Iconic Leeds bar and venue Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen has announced plans to mark its 10th birthday with a full year-long celebration of events, including an intimate residency from critically acclaimed British MC Loyle Carner.
Alongside a host of one-off gigs, massive giveaways, food, collaborations with venue friends & partners and the return of some old favourites, Belgrave has revealed that Carner will be taking up residency in the Music Hall for two nights of live music over the 25 and 26 of March.
Collaborators for a number of years, the venue and their promoters have worked with Carner in Leeds from early shows in their 150-capacity Headrow House venue in 2015, right up to a sold-out 02 Academy Show.
Now, they've announced they'll be bringing him back to Belgrave for two special underplay shows with tickets set to go on sale via ballot to manage demand.
Founded in 2013 by Leeds live music veterans Si Stevens (The Cockpit, Constellations), Ash Kollakowski (The Faversham, Nation of Shopkeepers) and their Beacons Festival partner Dan Crouch, Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen now finds itself at the heart of the city’s creative community and a blueprint for what a modern venue should be.
With a drive to bring under-represented arts and culture to the city centre, the team leapt at the chance to breathe life back into a sprawling, disused snooker hall and, by pooling their collective creative expertise, transformed it into a permanent showcase for the very best in music, cinema, art and food.
Image: Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen
Almost a decade later, this vision still resounds; the venue’s exciting roster of resident DJs play in the Canteen seven days a week whilst the ornate, three hundred capacity Music Hall has hosted an incredible array of artists from Royal Blood and Jorja Smith to Stormzy and The Fall.
The tenth birthday celebrations will kick off with a massive free New Years' Eve bash with DJ’s playing hits from the last decade, throughout the rest of the year Belgrave will be hosting an exciting series of events and collaborations to kick off their 10th anniversary celebrations.
The Belgrave has also announced that like-minded Leeds institutions Jumbo Records, Crash Records, Leeds International Festival of Ideas, Thought Bubble Festival, Leeds International Film Festival and Welcome Skate Store will all be taking over the venue and collaborating on events among many others.
Image: Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen
Elsewhere, events from DIY synth festival Modular Meets and Leeds 2023 will provide a platform for new sounds and ideas and an exciting series of food collaborations will keep everyone very well-fed.
After all, alongside this rich musical history, the Belgrave is just as renowned for its culinary offerings as its audio.
The monthly Belgrave Feast is the longest-running street food festival in the UK and the resident kitchens, once home to Leeds legends Layne’s Espresso, Bundobust, Fish & and Manjit’s Kitchen, now house Dough Boys, a Yorkshire take on the New York style slice bar that has been featured in The Telegraph, The Guardian and on Buzzfeed; as well as Patty’s, the beloved burger bar serving up fresh, homemade patties alongside their famous session fries.
Deeply embedded in the cultural offerings of the city, Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen regularly takes part in key cultural events such as Leeds International Film Festival, Yorkshire-wide comic art extravaganza Thought Bubble Festival, Live At Leeds and Leeds Indie Food.
The venue has also offered space and support for thousands of events since opening its doors, partnering with the likes ofBBC6 Music, Channel 4, MTV, Vice, Festival Republic, Leeds City Council and Greenpeace, to name just a few.
Image: Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen
With plenty more party pieces to come, including the illuminating ‘Stories of Belgrave’ project and giving customers a chance to win a holiday as part of a number of huge giveaways throughout the year, The Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen is celebrating ten years as a beacon of creativity, culture and community in the best way possible, by kicking off the next decade in a similar style.
Belgrave Music Hall Co-founder Simon Stevens said: “I’m really not sure what we expected when we first opened in 2013 but it’s amazing to be making plans for our 10th anniversary year.
"I think it was more good luck than good judgement but the city definitely felt ready for change in 2013 and we’re incredibly appreciative to all the people that helped make it possible.”
Feature image - Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen
News
Successful Sheffield charity walk returns to Meadowhall to support people living with dementia
Sheffield Hospitals Charity and Meadowhall have announced the return of the Red Shoe Walk for 2026.
After a hugely successful debut event last year that brought hundreds of people together and raised over £12,000 - The Red Shoe Walk is back.
The community event returns on Sunday 2nd August and will once again see families and friends walk the accessible route around Meadowhall to raise vital funds for people living with dementia across Sheffield.
The Red Shoe Walk was inspired by one woman's lifelong love of red shoes - a simple memory trigger that helps her connect with her past.
As you lace up, you're invited to take a moment to reflect on your own memories. Photos, music, familiar objects and special places can help bring back older memories and create a sense of connection.
Image: Supplied
Everyone taking part will walk a 2km route round Meadowhall. The walk starts at 10am with registrations open from 9am at the Summer Beach Club. The route is flat, accessible and suitable for all ages - so nobody has to miss out.
After the walk has finished you will get free access and unlimited rides until midday at Meadowhall's Summer Beach Club.
.Not only that, but singer songwriter Joe Carnall Jnr will perform live at the start of this year’s Red Shoe Walk.
Best known as a member of Sheffield-band Milburn and previously Reverend & The Makers, Joe will be joined by cast members from his brand-new musical ‘How Could I Forget?’ as part of the warm-up for the walk.
Image: Supplied
The musical is a heartfelt love letter to grandparents, inspired by Joe’s own family experience with dementia and loss. The show has sold out an impressive three nights at Sheffield Theatres and tickets have recently been released for the Carriageworks in Leeds.
Joe said: “My grandad passed away with dementia over 10 years ago and I got the inspiration for the musical from him. I want to do the walk with my three young children, reminisce and tell stories about him and connect with other people who have their own experiences of dementia.”
Beth Crackles, CEO of Sheffield Hospitals Charity said: “We’re thrilled with how the first ever Red Shoe Walk brought our community together in solidarity and are beyond excited to bring it back for 2026. It will be such a poignant moment to have Joe and the cast from ‘How Could I Forget’ perform live ahead of the walk, and we’re so grateful for their support.
"We hope to see lots of people there, walking together as a community to make a real difference for people living with dementia and their loved ones.”
Image: Supplied
Darren Pearce, Centre Director at Meadowhall said: “Dementia touches the lives of so many families across our local community, and we’re incredibly proud to be working with Sheffield Hospitals Charity to host the Red Shoe Walk for a second time.
“Building on the success of last year’s event – which raised over £10,000 for the charity – it’s brilliant to be welcoming Joe Carnall Jnr to perform this year. The performance will start the event perfectly, as people once again come together to raise vital funds for those affected by dementia throughout the city.”
Not only that, but football legends Tony Currie, John Pearson and John Breckin from Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United have also joined forces to back the walk, raising awareness and funds for dementia care across Sheffield.
Prices are £7 per adult, £4 per child, £18 for a family of four and under 3’s go free. Each ticket includes an exclusive Red Shoe Walk t-shirt to wear on the day, access to a range of exclusive discounts at participating Meadowhall retailers plus free entry and free rides at the Summer Beach Club until midday.
Sign up by midnight on Thursday 30 July.
Featured image - Supplied
News
Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years
Clementine Hall
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Georgina Pellant -
6th December 2022 
