Leeds Showcase cinema is hosting an all-day Christmas film event this October and will be showing some of our absolute favourites - and tickets for all films are just £5 each.
Programming for the all-day festive film event features some absolute classics, including cult favourites Elf and Home and Alone.
Taking place two months before Christmas on Sunday 23 October, organisers at Leeds Showcase are hoping to encourage people to get into the festive spirit early year this year.
Guests at the Showcase Cinema de Lux Leeds in Gelderd Road, Batley, will be treated to a day full of back to back festive screenings - kicking things off with the animated movie Polar Express at 11 am.
Image: Warner Bros
Telling the tale of a young boy who boards a magical train to the North Pole to meet Father Christmas, it's a great one for the whole family to enjoy together.
In the afternoon, McCauley Culkin will take to the screen in his most famous 90s role as Kevin when Christmas classic Home Alone screens at 1.40 pm.
In the movie, he is left behind by his family as they take a Christmas vacation to Paris - and must fend for himself against burglars Harry and Marv, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, with some hilarious consequences.
Then at 4.20 pm, the cinema will show the 1946 classic It's a Wonderful Life for a matinee screening starring the legendary James Stewart.
Image: 20th Century Fox
The day will then round off with a screening of all-around festive favourite Elf starring the one and only Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human elf who's lived much of his life at the North Pole.
After escaping his orphanage via Santa's present bag as a baby one Christmas, he ends up being kept by Santa and the elves - until, that is, he realises his human origins and sets off to New York in search of his real father.
UK General Manager for Showcase Cinemas, Mark Barlow, said: “It’s been a tough time for everyone these past 18 months, so Showcase Cinemas wants to bring some early festive fun as we start the countdown to the most wonderful time of the year.
Suffice to say, it's going to be quite a jam-packed day at Showcase with plenty to get you into the festive spirit - which is exactly what the team intends.
UK General Manager for Showcase Cinemas, Mark Barlow, said: “It’s been a tough time for everyone these past 18 months, so Showcase Cinemas wants to bring some early festive fun as we start the countdown to the most wonderful time of the year.
“We’ve brought Christmas forward a couple of months so everyone can start to get into the Christmas spirit.
"We have picked four festive favourites and we’re looking forward to a busy day of Christmas fun in the middle of October.”
Feature image - Warner Bros
News
A new bar dedicated to Guinness and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!
Leeds City Council granted £1.6m to tackle rough sleeping by Christmas
Clementine Hall
A £1.6m grant has been given by the government to Leeds City Council to help tackle rough sleeping.
The funding has been allocated to Leeds City Council as part of the Government’s national Rough Sleeping Programme.
The overall target is to help rough sleepovers off the streets by Christmas through providing safe accommodation.
The council have said that voluntary organisations and charities will be able to help them reach this target.
The council report said: "This funding will be used for immediate interventions to ensure all those rough sleeping have an offer of accommodation by Christmas and support longer term sustainment of accommodation.
“The initial target is to provide a suitable offer of accommodation for everyone who is rough sleeping by Christmas 2026.
“Providing a path into supported accommodation and independent living is the key objective and sustaining this independent living with, where necessary, ongoing support to prevent any return to rough sleeping and homelessness.”
The government announcement spoke of the scheme: "The programme is intended to support people experiencing rough sleeping.
"People experiencing rough sleeping may have differing entitlements to housing and support depending on their individual circumstances, including their immigration status and eligibility for public funds."
The funding is intended to help provide immediate support for people currently sleeping on the streets, while also helping them access longer-term accommodation and the support needed to maintain independent living.
By working with local charities and voluntary organisations, the council hopes to ensure people are not only offered a place to stay but are also given the help they need to avoid returning to the streets.
Georgina Pellant -
28th September 2021 
