Leeds Kirkgate Market will be home to the great Yorkshire Vegan Festival this summer.
Taking place in June, there'll be over 80 stall owners in attendance on the day - with products spanning skincare, homeware, food, clothing, toiletries and world food.
The likes of VDogs, Greek Vegan Deli, House of Habesha, There’s No Catch (vegan fish and chips) and Those Vegan Pizza Guys are all confirmed to visit with tasty vegan treats.
There'll be a new event taking place this year, too - providing guests with the ultimate vegan food and camping experience. Titled VFest UK, the occasion will feature some huge headline acts, a club night, circus skills workshops, an assault course, and a zip wire experience.
Naturally, there will be a big focus on food - with plenty of food stalls and caterers on hand, plus appearances from TV Chef Matt Pritchard and Guinness World Record Holder Fiona Oakes.
Vegan doughnuts from Doughnotts laden with plant-based toppings / Image: Doughnotts
But there'll also be opportunities to go boating on the lake, take part in group entertainment, watch fun shows and hear international speakers giving talks on their areas of expertise.
The event is working with a number of organisations including Cats Protection, Four Paws UK, Greenpeace, Plantlife, Ramblers, Viva!, We The Free, Woodland Trust and WWF. All money raised on the day will go to support these organisations.
Non-profit UK animal welfare charity Miracle's Mission is also involved and will attend in the capacity of an organisation that works with sick, injured and difficult animals.
More food stalls confirmed to take part in the festival include Bonnie Yau's Food, Dalton Moor Farm, Doughnotts, Ella’s Instant Vegan Yorky Puds and Pancakes, Just Deserts Yarm, KO-CO Brownies, MKS Food, Telltale Tea, The May Bakery, Tyne Chease, and Vegan Sweet Tooth London.
Skincare, make-up, toiletry, candle and crafts stalls will include Devaiya Oils, Earth's Garden, Lavender and Lilac and Tropic Skincare.
Bo's Book, Jewellery Star, Olive and Hope, Vegan recipes and information, Pet Respect and Trad Collective, and Vegum are also down to attend.
Taking place on Sunday, 20 June from 10am to 4pm, 100% of ticket sales go towards helping the event's partner charities.
Get tickets and find out more information on their website.
Feature image - Geograph.
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Inside Sheffield’s new supersize JD Sports Store that has just opened in Meadowhall
Meadowhall has just welcomed a brand-new JD Sports Store - and it is absolutely mega.
Trainer and sportswear lovers, this one's for you as JD Sports has just opened the doors to its newest store.
Located in Meadowhall shopping centre on the Lower Level of the High Street, the new store is almost triple its previous size and spans a whopping 29,225 sq ft.
Shoppers can now browse an ever bigger selection of clothing, footwear and sportswear from big brands like Nike, Montirex, New Balance, Adidas and Berghaus just to name a few.
Image: The Sheff
To make your shopping experience even smoother, the new store features self-service tills so you can be in and out within a flash.
To celebrate the opening, Chunkz and Kenny from popular Youtube collective Beta Squad officially opened the store today and held a meet and greet for fans.
Image: The Sheff
And the celebrations don't stop there, as from Friday 31 July - Sunday 2 August customers can get involved in JD's Spin-to-Win, with the chance to win gift cards, trainers and JD-branded merchandise.
Not only that, but Montirex will be hosting games all-weekend-long.
And if you can't make it that weekend, then do not fear. As on Friday 7 - Sunday 9 August, The Crep Protect truck will be rolling into Meadowhall giving out free goodie bags for customers who sign up to JD Status and follow Crep Protect.
Image: The Sheff
Sneaker Throne will also be offering a shoe-cleaning experience, with demonstrations showing customers how to keep their trainers fresh using products available in-store and goodie bags will be on offer which will also include tokens to play the Cop & Flop game.
So, what are you waiting for? We'll see you there for a fresh new fit.
Shortlist for 2026 Mercury Prize announced with several northern names making the cut
Clementine Hall
The shortlist for the 2026 Mercury Prize has officially landed - and it's another huge year for music from the north.
The prestigious annual award, which celebrates the very best British and Irish albums released over the past 12 months, has unveiled its 12 nominated records ahead of this year's ceremony in Newcastle this October.
Among the biggest talking points is a first-ever Mercury Prize nomination for music legend and northern icon Sir Paul McCartney, whose latest album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane has earned him a place on the shortlist.
Elsewhere representing the north, Newcastle jazz collective Knats have been shortlisted for A Great Day In Newcastle while jungle pioneer Nia Archives, who comes from Bradford, is recognised for her acclaimed album Emotional Junglist.
Image: Audio North
Another artist flying the Newcastle flag is JADE with her debut solo album That's Showbiz Baby!, whilst other notable nominations include Olivia Dean, RAYE and and the charity compilation HELP(2) from War Child Records.
The full 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist is:
Paul McCartney – The Boys Of Dungeon Lane
Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
RAYE – This Music May Contain Hope
Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
Florence + The Machine – Everybody Scream
Dove Ellis – Blizzard
Knats – A Great Day In Newcastle
Kojey Radical – Don't Look Down
JADE – That's Showbiz Baby!
Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist
Suede – Antidepressants
War Child Records – HELP(2)
This year's Mercury Prize ceremony will return to Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Thursday 22 October after the city successfully hosted the awards for the first time last year.
The 2025 event saw hometown hero Sam Fender take home the coveted prize for People Watching, and who knows - maybe The Toon will bag another prize for a hometown hero.
Georgina Pellant -
7th June 2021 
