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.”
The UK Aids Memorial Quilt is set to go on display across Wakefield this summer.
The quilt - consisting of 42 quilts and 23 individual panels, representing over 384 individuals affected by HIV and AIDS - will go on display at WX Wakefield from Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 June 2026.
All 42 quilts will be on display, with WX working in partnership with the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Conservation Partnership.
Across the same weekend, selected individual panels will be displayed at different venues across the city including The Hepworth Wakefield, The Art House Wakefield, Theatre Royal Wakefield, Pontefract Castle and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Part of the world’s largest community art project, this is a huge opportunity for the city of Wakefield. The project started in the USA back in 1985 by activist Cleve Jones, commemorating friends, family and loved ones lost to AIDS.
Individual panels were then stitched together to create larger quilts, which were shown outdoors as a form of protest to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.
Today, the quilt stands as a crucial reminder of those who were lost and of the continuing affect that HIV and AIDS has on the people of today.
At WX Wakefield, viewing the quilt is completely free and on Friday 5 June there will be a special late night opening up until 10:30pm to view the exhibition.
And on Saturday 6 June at 2:30pm, there will be a very special and poignant reading of the names of those commemorated on the quilt.
Featured image - UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, installation view at Tate Modern, June 2025. Photo: AM Hanson
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Leeds’ first frozen yoghurt bar is opening in Headingley this weekend
Clementine Hall
The frozen yoghurt craze is on its way to Leeds as Kefiyo is set to open in Headingley in just a few days.
It's a phenomenon that has caught the attention of the TikTok and Instagram girlies as of late, with frozen yoghurt bars popping up in Manchester and going viral online.
The ice cold sweet treat is supposedly 'healthy' and with a slogan of 'eat Clean. feel Light. live Better.' - this new spot in Leeds seems to be going down that route too.
Kefiyo will be opening in the old Sixes site on Ash Road in Headingley, and they've just announced that they'll be soft launching this Sunday 19 April 2026.
The space is already sporting a super cute pastel green and pink exterior, and it's exactly matching the aesthetic that you'd expect with froyo.
Kefiyo will offer a range of frozen yoghurt flavours with a whole bunch of toppings for you to customise to your tastebuds, as well as fresh acai bowls.
Situated slap bang in the centre of Headingley, we've got a feeling it'll be very busy with students on their way to their morning lecture or at night for those looking for a sweet treat that doesn't feel too naughty.
We'll keep you updated on more Kefiyo updates as and when we find out.
But in the meantime, you can keep an eye on their socials here. We'll see you soon for a scoop Leeds.
Clementine Hall -
17th March 2025 
