Following its grand re-opening back in June, the iconic cinema have revealed a newly refurbished second screen.
The Hyde Park Picture House is a proper Leeds landmark and is one of the UK’s oldest and most treasured cinemas.
The iconic picture house reopened its doors on Friday 30 June 2023, following completion of transformational redevelopment project.
Refurbishments included repairs to it’s façade and external lamppost, the restoration of it’s beautiful original terrazzo flooring and the refurbishment of it’s iconic nine gas lights which will be lit during every screening.
Image: Ollie Jenkins
The opening was a triumphant success, with Leeds locals flocking to Hyde Park to watch a flick in their beloved cinema.
And now, they have opened a new screen in the basement allowing the Picture House to bring to Leeds even more award-winning films from around the world.
The new screen hosts 51 seats and is fully accessible via a platform lift, the screen is also complete with two spaces for wheelchair users.
It also boasts a cosy new lobby area that audiences are welcome to use at any point.
Image: Hyde Park Picture House
Announcing the news to social media, Hyde Park Picture House wrote: "It’s finally here! Say hello to Screen Two. Following our reopening last month, the final part of our redevelopment project is now complete.
"Made possible thanks to support from Heritage Fund UK and Leeds Council, our brand new 51 seat second screen, located in a new lower level, will be transformative for HPPH, allowing us show even more amazing films, sooner than we could before and for longer.
"We’re super thrilled with how it’s turned out - huge thanks to @pageparkarchitects, @buro_happold, @gt_llp, @avison_young_uk & Triton Construction for transforming what was once a small, bare, underused basement into an amazing new screening space for everyone in Leeds to enjoy!"
We can't wait to take a seat in front of this plush new screen and enjoy a blockbuster or two.
Because one Fern Modern Sushi wasn't enough, we've now got two.
And guess what? It's even better than the first.
Fern Modern Sushi located in the unassuming Central Arcade has become a firm foodie favourite after opening just a couple years ago.
Run by the wonderful Chef Fern, who you could say is somewhat of a local celebrity at this point, the restaurant is known for serving delicious sushi with the freshest fish possible and traditional Japanese dishes with modern flair.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Full with hungry punters no matter the time of day, it's no surprise that Chef Fern has just opened Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 on Park Row.
This beautiful new space is serving up all the classic Fern dishes, from stacked donburi bowls and perfectly rolled sushi to miso glazed cod and hearty bowls of ramen.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Different for this location, though, is their exclusive cocktail menu - so you can wine and dine to your heart's content.
The interior has also levelled up, complete with a huge open kitchen so you can pull up a chair and eat whilst watching the magic happen.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And this isn't all that Chef Fern is up to, after opening Tori Nori on Vicar Lane a few months ago this will be her third restaurant in the city centre, and that is no easy feat.
She's even got another restaurant imminently opening in the Central Arcade which will be focused on traditional katsu dishes, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if she had something else lined up in the pipeline.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 officially opens on 19 November, but is open now for soft launch with limited bookings.
Independent Leeds matcha stand forced to close by council despite 3,000 people signing petition
Clementine Hall
An independent matcha stand in Leeds has been forced to closed due to council concerns.
You may remember back in August when the whole of Leeds rallied to save Sips Matcha over in Headingley.
The front garden matcha spot has become a firm favourite for students and locals alike over the past year, gaining more than 12,000 followers on Instagram.
The self-proclaimed 'tiniest matcha stand in Leeds' is located in the residential area of Little Woodhouse and is run by the lovely Matt and Julia.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
However, in August their retroactive planning application was rejected by the council and they were given 28 days to remove the shed.
In a published document via Leeds City Council website, multiple reasons were listed for the decision to refuse planning permission for the bright-green matcha shed.
The electronic letter signed by Martin Elliot, Chief Planning Officer, listed spoiling the property's character, increased footfall, and a failure to comply with numerous development and design policies.
In response, Matt and Julia launched a petition urging people to save Sips Matcha, labelling the painted wooden shed-turned-coffee shop as a 'Community Stand'.
Despite over 3,000 signatures, Sips Matcha have announced on their social media today that the shed must be removed by the end of November.
The statement reads: "our retrospective planning was declined, we appealed, and the appeal was dismissed. then the dreaded email arrived: the shed has to come down by the end of november.
"we don’t have all the answers yet, but we’re working out what happens next. over 3,000 of you signed the petition and it meant the world. thank you for every sip, share and signature. come say hi while we’re still here."
We're absolutely gutted for them, so make sure you pop by for a matcha before the end of November to give them a proper farewell.
Clementine Hall -
10th August 2023 
