Leeds

Here’s what Leeds City Railway Station will look like in 2025

The plans are due to be fully completed by September 2025.

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 20th September 2023

The CGI photos showing what the railway station will look like when the work is finished makes it look like we're in for a real transformation.

Since March 2023, the Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme moved to work on Leeds Train Station, now we're six months in, with another two years of construction work ahead.

So what exactly is set to change during this time?

The proposed facelift will see the space outside the train station transition into a pedestrian-friendly space with additional cycle lanes and relocation of the taxi rank.

The plans form part of the the Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme, with a whopping £39.5 million investment dedicated to giving a refurb of the areas surrounding the station.

Initially it was reported that the work is expected to be completed in its entirety in early 2024, however Leeds City Council has now reported that work is due to be complete by September 2025.

outside of train station.
Image: Leeds City Council

According to Leeds City Council, the new work on Leeds train station will include the following changes:

  • Pedestrianising New Station Street, including the section which meets Boar Lane, with outdoor seating and rest areas, and landscaping 
  • Relocating the existing taxi rank to Bishopgate Street where there will be a large and well-lit shelter and room for six vehicles, also allowing for kerb-side boarding which will help people with wheelchairs or assistance dogs to board more easily                                                                 
  • Two 21-passenger lifts from Bishopgate Street to the station entrance on New Station Street, providing step-free access between the two streets.                                                                                                                                            
  • A high quality cycle hub at the station, which will include electric charging points and storage for all types of cycles.                                                                                                    
  • Environmental improvements to Neville Street and Dark Neville Street including enhanced lighting, road surface and pavement and elevation treatments.
  • Installing high quality cycle infrastructure on Bishopgate Street and Neville Street, and improvements to cycling infrastructure in surrounding communities.

The plans are due to be fully completed by September 2025.

From May 2023,  the northern section of New Station Street from the station’s main entrance towards City Square will be closed to vehicles but pedrestrians will still be able to walk towards Boar Lane from the main entrance or northern entrance. During this time the taxi rank will begin its move to Princes Square. Currently Network Rail is liaising with  private hire and hackney carriage services with details of the arrangements.

outside of train station.
Image: Leeds City Council

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Leeds City Rail Station is one of the busiest in the country - it’s a gateway to a vibrant city, as well as many destinations across our region and beyond. 

“Growing our economy, connecting more people with opportunities and tackling the climate emergency are at the heart of making West Yorkshire an even better place to live and work, and these improvements are key to that.”

Read More:

You can read more about the plans to develop the area surrounding Leeds train station, and the rest of the Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme here.

Feature Image- Leeds City Council

Leeds

Leeds’ first sauna and ice bath cafe is coming to the city centre this spring

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept is on its way.

Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast is gearing up to bring its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.

Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds will combine saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.

The Leeds space will feature two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.

Images: Supplied

Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.

To suit different moods and preferences, Kontrast Leeds will include both a social sauna and a
silent sauna, giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.

Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.

Image: Supplied

Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven,
Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These
include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly
run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of
community in the city.

The Leeds site builds on everything the team has learned from Kontrast in Manchester.

Alongside the core sauna, Ice, cafe offering, the new site will include improved facilities, more
spacious sauna provision and additional ice baths meaning more room for people to get involved.

Read more:

Featured image - Supplied

Leeds

Myles Smith announces HUGE arena gig in Leeds this year

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Singer-songwriter Myles Smith has just announced his biggest headline tour and is set to play a huge arena gig in Leeds this year.

Quit ‘Stargazing’ and get ready to fight for tickets as Myles Smith has just announced he’ll be visiting Leeds later this year for his biggest arena gig to date.

Known for hits like ‘Nice To Meet You’, ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’ and ‘Wait For You’, this BRIT School graduate is now heading on the road for some headline shows across the UK.

Recognised for his folk-pop sound, Smith has built quite a name for himself just three or so years into his career, with solo efforts and a few collaborations under his belt.

Myles Smith is heading to First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds, on tour this year / Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Myles Smith is heading to First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds, on tour this year / Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Myles Smith is heading to First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds, on tour this year / Credit: Press shots (supplied)

Recently, the Luton-born artist collaborated with some well-known names like Shaboozey on their track ‘Blink Twice’ and even features on a new single from former One Direction member Niall Horan titled ‘Drive Safe’.

It was only last year that the ‘Stargazing’ songwriter visited Leeds, bringing his high-energy hits to O2 Academy back in February.

Now, Smith is ready to tackle an arena crowd and has chosen Leeds First Direct Bank Arena and is expected to raise the roof when 13,500 fans flock to the star’s show this winter.

Titled after his upcoming album My Mess, My Life, My Heart, Smith will be playing a variety of well-known and brand new hits when he makes his way up North.

Fans who are signed up to the official artist presale can get exclusive access to tickets from Wednesday, 25 March at 10am, with the window closing on Friday, 27 March at 9am.

Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live by 10 am that same Friday (27 Mar).

Myles Smith is embarking on his ‘My Mess, My Life, My Heart’ tour this winter and visiting First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds on Sunday 8 November – tickets and more info HERE.

Read more:

Featured Images - Press Shots via supplied

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