A Yorkshire workspace company has bought Aire Street Workshops from Leeds City Council for an undisclosed sum.
You may remember around this time last year Aire Street Workshops was under threat from Leeds City Council, as a whole host of creative independents were about to be pushed out of their space.
Almost a year later the 23,000 sq ft building has been purchased by WorkWell, a Yorkshire-based office operator that is known for designing technology-led workspaces that promote hybrid working and productivity.
They have vowed to improve the interior of the building whilst offering the current occupiers workspaces after taking over the building.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
WorkWell plans to retain Aire Street Workshops commercial use.
Oliver Corrigan, managing director of WorkWell, said: “We are pleased to allay any fears the current occupiers had about the building being sold and converted into flats. As a leading provider of serviced office space, we plan to improve the working environment of the building over the coming months.
“All the current occupiers will be offered space in the much-improved workspace.”
The history of Aire Street Workshops
The building started life as Poole’s, a surgical boot manufacturing company before being left derelict in the 70s, prior to the takeover from Leeds City Council in 1980.
Coverting into a multi-purpose space was funded by Department for the Environment Urban Development Programme and Leeds City Council and eventually opened in 1981 by the Lord Mayor of Leeds as a space for small and medium businesses to thrive, and this has had a particular focus on nurturing younger business owners over the years.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
30-34 Aire Street is now home to 26 units, housing 37 small businesses across four floors. Each unit is around 400-500 sq ft, and house unique start up businesses.
The venture itself was the very first scheme if its kind in Leeds and owners LCVS, an independent, not-for-profit company, report that ” It has been a phenomenal success story that serves to offer opportunities to a diverse array of companies. A melting pot where people work together to generate growth in an ambitious city.”
M&S has launched a massive recruitment drive across Yorkshire.
With the festive season fast approaching, and most British stores having already unveiled their Christmas ranges for 2026, one of the country’s largest brands has launched a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drives to gear up for what is always one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry.
M&S has announced it will recruit for plenty of new colleagues across the UK.
As mentioned Christmas is one of the busiest moments of the year for M&S, and seasonal colleagues play a ‘vital’ part in delivering that.
Image: Supplied
New recruits will be tasked with helping M&S deliver a ‘brilliant’ service for customers.
Stores with vacancies span the whole of Leeds - including city centre, Moortown, Crown Point, White Rose Shopping Centre and Pudsey.
M&S says the roles are ‘fast-moving and hands-on’, with colleagues required to work together to make sure customers still get the very best of M&S, even at its busiest.
The roles will pay £13.41 per hour, with successful applicants receiving the training, tools and support needed to get up to speed quickly.
“We can’t wait to welcome over 300 new colleagues to our store teams here in Greater Manchester,” commented Zeba Khan, who is the Regional Manager at M&S.
“As we get ready for our busiest time of year, it’s a great opportunity to join us and help bring a magical M&S Christmas to our customers.
“We have a range of opportunities available, whether joining our city centre flagship or our fresh market-style foodhalls. We’re looking for colleagues who are passionate about delivering great customer service and being part of a team.”
Fancy it then? Applications are now open, and you can find out more and apply on the M&S Christmas careers page here.
Inside the historic Leeds mill transformed into a thriving hub for creatives
Clementine Hall
Nestled in Armley, Assembly House is an independent creative hub bringing artists together.
Assembly House, based on Canal Road in Armley inside a historic Victorian mill, has become a home for creatives across Leeds since launching in 2013.
The artist-led organisation combines working studios with an independent gallery and project space, hosting everything from exhibitions and workshops to community events and live music.
The space is currently home to 80 creatives who make up their community, comprising of professional practitioners including educators, performers, painters, sculptors, illustrators, video artists and designers.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their aim is simple - to offer affordable studios to emerging artists alongside technical support, producing support along with access to workshops, internal film screenings and events.
Assembly House offer a yearly program of exhibitions designed to showcase the studio holders and get their work out there. It's all aimed at helping the artists, whether it's their first show or tenth.
It has also helped bring art into the wider neighbourhood through community murals, public sculptures and activities for local people.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They believe art has the power to bring people together and to evoke emotion and thought, and we've got to say that we absolutely agree.
The space can also be hired by students and independent creatives looking to put on their own exhibitions or bring a project to life.
The fabulous venue is generally open to visitors during exhibitions, workshops and events, with visits by appointment at other times, so it's worth checking its website before heading over.
To have a look at their current programme and to find out more about what Assembly House are doing for Leeds and the community, you can take a look at their website here.
Clementine Hall -
17th March 2025 
