Leeds

Leeds’ new flagship Zara store is now officially open

Take all my money.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 8th August 2024

After working on the site for over a year, the new three-storey Zara store inside Trinity has officially opened its doors.

And we've got to say, it looks absolutely amazing.

The new 46,000 sq ft space on Briggate is spread across three floors and was previously home to Topshop until 2021.

The new store features Zara’s woman, man, and kids collections and showcases the latest technological innovations from Zara’s integrated online and physical store platform.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Gone are the days of queueing to pay, in this new store you'll be able to check out for yourself making the shopping experience smooth and seamless.

The move is part of an optimisation plan from Zara’s parent group Inditex, which encompasses bigger, better and more beautiful stores in the best retail destinations globally.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Steven Foster, Centre Director at Trinity Leeds, said: “It’s been years in the making but the new Zara store is most definitely worth the wait. A huge amount of work has been going on behind the scenes to get to this point, and we’re sure guests will be impressed with this incredible new addition to Trinity Leeds.

“Zara is a huge name in retail and it speaks volumes that they’ve chosen to snap up a prime spot in such an iconic retail location in the heart of the city centre.”

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Zara follows a number of brands that have recently joined the line-up at Trinity Leeds shopping centre, including Nike: Rise, Jack & Jones, Five Guys and Knoops.

The doors officially opened this morning at 9am, with flocks of exciting shoppers awaiting to make their first purchase.

Read more:

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Leeds

Audio North’s Artist of the Month – Kenzo Jae | September 2026

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Kenzo Jae is a creative who wants to put Bradford on the music map through his alternative-rap tracks and now he's Audio North's Artist of the Month.

This multi-tasking mastermind doesn't only record his own music, he's also a digital illustrator and graphic designer - Oh, and he even directs his own music videos (Leave some talent for the rest of us - We're begging).

Embarking on The Sloth Tour with three UK based dates in Manchester, Leeds and London throughout October, where Kenzo Jae will be playing out hits like 'Softly', 'Chicken Bagel', 'End of the World' and more.

This storytelling songwriter now sits down with Audio North to chat all things Artist of the Month and share a little more insight into his music career so far.

Audio North's Artist of the Month - Kenzo Jae | Interview

How much does being from Bradford influence the music you release?

All aspects of my personality have been influenced by Bradford,  and I’m never more myself than when I’m writing. So lyrically Bradford has had a big impact. 

What’s it like being an artist from Bradford? 

At first it felt like something I had to hide. Now it’s something I wear as a badge. There’s not many of us in the grand scheme of things. It’s a niche club and I love that. The underdogs. 

What northern artists are you loving at the minute?

Ellur and Wilfred.

If you could describe your artistry in three words what would they be and why?

Honest - I try not to hide behind anything in my music even when it’s critical of myself. If something has happened to me or I’m feeling something, I’d rather put it into a song exactly as it is. Might take me a few years but once it’s in the song I can get over it 

Colourful - The vision of the world of my music to me feels saturated and bright. the occasional darkness but for the most part. 

Arrogant - I think it takes a level of arrogant to do and say certain things in my music. Even to do the visual aspects too painting myself pink, wearing a sloth hat etc Takes an arrogance to think yeah I can put myself in such a weird position and believe it’s going to work 

You’ve already amassed over 100k streams on SLOTH - How are you feeling about its reception so far?

It’s been great to see that people have really resonated with the story and the arc I have been on. I want to push it further and hope it reaches everyone that needs it 

How fulfilling is it for you to release the SLOTH mixtape, a title you’ve held onto since you were 16?

The most cathartic feeling. Especially when it’s you know you’ve made it exactly the way I intended. It’s also a learning curve for things I will do differently for the next one. 

You posted a reel describing how you spent two weeks animating a music video for yourself- How important is being hands-on in all aspects of your music career?

I’m a control freak. And if something is in my head, it’s a lot easier to do it myself. Don’t get me wrong , I work with a lot of hard working talented people that I can now trust and delegate work to. But on this instant, I love animation and I find the most enjoyment in editing visuals 

Since you have a track titled ‘Chicken Bagel’, where are some of your favourite brunch or general food spots in West Yorkshire?

I grew up on chicken shops and Salah's is the goat. In terms of restaurants, Classic Persian is the best for me. 

You’re not afraid of risk-taking and standing out, even going as far as painting yourself pink for one of your visuals - what advice would you give to any emerging artists who want to be as confident as you?

You have to be willing to embarrass yourself. The stuff that feels slightly uncomfortable, is usually the stuff that people remember.

And confidence doesn’t necessarily mean thinking you’re amazing. Sometimes it’s just being willing to say, “I don’t care if this is weird, I like it.”

It’s also it’s just more fun to feel like your outside of the box

Read more: Innovative Leeds music venue TESTBED announces launch party lineup

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Leeds and West Yorkshire, subscribe to The Hoot Leeds WhatsApp broadcast HERE.

Featured Images - Press Shots (via Supplied)

Leeds

The Leeds Supper Club bringing people together over incredible food

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

What started as a simple idea around food has grown into something much bigger for Leeds Supper Club.

The idea was born from a love of food and the idea that eating together can be about much more than what’s on your plate.

Rather than simply going out to a restaurant, Leeds Supper Club puts connection at the heart of its events, bringing people together to share incredible food and enjoy an evening in good company.

We had the pleasure of attending their most recent event where we had the most wonderful evening with founders Lizzie, Phillip and the rest of the club.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

This instalment was a very special one, as it was in collaboration with Knotfield Vine over in Horsforth.

I mean, it really doesn't get more scenic than this - we really felt like we'd been whisked away to the South of France rather than a Leeds suburb. But we wouldn't want it either way.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

What makes it a cut above the rest is the details. Every little detail has been thought out, from the low-lit, sexy lighting, hand-made name plates, live music and four courses of wonderful seasonal goodness made fresh.

From enjoying a glass of wine within the vines alongside a couple of nibbles to tucking into a three course meal around a candle-lit table, there's really nowhere else like it.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

The tagliatelle pasta with beef and whipped feta was a real highlight, and knowing Lizzie and Philip receive help on the menu and the cooking from all their friends made it taste that much sweeter.

By the end of it we'd had some delicious food, fabulous wine and shared even better conversation. And it's safe to say we left feeling a part of the club.

Keep an eye on their Instagram page here for all upcoming events.

Read more: Five of the best new restaurants and cafes to open in Leeds recently

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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