Plans to place a northern version of London's renowned Brit School in Bradford have been given the go-ahead.
The famous Brit School in Croydon, South London, originally opened its doors in 1991.
It helped launch the careers of international stars including Adele, Amy Winehouse, Jessie J and Katie Melua.
The school is supported by the British Phonographic Industry and graduates have collectively sold more than 250 million albums and won 15 Brit awards over the past 30 years.
The Brit School in South London. Image: Brit School
The government have said the new Bradford location will be backed by huge music industry companies such as Sony Music Entertainment UK, Universal Music UK and Warner Music UK.
The BPI plans were submitted in February and although no official opening date has been announced, they've said they hope it will be up and running by 2026.
The BPI said that the northern school will match the already vibrant and cultural scene in Bradford.
The Brit School North will be free to attend for 500 pupils aged 16 to 19, and will offer courses in music, theatre and dance.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
BPI chair YolanDa Brown said the new school will improve access to creative education and diminish the need for young people to move to London.
The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, spoke about the news: "This is a fantastic win for the North and supports our ambition to ensure opportunities for all, no matter where you're from or where you live. The build up to Bradford UK City of Culture 2025 has already started to inspire the next generation of artists.
"And now, with West Yorkshire becoming the home of Brit School North, more young people can follow in the footsteps of our world-class homegrown artists, from the likes of Mel B and Corinne Bailey Rae to the Kaiser Chiefs."
Bradford-born One Direction star Zayn Malik has expressed his support for the new school.
Popular pizza pop-up Edges Pizza has opened a permanent home in Leeds city centre.
Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residencies across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.
Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason. Edges Pizza has just opened a permanent new takeaway under the arches in Holbeck, and it's absolutely class.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Owners Grace and Edge who are from Harrogate opened Edges two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
They've completely transformed the space into a proper love letter to the big apple. It will operate mainly as a takeaway, but there is a small seating area where you can perch and tuck into your pie.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu is perfectly curated, consisting of eight pizzas and three dips. And trust us, they are absolutely massive.
We opted for the American Hot with spicy pepperoni, banana peppers and parmesan as well as the mushroom pie topped with garlic creme fraiche and chestnut mushrooms.
Drizzled and dunked into moreish hot honey, it's rivalling some of the best pizza in the city.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For now, grabbing a pizza from Edges operates through a pre-order system. Pre-orders open at 12pm the day before via their website, you can pick your collection time and then you simply have to rock up and get your pizza.
There's loads of parking available nearby and if there are any remaining slots available you can pre-order up to an hour before collection.
We've got a feeling they're going to very busy indeed.
Mamma Mia! The Musical at Leeds Grand Theatre – more than a jukebox musical | Review
Declan Kelly
Mamma Mia! continues to resonate with audiences through its themes of love, identity and belonging.
More than 25 years after it first premiered in London's West End, Mamma Mia! remains one of musical theatre's greatest success stories.
Created by Catherine Johnson and built around the timeless songs of ABBA, the musical has become a global phenomenon, spawning countless international productions and two blockbuster films. Far from feeling dated, the 2026 UK tour, which arrived at Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House on Wednesday 17 June, served as a vibrant reminder of why this feel-good favourite continues to captivate audiences.
From the opening bars, the production embraces everything that has made Mamma Mia! such an enduring crowd-pleaser. Packed with beloved hits from ABBA's catalogue, the evening is overflowing with nostalgia, joy and infectious energy.
Image: Supplied
Classics including "Dancing Queen", "Voulez-Vous" and the title number are delivered with enthusiasm and flair, earning enthusiastic reactions from an audience eager to revisit songs that have become part of popular culture.
While the music provides the soundtrack, it is the relationships at the heart of the story that give the production its emotional depth. Lydia Hunt's Sophie Sheridan is portrayed with a clear sense of character, her mannerisms and youthful curiosity making her quest to discover her father entirely believable.
Image: Supplied
Opposite her, Jenn Griffin brings warmth and vulnerability to Donna Sheridan, balancing strength with the anxieties of a mother whose past unexpectedly returns. Together, the pair share a natural chemistry that grounds the production and ensures the emotional stakes remain genuine. Their performances highlight that Sophie's journey is not simply about discovering who her father is, but understanding herself and appreciating the family she already has.
Comedy is never far away, and some of the evening's biggest laughs come courtesy of Sarah Earnshaw and Rosie Glossop as Tanya and Rosie. Their chemistry injects humour throughout the production, with much of the show's lighter side relying on the antics and personalities of Donna's lifelong friends.
Image: Supplied
However, it is "Does Your Mother Know" that emerges as one of the evening's defining moments. Sarah Earnshaw's Tanya commands the stage with confidence and charisma, while Joseph Vella's Pepper matches her energy perfectly, creating a number brimming with playful humour and infectious fun. Their comic timing and exaggerated flirtation are executed with precision, allowing the audience to fully embrace the absurdity of the situation.
More than simply providing laughs, the sequence encapsulates what makes Mamma Mia! such an enduring piece of musical theatre. The number is staged with a sense of joy and theatricality that transforms a familiar ABBA hit but also memorable moments from the film we all recognise and love.
Image: Supplied
The audience's reaction throughout demonstrated just how effectively the show uses comedy to complement its emotional moments, and the chemistry between Earnshaw and Vella ensures that "Does Your Mother Know" becomes far more than a novelty number. Instead, it stands as one of the production's finest examples of how Mamma Mia! expertly balances humour, character and musical performance, delivering a sequence that is both hilarious and quintessentially entertaining.
Visually, the production retains the sun-soaked charm that audiences have come to expect. Colourful costumes, energetic choreography and the idyllic Greek island setting create an atmosphere of escapism, transporting the audience from Yorkshire to the Mediterranean in an instant. The pace rarely falters, allowing the musical numbers and quieter moments to complement one another seamlessly.
Beneath the glitter, platform boots and familiar melodies, however, lies a surprisingly poignant message. Mamma Mia! is ultimately a story about identity, family and accepting that life does not always provide neat answers.
Image: Supplied
Sophie's search for her father reveals that the versions of ourselves we think we need to find may not be the answers we are searching for after all. Instead, the musical celebrates love, friendship and the families we create, reminding audiences that happiness often comes from embracing what is already in front of us rather than chasing perfection.
More than two decades after its debut, Mamma Mia! The Musical continues to prove why it has become a modern classic. Blending iconic songs, heartfelt performances and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this latest touring production leaves audiences exactly as it should: smiling, singing and perhaps viewing the meaning of family a little differently.
Running at Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House from 16 June to 27 June, you can get your tickets here.
Clementine Hall -
21st August 2023 
