A single stroll around Leeds and you can understand why it consistently makes lists of Best Cities to Live in.
Both culturally rich and economically vibrant, the Athens of the North doesn’t exactly need to be told what distincts it from others in terms of appeal, but why not do it anyway? Just in case you were in doubt about the place in which you grew up or are considering a big move to…
WE INVENTED CLUEDO
Well, Murder as it was originally known. Creator Anthony E. Pratt may have grown up in Birmingham, but in 1944 he took the idea for his board game to Waddington’s Games in Leeds. They loved it and five years* later, the rest was history.
*World War II delayed the release date.
HIPPOS ONCE ROAMED THE STREETS
This is mad, isn’t it? Hippos? Down Briggate? Apparently so, yeah.
In 1984, during the construction of the Armley Gyratory, the bones of an ancient hippo dating back 130,000 years were found. It remains one of the city’s greatest discoveries. You can see the thing for yourself at Leeds City Museum.
Leeds
WE ONCE HAD A TRAMLINE
Anyone who lives in Leeds has probably complained about the public transport at some point. Maybe that’s all you do. Calls for a tram system have been gaining popularity over the last decade and rightfully so.
It might anger you to know one has already been and gone. Been there, done that, got the highly-efficient tram across the city.
The transit system opened in October 1891 and used single-decker horse drawn trams until the introduction of steam and electric ones at the turn of the century. It sadly closed in 1959.
WE MADE THE FIRST EVER FILMS
It’s all Hollywood these days. Hollywood this, Hollywood that. But the motion picture has humble origins in, you guessed it, Leeds.
Now it wasn’t the invention of a Loiner, but French artist Louis Le Prince filmed the very first films in Leeds, where he’d lived since 1866. The Roundhay Garden Scene at Oakwood Grange and the Traffic Crossing Leeds Bridge (two classics you have to see before you die) were both shot in 1888 and paved the way for every movie since.
WE HAVE THE LONGEST RUNNING WEST INDIAN CARNIVAL IN EUROPE
The Notting Hill Carnival gang love to rub their big street party in the rest of are faces but the reality is, their beloved festival is a paltry imitation of a greater and older northern festival. Shock!
The Leeds West Indian Carnival has been going longer than any other in Europe, actually. Every August bank holiday weekend, Chapeltown puts on the best Caribbean-influenced parade the world has ever seen. And they’ve been doing so since 1967.
If you haven’t been, you’re really missing out.
Trinity Leeds
WE MADE FIZZY DRINKS
Leeds lad Joseph Priestley is one of the most improtant scientists of the 18th century. Why? He was credited with the discovery of oxygen.
His greatest achievement however, came with the invention of carbonated water. His method of infusing water with carbon dioxide gas was eventually nabbed by J.J. Schweppe in the late 18th century to start his world-famous drinks company.
WE HAVE THE LAST GAS-LIT CINEMA IN THE UK
The Hyde Park Picture House has long been a refuge of students and cinema buffs alike. It opened just before the outbreak of World War I in 1914 and continues to draw newcomers in 2021.
If you’re wanting to watch a film, new or old, you could pick worse places than this novelty getaway.
WE STARTED M&S
Alright, you probably knew this one. You should do anyway.
Michael Marks opened up a penny bazaar in Leeds’ Kirkgate Market back in 1884. A decade later, he teamed up with Tom Spencer to expand the business, moving to Boar Lane and then Briggate, where the store remains today.
WE GAVE THE INTERNET TO THE COUNTRY
Leeds? The world wide web? T’internet? Before anyone else? Yep.
In 1998, Leeds produced the UK’s first internet provider, Freeserve. It was later sold to a French company called Wannadoo in 2000 for a WHOPPING £1.65 billion. At the time, Freeserve had accumulated almost 2 million active customers.
So there you have it. Any more we should be aware of? Let us know.
News
Asda launches red shopping baskets to help singles meet the love of their life
Asda has decided to launch red baskets in stores to help single shoppers meet the love of their life.
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that dating in the modern world isn’t easy, right?
According to new Asda research, 94% of Brits say modern-day dating is hard to navigate, but what’s also clear is that face-to-face interactions still hold a special place – with a resounding 87% of people saying it’s better to meet someone in real life than on a dating app.
In fact, 77% of singles saying they’re not currently active on a dating app at all, and to top it all off, 64% say they fancy someone at their local supermarket.
So, with Valentine’s Day right around the corner now, Asda has decided to take matters into its own hands by placing special red baskets in select stores, giving singles a simple way to signal they’re open to a chat while picking up bread, browsing the bakery, or grabbing a few treats.
