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New rail strike to take place on 27 July across Britain
Everything you need to know about the next rail strike.
Railway workers are set to stage a one-day walkout on 27 July 2022 as part of an ongoing dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.
It comes just weeks after the UK saw the biggest national rail strike in 50 years.
Thousands of Network rail workers walked out during strike action in June, causing major disruption for millions of commuters.
Earlier this week, the Rail, Maritime and Transport workers union (RMT) were offered a 5% pay rise, heavily discounted travel and huge monthly cash bonuses by Network Rail in a desparate attempt to prevent further strikes.
Declining this offer, members of the union described it as "paltry" and declared they would be consulting other unions with mandates for further strike action in the coming days.
Members of the drivers' union Aslef and the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) have agreed to industrial action in recent days. If members of the Aslef union go ahead with the walkout, it would mean that as little as 1 in 10 trains would run on chosen strike days.
At the end of July, ballots will close for strike action at CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast and Direct Rail Services.
Here's what you need to know:
On Wednesday 13 July 2022, it was announced that Network Rail and RMT staff will next strike on July 27 for 24 hours.
Arriva Rail London, Chiltern Railways, Great Western, LNER, Northern Trains, Southeastern, TransPennine Express and West Midlands Trains will all be affected by the upcoming Aslef strikes.
The strike is expected to include over 40,000 workers - roughly 20,000 from Network Rail, including signalling and track maintenance workers, and the remainder from 14 train operating companies.
More information regarding altered timetables and cancellations will be shared in due course and can be found on the Network Rail website.
Read more: Chow Down announces summertime bottomless brunch and new street vendors
Feature image: Leeds City Railway Station
News
Tom Odell announces huge outdoor Leeds show as part of Sounds of the City
Clementine Hall
UK singer-songwriter Tom Odell is set to play a huge outdoor Leeds show this summer.
Sounds of the City is making a triumphant return this summer and we couldn't be more excited.
Being added to the already star-studded lineup is Tom Odell, a Chichester-born singer-songwriter known for his heartfelt piano ballads and distinctive tone.
You may also know him from a certain John Lewis advert which made sure there were no dry eyes in the house.
The announcement follows a huge year for Tom Odell, who released his latest album A Wonderful Life and completed a major UK arena tour.
Known for his emotionally charged, piano‑led anthems, Tom Odell first rose to prominence after winning the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award in 2013 and has since become one of the UK’s most successful contemporary artists, with massive global hits like “Another Love”, which has now surpassed three billion streams on Spotify.
The ‘Another Love’ singer will perform on Saturday 4 July and will be supported by Matt Maltese.
Already announced for Sounds of the City are Dylan Gossett, Alabama Shakes, Wet Leg, The Human League and The Cribs.
The Millennium Square gigs are always fantastic fun, with previous acts including Blossoms, McFly and Mika bringing huge audiences to the city.
Tickets go on sale this Friday 6 February at 10am and you can get your tickets here.
Pre-sale starts this Thursday 5 February which you can access by signing up to Millennium Square's mailing list here.
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Featured image - Publicity Picture
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Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Emba will remain open until Saturday 1 March.
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Featured image - Emba
