Shop, an immersive drift karting experience which is set to open in the Merrion Centre later this year.
Now you've heard of go karting, but have you heard of drift karting? If you haven't, allow us to introduce you.
Drift karting is an adrenaline seeking adventure where drivers will zoom around the purpose-built track, competing against others to try and take home the trophy.
Drift Stop is the brainchild of owner and director Andreas Aristotelous, whom after building bespoke drift cars for his two young children during lockdown decided to bring the full on thrill seeking, immersive experience to Leeds.
The exciting new venue will also feature a range of arcade games offering a mix of classic and modern options from Ferrari Twin, Sega Rally and Street Fighter Multi-play to Table Football, Fastrack Air Hockey and Boxing. There will also be food and drink options available for you to refuel between races.
Image: PR
Opening in the popular Merrion Centre in the heart of the Leeds Arena Quarter, Drift Stop will be joining some of the city's most popular independent national eateries, big brand restaurants, cafes and entertainment values.
Andreas Aristotelous, owner/director of Drift Stop said; “I am thrilled that the Drift Stop vision to deliver a fun and affordable, fully immersive, audio, visual, sports & gaming entertainment venue in the heart of Leeds is now becoming a reality."
“One of the best graffiti artists in the business, Andy Parle has transformed the space with huge art installations that are set to assault the senses as guests drift around the track. We are confident the unique karting experience, combined with nostalgic tech and gameplay, will prove popular with all ages and be a fantastic addition to the city’s Arena Quarter”.
Bookings for the Drift Stop open September 2022, so if you're after an adrenaline hit then you can find it here.
Silver's Bakehouse is finally here, and it's just as fabulous as we'd hoped.
Just when you thought Leeds’ favourite sandwich spot couldn't get any better, they go and open a bakery.
Silver's Bakehouse has opened its beautiful pastel green doors today over in Farsley to queues of excited fans eager to get their first taste.
So, what's on offer at Silver's Bakehouse?
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Well, as masterminds of the almighty sandwich you'll be happy to know you can still get one here. However, their iconic sub sarnies have had an Italian makeover and are now served in fresh, springy sourdough which is baked onsite.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find brown butter buttermilk brownies (try saying that three times), a range of delicious cookies, sausage rolls, soft amaretti biscuits and Dark Arts tiramisu.
There's also a fab selection of Italian drinks on offer in a swanky new fridge, as well as a coffee menu so you can pick a brew to go hand in hand with your chosen baked good.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The interior is just as gorgeous, complete with yellow walls, red tiles and a mirror hanging above the baker's table so you can really see all the magic happen.
And trust us, it is magic.
There's a couple of benches outside so you can plonk yourself in the sunshine to enjoy your sarnie, which is what we'll be doing in this glorious bank holiday sunshine.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can really tell this is a proper labour of love, and Chris and the team have done a cracking job of keeping that Silver's spirit in there.
Go and say hello to congratulate them on this fabulous new opening, it's a great addition to Farsley and the Leeds foodie scene.
The Script announce HUGE arena gig in Leeds this year
Thomas Melia
Boyband and radio hitmakers The Script are coming to Leeds and are playing out alongside an equally big support act.
'For the First Time' in almost a year, The Script are playing a run of live shows across the UK including Leeds' First Direct Arena.
This Irish-based band have soundtracked generations with their hits spanning two decades including 'Hall of Fame', 'Breakeven', 'Superheroes' and more.
Consisting of lead vocalist Danny O'Donoghue with Benjamin Seargent on bass, guitarist Ben Weaver and drummer Adam Marcello, their music fuses pop and rock.
The Script has released three albums that have topped both UK and Ireland charts as well as four Top 10 singles and they're hoping to reign supreme on the charts once more with upcoming LP The User's Guide to Being Human.
Although the full album doesn't drop until August, Danny and the rest of the lads have dropped a single titled 'Man In The Arena'.
There's even a nod to the Northern music scene on the tracklist as one of the upcoming releases is labelled 'The Crowd Was Singing Wonderwall'.
Other tracks on this LP include 'Living Our Life Without Me', 'I'm 100 Different People' and a song that's sure to get a few tears out of all of us - 'Grow Old with Grace'.
As well as announcing this new run of shows set for Winter 2026, The Script are joining Take That on a stadium tour titled The Circus Live across June and July.
Joining The Script on their latest UK tour this Winter is James Morrison known for similar ballad-like hits including 'Broken Strings' and 'Wonderful World'.
The Script UK tour dates
Mon 2 November - Belfast, UK - SSE Arena
Thu 5 November - Newcastle, UK - Utilita Arena
Fri 6 November - Birmingham, UK - Utilita Arena
Sat 7 November - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
Mon 9 November - Nottingham, UK - Motorpoint Arena
Tue 10 November - Leeds, UK - First Direct Bank Arena
Thu 12 November - Aberdeen, UK - P&J Live
Fri 13 November - Glasgow, UK - OVO Hydro
Sat 14 November - Sheffield, UK - Utilita Arena
Mon 16 November - Bournemouth, UK - Bournemouth International Centre
Thu 19 November - Liverpool, UK - M&S Bank Arena
Sat 21 November - London, UK - The O2
The Script are visiting First Direct Arena on Tuesday 10 November 2026 for their The Man In The Arena Tour with tickets and more info HERE.
Clementine Hall -
22nd August 2022 
