Hosted by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, the city will come together to celebrate our incredible service men and women this weekend.
This Sunday 25 June 2023 marks Leeds Armed Forces day and anyone is welcome to join the celebration and show their thanks.
Hosted by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Al Garthwaite, the triumphant event will take place on Briggate between 11am-4pm and will feature a range of family-friendly activities for everyone to get involved in.
Visitors can expect lots of traditional pageantry including the West Yorkshire Police Band leading a parade from Albion Street to Briggate of armed forces personnel, veterans and cadets.
Image: Leeds Armed Forces Day
There will also be a whole host of musical events, including live performances from the City of Leeds Pipe Band, the Dishforth Military Wives Choir, the 1940s-themed Daisy Belles and the rock covers band, Rocky Road.
Spanning the length of Briggate there will be stalls and marquees with activities, displays and workshops.
There will also be street performers, military vehicles, face painters and balloon modellers to commemorate the special day.
Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Al Garthwaite, said: “Armed Forces Day is an excellent opportunity for the whole family to have fun while also recognising and saying thank you to service personnel and their families, both past and present.
Image: Leeds Armed Forces Day
“We are extremely proud of our long and distinguished military history as a city. Therefore, I’m humbled to host a celebration honouring our armed forces' dedication, professionalism, and incredible work, and to take the salute with His Majesty’s representative, the Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Mr Ed Anderson.
“I would also like to offer a big thank you to everyone taking part and who has contributed to the organisation of what has rightly become one of our city’s most popular events in the civic calendar.”
One of Leeds' longest-running pub will be closing.
The Cross Keys in Holbeck is a lovely little boozer.
And it's got a fair bit of history too. Dating back to the early 1800s, the pub has stood on Water Lane for more than two centuries, with its story closely tied to Holbeck's industrial past.
Back when the area was one of Leeds' major manufacturing hubs, the Cross Keys was a local drinking spot for workers from the surrounding foundries and engineering works.
The pub itself fell into disrepair and was abandoned in 1980s, before being brought back to life during a major restoration in the 2000s.
But now, The Cross Keys is closing once again.
Images: The Cross Keys
Announcing the sad news to Instagram, the pub said: "It's with a heavy heart that we share the Cross Key's will be closing its doors on the 3rd of October.
"The whole team thank you for your support during our time in business."
In classic Leeds fashion, the comments were flooded with support from fans of the pub alongside fellow local businesses.
One comment reads: "Absolutely gutted about this. I held my fiance (now husband’s) 30th at The Cross Keys and it was excellent and the team were so helpful and hospitable. So sad to hear this."
Whilst another said: "Gutted, the home of some great memories and significant pints in my life."
So, if you've had a significant pint in The Cross Keys and wish to bid it a proper farewell, you've got until Saturday 3 October to do so.
Brand-new ‘party pub’ to take over the old Revolution site on Call Lane after £600,000 investment
Clementine Hall
We hope you're ready to party Leeds, because a 'party pub' experience is coming to Call Lane.
Following a whopping £600,000 investment, Bonnie Rogues is preparing to open in the former Revolution site in Leeds city centre that will close this month.
After a major refurbishment, Leeds’ first Bonnie Rogues venue and the sixth site for the fast- growing UK brand will open in November 2026.
Designed as an all-day-to-night social destination, Bonnie Rogues combines live music, live sport, and late-night celebrations in one immersive venue.
From big nights out to spontaneous after-work drinks and even Sunday Roasts, Bonnie Rogues aims to offer something completely different from the traditional pub experience.
Expect live performances, crowd-involved entertainment and interactive moments in an atmosphere that flows seamlessly from day to night.
Russell Quelch, CEO of NEOS Hospitality, said, “Leeds has such a strong social scene and a real appetite for experience-led venues, so we think Bonnie Rogues will fit perfectly into the city.
"It’s a concept that brings together everything people love about going out - live music, sport, food, entertainment and great atmosphere, all in one place. We’re excited to bring something new to Leeds and can’t wait to welcome guests later this year.”
The Leeds opening forms part of a wider rollout of Bonnie Rogues venues across the UK, as NEOS Hospitality continues to expand its portfolio following its acquisition of multiple Revolution and Revolución de Cuba sites earlier this year.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more.
Clementine Hall -
20th June 2023 
