Are you ready to dress dapper? Because Skopes, a heritage menswear brand, is setting up shop in Leeds.
If you're looking to purchase a swanky new suit ahead of the festive season, then look no further than Skopes.
One of the UK's longest-established menswear brands that recently celebrated its 75th anniversary is set to be your new go-to spot for everything menswear.
From suits and outwear to shirts and footwear, you'll find everything to make you feel your best in a range of varieties, styles and colours.
Image: Supplied
And luckily for us, their new location will be opening inside White Rose Shopping Centre this Saturday 28 September.
Dating back to 1948 when it was founded by Sydney Cope in the city, Skopes has a rich history in Leeds that makes the new opening even more exciting.
Today, the brand is led by his grandson, Simon Cope and continues to expand its reach with 19 existing stores and 15 concessions across the UK including Westfield, London, Meadowhall, Sheffield, and the Metro Centre, Newcastle.
Image: Supplied
To celebrate the grand opening, Skopes will host a brunch party open to the public, featuring VIP guests, live entertainment by Leeds singer songwriter Kuill and Britain’s Got Talent magician Luke Lenihan.
Married at First Sight star Matt Jameson will cut the ribbon with Skopes CEO Simon Cope at 9.30am where they'll be joined with long-standing Skopes customers and sports stars, Kevin Sinfield and Ross McCormack.
Images: Supplied
The event includes the opportunity to view Skopes’ latest collection and meet with men’s stylist Nick Hems, who will be on hand to provide personalised style advice tailored to formalwear needs, whether it’s for an upcoming event, workwear wardrobe upgrade or simply exploring this season’s trends.
The event will finish at 1.30pm and it is set to be a fantastic day to remember.
Simon expressed his excitement about the new store: “Leeds is more than the place where Skopes was founded; it's in our DNA. The city's heritage in textiles and its appreciation for quality and style have shaped our brand from the very beginning. Opening our White Rose store feels like a homecoming and a celebration of our roots.”
Image: Supplied
Simon added: “We constantly strive to stay ahead of the curve and meet the changing wants, needs, and desires of our customers. The role of the suit in men’s lives has changed dramatically since the pandemic; the five-days-a-week suited and booted look for the office is virtually a thing of the past, but that doesn’t mean the suit is dead.
"Our customers now want suits for specific occasions and events, which our store lay-out reflects. It’s certainly not a boring ‘suits you, sir’ old-fashioned store and we can’t wait to welcome people through the doors.”
To find out more about Skopes before their highly anticipated new opening, take a look at their website.
Good news, Leeds - Thor's Tipi will be back in town before you know it for its summer pop-up.
The popular outdoor bar will be bringing spritzes, pints, live music, themed events and more to City Square once again.
Always a must-visit spot during the Leeds Christmas Markets, in recent years Thor's Tipi has come back to Leeds for the summer months too.
And it's the same in 2026 - the iconic tipi will be reopening next month, promising a free drink to the first 100 people through the door on opening night.
They're promising draft pints from plenty of local brewery favourites, like Northern Monk, plus a dedicated spritz menu.
Stand-out serves will include the indulgent Dr Pepper Cocktail.
Underneath the canvas and spilling out onto the terrace, Leeds will be treated to a lively programme of entertainment, including free live music showcasing local talent every Thursday between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.
Thor's Tipi in Leeds in 2025Cocktails at Thor's TipiThor's Tipi will return this summer
Every Friday, there'll be a new series of themed nights, taking you from the Wild West to a Hawaiian lūʻau and even a summer Oktoberfest.
And for families, there'll be everything from family raves, craft tables, and table tennis in the pocket park.
Amanda Monaghan, director at THOR’S, said: "We can’t wait to be back on City Square with our fire pits, ice-cold pints and giant glitter balls! We promise a summer of fun for all."
Thor's Tipi opens at City Square in Leeds on 14 May from 5pm, and will run until 31 August.
Kirkstall Brewery and Little Bao Boy unveil new Leeds taproom
Daisy Jackson
You know the venue, and you know the operators behind it, but things are looking a little different over on Sovereign Street.
Leeds' very own Kirkstall Brewery has teamed up with street food legends Little Bao Boy to totally reinvent the city centre taproom formerly known as North Taproom.
At the all-new The City Taproom, you'll find a way cosier space alongside their sun-soaked terrace, as they aim to reimagine a traditional city centre pub.
Across 16 tap lines there are loads of Kirkstall Brewery classics, like Kirkstall Pilsner, Virtuous and Judicious, plus a rotating selection of guest beers from top British breweries - and Guinness, of course.
The City Taproom will also feature two new cask lines: one serving Three Swords as a staple, and the other on rotation starting this month with Golden Hour.
There's a bigger kitchen for Little Bao Boy too, which means an even larger menu of bao and Asian street food, like loaded fries, noodles, and rice bowls.
Little Bao Boy was founded 10 years ago by James Ooi, specialising in home-made bao buns and traditional Asian street food with a contemporary western twist.
Kirkstall have injected the huge space with the traditional essence of a proper Kirkstall establishment, with that kind of cosy atmosphere you know them for at the brewery's other sites.
Little Bao Boy at City TaproomKirkstall Brewery pints and cocktails
This is yet another of the local brewery's openings in the city centre, joining their recent renovation of The Victoria & Commercial in partnership with Whitelocks, plus their stewardship of the historic Tetley brewery building.
James Ooi, founder of Little Bao Boy said: "We have been part of this venue since day one, through COVID, outside seating, and new owners, and we are so excited for this refurb.
"On the food side, expect more collaborations, faster service, and a better overall customer experience. We are extremely grateful Kirkstall saw the value in this refurb and can't wait to get back open."
Steve Holt, founder of Kirkstall Brewery, said: "We're delighted to unveil a new presentation for the Taproom on Sovereign Street.
"It has been named The City Taproom after a famous but long-gone Leeds pub known as ‘The City’, which was situated where the statue of the Dortmund Brewer now stands. Images of the original City pub are a feature in the new look City Taproom, which can best be described as a 're-imagination' of a traditional city-centre pub.
"The City Taproom celebrates Leeds and its rich pub and brewing heritage. We hope that it will become a popular addition to the amazing and diverse venues that make Leeds such a vibrant City for hospitality and entertainment."
It's all the bits you loved before, just a little bigger and a whole lot better.
The City Taproom opens at 3 Sovereign Street on Thursday 23 April.
Clementine Hall -
25th September 2024 
