Leeds is set to get a new city-wide tram network as part of a 'transformational' mass transit plan for the region.
Incorporating historic tramlines uncovered by builders at the Corn Exchange last year, the new network will utilise some of the city's long-lost routes as well as creating some brand new ones.
According to reports, the inner-city network is being brought in instead of the long-promised High Speed 2 (HS2) railway link from Leeds to London, which was scrapped by government ministers at the end of last year.
Councillors have now been told that Leeds will now receive an inner-city tram network by way of 'compensation'.
The news follows the announcement that the Manchester to Leeds HS2 leg has officially been scrapped by government ministers, with some hoping that the new tram line will serve as an appeasement to locals.
The idea was first made public by The Mail on Sunday last November, with a government source telling the paper at the time: "We are considering improvements to bring Leeds into line with other cities.”
Back in 2019, Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said it was “madness that Leeds should be the largest city in Europe with no metro rail system”.
Now, it appears that the city is to be 'levelled up' as promised after all.
The old tram network in Leeds ran until 1959. / Image: Patrick Howley
Leeds of course did have a transit system that ran across the city from 1871 – 1959, using a combination of horse-drawn, steam and electric trams over time.
However, due to the trams being deemed unaffordable by the City Council following the Second World War, they ultimately closed – and have been missed in the city ever since.
At present, Leeds is the largest city in Western Europe without a built-in transport system, but if the Birmingham – Leeds line of HS2 is scrapped and new tram plans are approved by ministers, this could become a statistic of the past.
This is not the first time Leeds has been promised a new tram network, however. Plans for a network across the city centre have been going on for quite some time.
The plans were finally scrapped in 2005 by the Transport Secretary after budget issues, but the proposed track would have served the inner city, both Universities and Headingley.
Leeds supertram plans were disbanded in 2005 but the plans are still available online. / Image: Open Street Map
The three lines would have run from Tingley, Bodington and Grimes Dyke and joined in the city centre at stations on Albion Street, Eastgate, Boar Lane and City Square.
Last summer, builders unearthed historic tram tracks more than 60 years old -leading to calls from the public to restore the lines to their former glory.
Now, at last, residents' calls are being made into a reality - as Leeds City council has confirmed plans to restore the lines and bring trams back to Leeds as early as the end of 2022.
In a statement, Councillor Joe KS Mc'Gee said: "The people of Leeds have long called for the restoration of the city's historic tram lines, and today we can confirm that this desire is finally set to become a reality.
"We are thrilled that the decision has been made to reinstate this integral piece of the city's culture and Leeds is now being brought in line with other major citys across the UK."
In another hit to the high streets, Claire's Accessories is shutting up shop across the UK and Ireland after entering into administration yet again.
Falling into an unfortunate financial status for the second time in less than a year, Claire's will be shutting down all of their standalone stores across Britain, along with their IE branches.
A total of 154 stores will soon disappear, with more than a thousand people set to be put out of work.
Once a mainstay up and down the country, the accessory shop known for all things jewellery, piercings and more has ceased trading effective immediately.
Announced at the start of the week and the end of the first full month of Q2, it was confirmed that Claire's closed their final locations on Monday, 27 April.
With administrators, Kroll, appointed to wrap up business proceedings, an estimated 1,300 English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh workers have now lost their jobs.
Founded in America way back in 1961, Claire's has enjoyed a presence across the Atlantic for more than three decades.
However, with various other contemporaries and cheaper online options having appeared over the years, they've struggled not just to remain profitable but to compete full stop.
They filed for bankruptcy in the US in August 2025 after having already concluded operations in Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
For many, the outcome isn't all that surprising, but it will nevertheless be a sad loss for many who have seen multiple generations visit these venues over the years.
Slam Dunk festival’s statement in full as director steps down amid allegations
Daisy Jackson
Slam Dunk festival has shared a statement confirming one of its directors has stepped down, in the wake of allegations.
The popular punk festival takes place next month across two sites, one of which is here in Leeds.
This year's line-up is set to include headline performances from the likes of Good Charlotte, Knocked Loose, Sublime, and Taking Back Sunday.
But Slam Dunk has been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week after allegations against one of its directors came to light.
Slam Dunk said in its statement, which did not get into specifics about the nature of the allegations, that the festival 'remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all employees, partners, and customers'.
They added that the director has stepped down, but 'strongly refutes' the allegations.
The statement then promised 'transparency and honesty' and said that more updates would be provided when appropriate.
Slam Dunk wrote: "We are aware of allegations published yesterday relating to one of our directors. We take these allegations seriously and understand that they may be distressing and hard to process for our community.
"Our Slam Dunk fans, staff, and artists are, as always, our top priority.
"While he strongly refutes these allegations, the director in question has agreed, in consultation with the board, to step down from Slam Dunk operations while this matter is ongoing.
"Slam Dunk remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all employees, partners, and customers.
"Our values and culture are fundamental to how we operate, and we are committed to upholding them.
"It would be inappropriate for us to comment further on an ongoing legal matter.
"However, we promise transparency and honesty to our Slam Dunk community and will provide updates when it is appropriate to do so."
Slam Dunk returns to Temple Newsam in Leeds on Sunday 24 May.
The Hoot -
1st April 2022 
