Having played host to legendary club nights for over 40 years, iconic club space The Warehouse has now revealed it will start hosting gigs too.
Over the years, The Warehouse has welcomed some of the most iconic bands and DJs to the city, including heavy hitters like The Sugar Hill Gang, Stone Roses, Oasis, Greg Wilson, Mike Pickering and Fat Boy Slim.
It's become known over the years as a great clubbing venue, hosting legendary nights like SpeedQueen and Kaos - but it initially began life as a live music venue.
The new loft space at The Warehouse / Image: The Warehouse
Now, it's come full circle: launching a new format that will see the celebrated house music venue welcome live performances in the early evenings.
A new format will see The Warehouse host live gig performances up until 10pm, then switch over to club nights as the evening turns into the early hours of the morning.
The club and gig space has already sold out its opening week parties and is bringing some huge names to Leeds, including Annie Mac, Alan Fizpartick and Richy Ahemd, Black Grape, Goldie Lookin Chain and Versatile as part of its relaunch.
The main room at The Warehouse is well set up for live gigs / Image: The Warehouse
Speaking on the decision to switch things up at The Warehouse, co-owner Will Habergham explained that they feel the pandemic has very much shifted the focus of the nightlife scene into a new direction.
"Post-COVID nightlife and venues have had to adapt. We have had to take a new direction. Traditional nightclubs have had to diversify to survive, essentially offering a flexible space that can accommodate all sorts of events", said Will.
"In the conventional sense, nightclubs are no longer what they used to be, and unfortunately, many venues have been forced to close due to the pandemic.
The Warehouse team have worked really hard throughout the pandemic to get the club ready for reopening / Image: The Warehouse
"There has definitely been a move towards bar culture and nightlife, as we know it, has changed.
"Whilst there is still a place for nightclubs, we think nightlife will be more event and experience-led, and due to the pandemic, for some students, it will be the first time they have ever even experienced a nightclub!"
Co-owner and live events organiser at The Warehouse , Dan Ickowitz-Seidler, continued:
"We were keen to restore the legacy of The Warehouse as a fantastic live music venue as well as one of Leeds' most legendary nightclubs."
"We can't wait for people to see what we've done. We think there will be so much pent-up demand for live music and events after over a year without any.
"While events have attempted to go online during the pandemic, I think it's really made us all realise you just can't beat the experience and feeling of being in the room and witnessing an event in person.
"We're excited to get people back into our venue and witnessing some legendary events."
The Warehouse returns at one minute past midnight on July 19 with its first "Freedom Rave".
Find it at 19-21 Somers Street, Leeds, LS1 2RG.
News
A new bar dedicated to Guinness and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!
Leeds City Council granted £1.6m to tackle rough sleeping by Christmas
Clementine Hall
A £1.6m grant has been given by the government to Leeds City Council to help tackle rough sleeping.
The funding has been allocated to Leeds City Council as part of the Government’s national Rough Sleeping Programme.
The overall target is to help rough sleepovers off the streets by Christmas through providing safe accommodation.
The council have said that voluntary organisations and charities will be able to help them reach this target.
The council report said: "This funding will be used for immediate interventions to ensure all those rough sleeping have an offer of accommodation by Christmas and support longer term sustainment of accommodation.
“The initial target is to provide a suitable offer of accommodation for everyone who is rough sleeping by Christmas 2026.
“Providing a path into supported accommodation and independent living is the key objective and sustaining this independent living with, where necessary, ongoing support to prevent any return to rough sleeping and homelessness.”
The government announcement spoke of the scheme: "The programme is intended to support people experiencing rough sleeping.
"People experiencing rough sleeping may have differing entitlements to housing and support depending on their individual circumstances, including their immigration status and eligibility for public funds."
The funding is intended to help provide immediate support for people currently sleeping on the streets, while also helping them access longer-term accommodation and the support needed to maintain independent living.
By working with local charities and voluntary organisations, the council hopes to ensure people are not only offered a place to stay but are also given the help they need to avoid returning to the streets.
Georgina Pellant -
16th July 2021 
