A community group has been set up to help secure the future of the Ilkley Pool and Lido.
The Ilkley Pool and Lido is an iconic part of Ilkley's history, having welcomed visitors for a whopping 89 years.
And now as the local council threatens to close the lido permanently, the community have come together in an effort to save the Lido.
They'll be hosting numerous events to help breathe new life into the Ilkley Lido, the first being a special Full Moon Swim event.
Taking place on Monday 19 August, the event has already proven a huge hit and has sold out.
Supporters are hoping it will convince the council that the Lido can host a variety of income-generating events and can be a useful tool for the community.
Image: Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group
Members of the Ilkley Pool and Lido Community have expressed the possibility of taking ownership of the pool, leasing it from the council, or working in partnership with them.
Committee member Davy Simpson said: "We know councils are underfunded but we see this as a key service - for all the health and mental health benefits that come with it.
"We are trying to show how it can be used in different ways, such as for health and to entertain the kids in the summer holidays - it should be nice and atmospheric for visitors can come and see it in moonlight."
Mr Simpson said it would be great for local people to come forward with ideas on how they would like to use the pool in future.
"The staff at the pool are coming up with different ideas on how to use it, they're being great," he said.
"We've had paddleboarding, scuba diving and yoga, and they have also created an online booking system, to help people coming from further afield ensure that they know they can get in before they visit."
The Reliance, a much missed North Street site, is being brought back to life as The Smithfield.
The Smithfield is set to be a new social eatery and pub focused on seasonal, produce-led dining.
Set to open its doors to the people of Leeds in early April, The Smithfield will pay homage to the local area through both its produce and people.
The venue will focus on proper plates of seasonal ingredients, pairing a relaxed dining style with a strong sense of community. Sounds pretty brilliant if you ask us.
Building on the legacy of North Street, The Smithfield is a collaborative project between Yorkshire brewery Crooked Brewing and chef James Donovan.
Images: Supplied
Steve Dawson, co-founder of Crooked Brewing, has long admired The Reliance and want to build on its established legacy.
“What The Reliance was doing was cutting edge for its time,” says Donovan. “We want to bring that same vision and energy into Leeds in 2026. Our aim is to pick up the culinary torch that The Reliance left behind and continue its legacy of great food in Leeds,” adds Dawson.
The Smithfield takes its name from Church Street’s historic connection to the Smithfield cattle market of the early 1800s, once located on what is now Lovell Park.
“We really want the people around us to feel that The Smithfield is their space,” says Dawson. “We want to give them a place at our table.”
We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we know, but we're very excited indeed.
Jungle are back and have announced a huge Leeds gig for later this year
Daisy Jackson
Modern funk and soul band Jungle are officially heading back to Leeds.
The Mercury Prize-nominated group will be performing at the First Direct Bank Arena this November, following their blistering summer on the festival circuit last year.
They'll be heading to Leeds on Saturday 21 November 2026.
Jungle was formed back in 2013 by producers and friends Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland.
While they technically worked as a duo for years (until 2023, when touring member Lydia Kitto became an official member of the band), Jungle are known for their huge live performances.
They always fill stages with musicians and vocalists, for incredible funk n soul live shows.
The bands huge hits include Back on 74, Casio, and Busy Earnin’, from four top-10 albums including 2023’s groundbreaking Volcano.
The upcoming Leeds date forms part of the band’s upcoming world tour, which arrives in the UK in November 2026 following a string of international performances across Europe, North America, and beyond.
Fans can expect a setlist jam packed with standout tracks, including fan favourites such as ‘Volcano’ and ‘Back On 74’ and newer material from their upcoming album ‘Sunshine’, released on 14 August that continues to push the band’s signature sound forward.
With over 3.4 billion streams to their name, Jungle’s Leeds show is set to be one of the hottest tickets of 2026 so we wouldn't mess about if we were you.
Tickets for Jungle in Manchester will go on general sale from 10am on Friday 27 March, with pre-sale from 10am on Thursday 26 March.
Clementine Hall -
7th August 2024 