Unfortunately for us, the baskets will only appear in Leicester, Liverpool, and Glasgow, as this is where the research revealed people are most actively looking for love.
While the supermarket admits there’s no one ‘right’ way to meet someone, its research does suggest that 62% of couples who met face-to-face describe themselves as being ‘extremely happy’, compared with 51% of those who met online.
And that sense of connection goes beyond romance too, as among those couples who met in real life, 71% of them say they ‘trust their partner 100%’, while 66% describe their relationship as a ‘deep friendship’.
“We know people are craving real-life connections, but we also know our customers are busy and don’t always have the time to put themselves out there,” a spokesperson for Asda admitted.
“That’s why we’re turning the weekly shop into the ultimate meet-cute. These red baskets are a fun, light-hearted way to help people connect while they’re already doing their everyday shop – a simple, playful nudge to start a chat and maybe even spark a little romance.”
Featured Image – ASDA
News
10 of the best new openings coming to Leeds in 2026
Clementine Hall
Allow us to get you excited about the next one with a list of new openings coming to the city.
If you're feeling a little bit down in the dumps about 2025 ending then do not fear, because we've got a feeling that the next year is about to be even bigger and better.
There's already a great selection of restaurants, bars and shops gearing up to open up in Leeds during, so let us fill you in.
Salon Madre and Madre
Wellington Street
Image: The Manc Eats
Are you ready for a fresh taste of Mexico Leeds? Well you better be – because Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, is setting up shop on Wellington Street in due course.
Not only that, but their lively sibling Salon Madre will be opening next door on Friday 20 February. Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens. Madre will open one month later.
Trinity Kitchen 2.0
Image: Supplied
Trinity Leeds is embarking on a major transformation with a £15 million expansion, introducing a second food court called ‘Freight Island’ The upgrade will add around 72,000 sq ft of new space, including a stunning rooftop terrace overlooking City Square the perfect spot to enjoy great food with skyline views.
Burgerism
Meanwood
Image: The Manc Eats
You may remember when Burgerism had a delivery kitchen in Leeds, and ever since it closed we’ve had a Burgerism-shaped hole in our hearts. Well not any longer, because the Manchester-based burger chain has been given the go ahead to open a takeaway on Meanwood Road - hallelujah.
Dishoom
Taking over the old Flannels Site on Vicar Lane
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The legendary Indian restaurant group is coming to Leeds, and we’re absolutely buzzing about it. Dishoom is inspired by the Irani cafes of 1960s Bombay, which were meeting places for people from all walks of life.
Famed for their Indian twist on a classic breakfast (seriously, their breakfast naans are out of this world), Dishoom offers an all-day dining approach so you can get your Bombay fix from morning to noon and noon to night.
Planning permission is up for the restaurant to take over the former Flannels site on Vicar Lane, so fingers crossed it won’t be too long until we can all get stuck in.
Just when you thought the wine scene in Headingley couldn’t get any better, Once Upon A Vine is popping the cork on their third site - right in the heart of Headingley.
Expect hundreds of wines, plenty of bottles of fizz, and of course, a carefully curated local beer selection.
Uniqlo
Briggate
Image: Uniqlo
It’s happening…Uniqlo has confirmed it’s opening up right here in Leeds next year and we must say it’s looking very nice indeed. The Leeds store will be 1,100 square metres and will be located on Briggate in the old House of Fraser site. It’s part of a new expansion across the UK alongside new stores in Birmingham and Bristol.
A new Japanese grill and BBQ restaurant is opening up from Fern, the absolute mastermind behind Fern Modern Sushi. Opening up in the heart of the city on Vicar Lane, we can't wait for this one.
Dough Club
Burley Road
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Dough Club, a Manchester-based Detroit-style pizzeria, is planning to open up in Leeds.
Famed for their chewy, thick, cheesy crusts that are loaded with all the toppings imaginable, they’ll be opening up a spot on Burley Road for all your pizza needs.
MADE Matcha
Lower Briggate
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Introducing MADE Matcha, a matcha and açaí bar that has created waves in the foodie scene over in Sheffield since opening back in September last year. And it's pretty clear they're doing very well indeed, to be opening a second site in another city less than six months after launching is no mean feat.
Made Matcha will be opening on Lower Briggate in the Nice Things site and this pastel green paradise specialise in seasonal matchas that (almost) look too pretty to drink.
Lane 7
Albion Street
Image: The Hoot leeds
The independent bowling brand is set to open at Trinity Leeds in late spring, spanning a whopping 23,000 sq ft.
As well as 12 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, Lane7 will be home to other games including darts, pool tables, beer pong, golf simulators, and even an interactive 'Playground'.
Josh Teal -
24th May 2021 
