A Harry Potter-themed escape room has opened in Leeds and we expect fans of the J K Rowling tale will be very excited at the news.
Located at newly opened Leeds escape room The Escapologist, it can be found at the White Rose Shopping Centre.
Here, you'll find yourself a student at Hogwarts with Professor Lupus desperately in need of your help. He's already protected you from a wild troll attacking the school grounds, now he's injured and unable to move.
The challenge is to find his special medicine to stop him becoming 'extremely ill' before nightfall - which fans will know is code for 'turn into a werewolf' and bite you. No pressure, then.
The game's description continues:
"He also tells you to give the medicine to his owl who will bring the vial to him once you have found it.
"You feel the professor is keeping something hidden from you, but after he persists you decide to do as he has asked.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bay-y-1jD40&t=43s
"You are now in Professor Lupus’ classroom and have an hour until the sun sets. You don’t know where the medicine is, what it is for, or what it looks like, but you must get it to the professor before night falls! Hurry!"
So not only do you have to find his medicine, you also have to find his owl (a nice little touch, which we obviously love as Loiners) - all within the space of an hour. Tick tock.
Ranked at a medium difficulty, the game can be played by between two and six players at a time and is just one of seven experiences available to try at the new gaming location.
On top of this, you'll also find an Alice in Wonderland-themed room, a Sherlock Holmes-inspired room and a Guy Fawkes-inspired game called 'The Gun Powder Plot.'
As well as the seven different themed rooms, The Escapologist also has a fully licensed bar and cafe for refreshments.
To find out more about the different experiences on offer and to book, head over to the escape room's website here.
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 -
22nd September 2021 
