Leeds
Leeds £46m train station re-design ongoing as govt watchdog brands HS2 ‘unachievable’
Many in the region are wondering what is being done to improve our railways right now.
Leeds train station is undergoing a £46m re-design that will see its entrance completely transformed within two years.
The station’s main entrance and surrounding area are set to be considerably improved, thanks to a huge funding input of £46.1m courtesy of Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway.
Work has been taking place since 2022, and the updates are designed to ensure that the station can meet increased capacity demands.
Given the news on Sunday that the government's own infrastructure watchdog has finally branded its long-drawn-out HS2 vision for the country's rail future 'unachievable’, many in the region are wondering what is being done to improve our railways.
With major improvement work at the station now underway, however, it's more noticeable than ever - leading locals to wonder what, exactly, is going on, and when it will be finished.
New Station Street is to be pedestrianised, meaning the existing taxi rank will be relocated to Bishopgate Street accessible by two 21-passenger capacity lifts.
Read more: There’s a beach coming to Leeds city centre for the summer
Bus services, meanwhile, will be relocated to Boar Lane with walking routes complemented by comprehensive wayfinding displays.
Further new additions as part of the £46m upgrade, meanwhile, will include a new cycling hub at the station and the addition of new cycling infrastructure on Bishopgate Street and Neville Street.
Read more: Channel 4 are looking for people with phobias to take part in a new series
Environmental improvements are also pencilled in for the refurbishment, to future-proof the station and make it more sustainable for the next generation.
The deadline for completion is currently set for 2025, with improvements delivered by Leeds City Council in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Network Rail, via the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund.
Featured image - Geograph
Leeds
Turnstile to play their only UK headline show this year at Halifax Piece Hall
Clementine Hall
Turnstile will headline the Halifax Piece Hall this summer, their only UK headline show.
The Grammy-winning hardcore group have just announced a very special show at historic venue the Halifax Piece Hall.
As part of the venue's huge summer season, Turnstile will take to the stage on Wednesday 26 August marking a whopping 41 shows at the Piece Hall's calendar so far.
The group pulled huge crowds at Glastonbury festival last year and scooped up two Grammy Awards earlier this month, using their platform to thank fans who "swung in the dark" with them.
Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL FRSA, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, says: “2026 will see Turnstile playing at some of the world’s most iconic festivals and then here in Halifax at UK’s most iconic heritage venue.”
“We always aim to deliver for the full spectrum of music lovers in Calderdale and knowing how passionate our rock and metal community is, this gig will be off the scale – truly unmissable!”
Alongside Turnstile, Halifax Piece Hall will welcome the likes of Hollywood Vampires, Paul Weller, Bowling For Soup, Skunk Anansie, Garbage, Empire of the Sun, Sex Pistols, Mcfly, CMAT and Jimmy Eat World this summer. What a season it's going to be.
Baltimore’s hardcore heroes will head to West Yorkshire to play TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall on Wednesday August 26.
Tickets go on sale this Friday 27 February at 10am, and you can get your tickets here.
Find out more about what's going on at the Halifax Piece Hall this summer here.
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Featured image - Press image
Leeds
This iconic Leeds pub is selling 25p pints for the weekend alongside a 70’s-inspired menu
Clementine Hall
Whitelock's Ale House in Leeds are turning back the clocks for four days only.
Ever fancied giving time travel a go? Well now's your chance, as a historic Leeds pub are looking back to time gone by for the weekend.
Whitelock's Ale House are collaborating with Double Diamond beer, an iconic British pale ale made popular in the 70's and now somewhat having a resurgence.
From this Thursday 26 February until Sunday 1 March 2026, pints of Double Diamond will be available for just 25p.
Yep, you can't even get a Freddo for 25p these days let alone a cold, refreshing pint.
Guests will be able to grab their first pint of Double Diamond for 25p along with a nostalgic specials menu from the Whitelock's kitchen.
And if you know anything about their food, it's always class so this specials menu will be absolutely no exception.
The specials menu includes a french onion quiche, a coronation chicken sandwich, gammon, pineapple, egg and chips and to top it all off, a raspberry Swiss roll with custard.
You can get three courses for just £30 and you can either pre-order or order individually when you're there.
This is set to be a real blast from the past, so rally your mates together and prepare for a trip down memory lane and for what could be the cheapest pint of your life.
You can find out more and book your table at Whitelock's Ale House here.
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Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
Georgina Pellant -
31st July 2023 
