Dedicated to Team GB, the new mural has appeared in Leeds ahead of the start of the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Created by local artist Nicolas Dixon, who is also known for painting Leeds' iconic Bielsa The Redeemer painting in Wortley, it features fifteen different sports - all of which will be played at this year's Olympic Games.
The new mural was unveiled by Leeds' triple gold medal rower Andrew Triggs Hodge and double Olympic triathlon gold medalist Alistair Brownlee.
Leeds artist Nicholas Dixon (centre) is joined by Olympic rower Andrew Triggs Hodge (left) and double Olympic gold medallist Alistair Brownlee as the new GB Olympics mural was unveiled / Image:Nicolas Dixon
Dixon met with local children from Holy Family Primary School in Armley before starting the painting and drew inspiration from their suggestions.
The mural is one of ten set to appear across the country, with artists selected by Global Street Art who is running the project.
Some of the children from Holy Family Primary School in Armley attended the unveiling / Image: Nicolas Dixon
Working in association with property company Purple Bricks, who are an official sponsor of Team GB, Global Street Art facilitates large-scale street art projects around the world.
"We did some workshops with the kids at Holy Family to find out what really inspired them about the Olympics and how that could be represented through art," said Dixon.
"It was a great way of getting them involved and they seemed to really enjoy the final piece.
"It was a bit of a race against time to get it finished in the end as I was trying not to miss England playing in the Euros and we had a lot of rain in the last couple of days before it was due to be finished.
The Bielsa The Redeemer painting by Nicolas Dixon in Wortley is another popular mural by the artist / Image: Nicolas Dixon
"I managed to get it done with just an hour to spare but am really pleased with it.
"It's something to give our athletes a bit of a cheer from home as they won't have many supporters out there to support them because of the Covid restrictions."
You can find the new mural by Dixon on the side of The Edge sports complex at Leeds University.
One of Leeds' longest-running pub will be closing.
The Cross Keys in Holbeck is a lovely little boozer.
And it's got a fair bit of history too. Dating back to the early 1800s, the pub has stood on Water Lane for more than two centuries, with its story closely tied to Holbeck's industrial past.
Back when the area was one of Leeds' major manufacturing hubs, the Cross Keys was a local drinking spot for workers from the surrounding foundries and engineering works.
The pub itself fell into disrepair and was abandoned in 1980s, before being brought back to life during a major restoration in the 2000s.
But now, The Cross Keys is closing once again.
Images: The Cross Keys
Announcing the sad news to Instagram, the pub said: "It's with a heavy heart that we share the Cross Key's will be closing its doors on the 3rd of October.
"The whole team thank you for your support during our time in business."
In classic Leeds fashion, the comments were flooded with support from fans of the pub alongside fellow local businesses.
One comment reads: "Absolutely gutted about this. I held my fiance (now husband’s) 30th at The Cross Keys and it was excellent and the team were so helpful and hospitable. So sad to hear this."
Whilst another said: "Gutted, the home of some great memories and significant pints in my life."
So, if you've had a significant pint in The Cross Keys and wish to bid it a proper farewell, you've got until Saturday 3 October to do so.
Brand-new ‘party pub’ to take over the old Revolution site on Call Lane after £600,000 investment
Clementine Hall
We hope you're ready to party Leeds, because a 'party pub' experience is coming to Call Lane.
Following a whopping £600,000 investment, Bonnie Rogues is preparing to open in the former Revolution site in Leeds city centre that will close this month.
After a major refurbishment, Leeds’ first Bonnie Rogues venue and the sixth site for the fast- growing UK brand will open in November 2026.
Designed as an all-day-to-night social destination, Bonnie Rogues combines live music, live sport, and late-night celebrations in one immersive venue.
From big nights out to spontaneous after-work drinks and even Sunday Roasts, Bonnie Rogues aims to offer something completely different from the traditional pub experience.
Expect live performances, crowd-involved entertainment and interactive moments in an atmosphere that flows seamlessly from day to night.
Russell Quelch, CEO of NEOS Hospitality, said, “Leeds has such a strong social scene and a real appetite for experience-led venues, so we think Bonnie Rogues will fit perfectly into the city.
"It’s a concept that brings together everything people love about going out - live music, sport, food, entertainment and great atmosphere, all in one place. We’re excited to bring something new to Leeds and can’t wait to welcome guests later this year.”
The Leeds opening forms part of a wider rollout of Bonnie Rogues venues across the UK, as NEOS Hospitality continues to expand its portfolio following its acquisition of multiple Revolution and Revolución de Cuba sites earlier this year.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more.
Georgina Pellant -
20th July 2021 
