The debate of the Leeds trams feels as if it's been going since the dawn of time.
As the largest city in Europe without a tram or metro system, it's often thought that that city is missing out on key transport links, but since the closure of the old tram network in 1959, nothing has ever been developed.
This said, that doesn't mean that there haven't been plans to do so- and one of the most exciting was the plan from Council Transport General Manager Vayne Moorland to move the existing tram network by taking it all underground, hidden from sight during the 1940s.
The plans to build a mass transit underground railway system, similar to the London Metro, were drawn up around the time of the World War using two single deck converted electric trams with a main station at City Square.
YouTuber, Adventure Me, explored the plans over the Christmas period to explain how the plans could have come to life.
There would have been seven entrances in total and two levels of services, including a large concourse area for purchasing tickets and it is rumoured that there were experimental tunnels and chambers that were dug out to see how the plans could come to life underneath City Square.
There's photographs of the 'excavation of Marsh Lane Subway' that could have been for utility tunnels, or if you want to believe that there's more to it, they could have been a part of the plans.
But one fact that has been confirmed is that there was even a prototype tram purchased for testing the subway in Leeds, which is still available to see today at the National Tramway Museum in Derbyshire.
Image: Crich Tramway Village, Jim Dignan
AdventureMe headed over to City Square to see if there were any hatches alluding to underground tunnels, explaining that there's always evidence at these sites as access is still needed for emergency measures like flooding. The YouTuber concluded that they may just be electric substations, though he was still "filled with suspicion".
So if you catch yourself walking through City Square wondering what could have been lying beneath your feet, you're not alone.
Feature Image- Unsplash
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A massive food and drink festival is coming to Temple Newsam this weekend
We hope you're hungry Leeds, because a big festival dedicated to all things food is coming to Temple Newsam.
The Temple Newsam Food Festival is now in its second year after a resounding first edition, aiming to celebrate cultural diversity, independent businesses, and global cuisine.
It will take place this weekend on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August 2026, with the beautiful and historic Temple Newsam providing the perfectly picturesque location.
The festival will celebrate local talent, independent businesses, world cultures and international flavours.
The Street Food Arena will feature an array of global cuisines, cultural delicacies, and irresistible desserts whilst the event's bustling Artisan Markets will showcase a plethora of small businesses and local entrepreneurs offering freshly-baked goods, quality produce. hand-made crafts, unique experiences, vibrant art, and much more.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And it doesn't stop there as festival-goers can enjoy a selection of independent bars serving cocktails, specialty spirits, fresh cider, wine and beer.
This year there will be a huge focus on live cookery demos, with ten demonstrations from a whole range of talented chefs including Leeds' own Josh Whitehead of Finer Pleasures, Bobby Geetha of Kerala Canteen and stars from Masterchef and The Great British Bake Off.
And it's not just about food and drink, as new for this year there will be a dog show, plenty of live music and lots of fun activities such as inflatable jousting and target paintball.
Tickets are on sale now, and you can grab yours here.
The hidden Leeds bakery serving giant cheese twists, pickle sausage rolls and chocolate focaccia
Clementine Hall
This spot in the city is baking up some weird and wonderful creations.
But you'll have to act fast if you want to get your hands on them, as it's only open one day a week for all your doughy desires.
Introducing Fold, a focaccia-focused bakery by the talented team behind The Cheesy Living Co.
Rewind to this time last year and with three restaurants flourishing across Leeds, the team needed a space to bake all their bread and sweet treats in-house to supply to sites.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And this is where Fold came in, located underneath the arches of Brussels Street on the outskirts of the city centre - it may take a while to find this spot but once you have, it'll be worth it.
And they're making some of the most inventive bakes that we've seen.
Of course there'll always be a focaccia on offer, with flavours ranging from crispy chilli oil, sesame and spring onion to kimchi, cheese and pistachio.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And it's not just savoury focaccia, you'll even find gooey chocolate and banana focaccia as well as Biscoff waffle focaccia....yep, seriously.
Elsewhere they specialise in gigantic footlong cheese twists with more crispy bits than soft, as well as chorizo and cheese stuffed sausage rolls and a range of freshly baked bagels for you to go home and smear in your cream cheese of choice.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Some seriously spectacular specials have been the gochujang cookies and the 'pickle roll', basically like a sausage roll but with...pickles.
It seems there's really no boundaries for where these bakes will go, and you can guarantee that every visit will be different than the rest.
Only open on Saturdays from 10am - 1pm, Fold are changing the baking game. Pop in and say hello, you won't be disappointed.
Sophie Smith -
12th March 2024 
