It's official, Chow Down is here to stay - and it's coming back bigger and better than ever.
As the popular street food festival pop-up nears its first birthday, organisers have revealed it will be moving into Temple Arches on a permanent basis. And as part of the new plans, it'll also be launching its own cocktail bar, Tipples.
New Head of Drinks Jake Speakman has put together an eclectic drinks list, featuring the likes of guava and kiwi punch, the Chow Down 'heavy sipper', Ribena margaritas, and white chocolate espresso martinis - all of which sound absolutely incredible to us.
Chow Down has confirmed it will be staying at Temple Arches permanently / Image: Chow Down
The food festival first launched in Leeds last summer, hosting ten successful pop-up weekends that saw a whole host of independent traders bring their tasty street food dishes to Temple Arches.
Returning again in April, it's now set to stay - and is gearing up for a huge birthday celebration starting from July 22 and running through to July 25.
The street food festival now has a permanent home at Temple Arches / image: Chow Down
The four-day birthday celebrations will see the festival bring the likes of the New York Brass Band and The Pigeon Detectives down to Temple Arches, alongside a whole host of other musicians.
Things will kick off with a Futuresound takeover on Thursday night, featuring DJ sets from Low Hummer, Far Caspian and The Pigeon Detectives.
Chown Down is preparing for its first birthday celebrations / Image: Chow Down
The music will continue with the intergalactic house sounds of Man Power on Friday, followed by an appearance from Manchester DJ legend Luke Unabomber. on Saturday night.
Finally, the New York Brass Band will make their triumphant return to Temple Arches on the Sunday afternoon with a live set that is expected to include a brassy rendition of Happy Birthday.
On the food front, there'll be appearance from traders like Torito Taco, MorMor, Wallace and Sons and Little Red Food Cluck. Project D will also join for a special pop-up, bringing along some special Chow Down Birthday donuts for the occasion.
Resident ice cream truck Scoop is always on hand to serve up a tasty dessert / Image: Chow Down
The resident Scoop truck will also be in situ, serving up its indulgent ice-cream treats and brownies.
There will also be live art across the weekend from abstract designer and marker Emma Hardaker, whose bright graphics can be seen in murals and installation pieces across the North.
“This area of Leeds has some amazing plans for the future and we can’t wait to be a part of that," said Chow Down co-founder Matt Long.
Chow Down supports a whole host of independent street food traders with its events / Image: Chow Down
"It's been incredible to see Chow Down grow over the last year, and cement itself as a permanent venue at Temple Arches. Alongside Chow Down, we (New Citizens) have great projects in the Temple area, with Oktoberfest and The Garden Party, so we feel very much a part of this exciting transformation.
"At Chow Down we have looked to support as many independent food traders as possible, and this year to date we have had over 50 vendors trade with us, helping out and actually kickstarting many of the hospitality scenes as we rotate the food as much as possible.
"Our drink supply is very much as local as possible, and is ever-rotating. We are planning some more collaboration brews on the menu for later in the year, after the huge success of our North Brew Co beer this summer.”
Bookings are now open for Chow Down's big birthday bash, to reserve your table click here.
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Netflix to release new Lucy Letby documentary with ‘unprecedented access’ next month
Netflix is set to air a new documentary about the investigation of Lucy Letby, and the trailer has now been released.
The feature-length film about Lucy Letby - the infamous neonatal nurse who was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others under her care at the Countess of Chester Hospital - hears for the first time from the police officers who investigated the case that shook the nation.
It features never-before-seen footage of Letby during her arrests and police questioning, and even includes interviews with experts and lawyers on both sides, as well as with the hospital consultants who initially raised the alarm.
Tragically, it also includes an anonymised interview with a mother of one of the victims, who also speaks for the first time about her experience and involvement in Letby’s trial.
Produced as a result of years of research and relationship-building, the film - simply titled The Investigation of Lucy Letby - is described as being the most 'comprehensive' look at one of Britain's most notorious crimes, and traces developments from her arrest to trial in chronological order.
Viewers will be given 'unparalleled and exclusive access' to those central to the story.
"This was an exceptional and demanding project, marked by significant creative and ethical responsibility," commented director, Dominic Sivyer. "Our aim was to craft a powerful, emotionally resonant depiction of the events surrounding the case."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x93eZD1F4vs
Caroline Short, Head of Global TV at ITN Productions - who produced the documentary - added: "The access to all our contributors came with a huge responsibility to present everyone's perspectives with care and understanding.
"We are grateful to all those people who trusted us to tell their story."
The Investigation of Lucy Letby will be released and available to stream on Netflix in the UK and Ireland on 4 February 2026.
Featured Image - Cheshire Police
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Arctic Monkeys release first song in four years as part of upcoming all-star War Child album
Clementine Hall
The full track list for the charity album has been released, featuring Fontaines D.C., Pulp, Olivia Rodrigo and loads more.
The legendary Sheffield indie group have been largely silent (as usual) since the release of their last album, The Car, back in 2022.
But today, the monkeys are back with a brand new song titled 'Opening Night' , in support of War Child's upcoming project to provide aid for children living through war.
That project being 'HELP(2)' - a brand new collaborative album inspired by the landmark 1995 release 'HELP' to engage music lovers globally in support of the charity's vital work.
The new album will be released on Friday 6 March and was brought to life through close collaboration with Abbey Road Studios, recorded predominantly across one extraordinary week in November 2025 under the stewardship of acclaimed producer James Ford.
There's so me pretty huge names on the album who have contributed, including Fontaines D.C, Pulp, Damon Albarn, Wet Leg, Young Fathers and so many more.
Recorded in a single day in 1995, the original ‘HELP’ album raised over £1.2 million, enabling War Child to provide vital support to thousands of children caught in the Bosnian conflict.
The full track list to the album is: ‘HELP(2)’ Tracklist:
Arctic Monkeys - Opening Night
Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten & Kae Tempest - Flags
Black Country, New Road - Strangers
The Last Dinner Party - Let’s do it again!
Beth Gibbons - Sunday Morning
Arooj Aftab & Beck - Lilac Wine
King Krule - The 343 Loop
Depeche Mode - Universal Soldier
Ezra Collective & Greentea Peng - Helicopters
Arlo Parks - Nothing I Could Hide
English Teacher & Graham Coxon - Parasite
Beabadoobee - Say Yes
Big Thief - Relive, Redie
Fontaines D.C. - Black Boys on Mopeds
Cameron Winter - Warning
Young Fathers - Don’t Fight the Young
Pulp - Begging for Change
Sampha - Naboo
Wet Leg - Obvious
Foals - When the War is Finally Done
Bat For Lashes - Carried my girl
Anna Calvi, Ellie Rowsell, Nilüfer Yanya & Dove Ellis - Sunday Light
Olivia Rodrigo - The Book of Love
You can pre-order the album here and listen to the new song by the Arctic Monkeys here.
Georgina Pellant -
16th July 2021 
