One of the biggest food and drink festivals in Leeds is returning to Roundhay Park this May for a huge summer party.
Now in it's 7th year, the family-friendly North Leeds Food Festival will run from Saturday 13 May – Sunday 14 May 2023 with artisan produce aplenty.
The festival is a highly anticipated event which foodies from across Yorkshire look forward to each year.
Named Market Street, stalls from independent craft and produce vendors will line the park with small batch goods, including Mallow Gourmet Marshmallows, Screaming Chimp Chilli Sauce and flavours from around the world.
Image: North Leeds Food Festival
Returning this year with highly-anticipated the Live Cookery Theatre, Leeds Cookery School will be rustling up some easy-to-make foodie specials for all ages to try whilst live chef demonstrations will allow you and your company to learn how to make speciality dishes from your own home.
If that’s not enough, there will be deckchairs aplenty to lounge on, independent bar service from Leeds favourite North Brew Co, with speciality cider, gin and wine bars- including some fresh Caribbean cocktail offerings.
Image: North Leeds Food Festival
Live music will keep the audience entertained from beginning to sunset and a host of family-friendly performers will ensure that all ages are left in awe or hysterics at their unique talents.
Additional family-friendly activities will also be held to raise funds for Leeds-based charity Leeds Mind, in previous years the festival has raised over £68,000 for mental health charities.
Image: North Leeds Food Festival
Michael Johnston, festival director, said: “We’re thrilled with the support we have received over the years. We’ve grown the offerings at the festival every year, and this year is no different. We’re adding a new interactive element, taking attendees on a tasting journey with food and drink experts from across the north."
For more information, including how to book your tickets for the food fest from Saturday 13 May – Sunday 14 May 2022 visit their website.
Strikes by almost 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are set to escalate.
If you're planning on catching a flight from Leeds Bradford Airport, then you may want to double check the date.
Last week it was announced that workers were set to strike and bring the airport to complete standstill in a dispute over pay.
Today it has been announced that thestrikes are set to escalate and a second set of strikes have been announced.
The Unite members planning on going on strike are a mixture of air traffic control workers, customer experience staff, security staff and cleaners.
The workers involved in the dispute have recently come out of a four-year pay deal, with some of the departments having fallen behind other airports in equivalent roles.
Pay talks have been happening since December 2025, with the airport's formal offer not going far enough to address the lack of pay parity.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "It is wrong that workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are paid far less than those doing the same job at another nearby airport.
"These are essential workers who play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of the airport and the safety of passengers and deserve fair pay. Unite will always fully back our members taking action at Leeds Bradford Airport.”
The original strikes were due to take place from 03:00 this Friday 16 October to 06:00 Sunday 18 October for hourly paid staff and from 06:00 Friday 16 October to 06:00 Sunday 18 October for air traffic control workers.
The next round of industrial action will now take place from Monday 23 October to Wednesday 2 November, which coincides with the busy half term period.
Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker said: “We appreciate those travelling to and from Leeds Bradford Airport will be concerned to hear that there are further strike dates, but the situation is completely the fault of the airport’s management. It can end this dispute, but that relies on it coming back to the table with a fair deal for our members.”
Beloved Leeds pub to undergo huge transformation following £230k investment
Clementine Hall
A Leeds pub has closed its doors for a major refurbishment, and will open under a completely different name.
The Mustard Pot in Chapel Allerton has received a whopping £230k investment, and is set to reopen as a ‘Grandstand’ sports pub.
The much-loved community pub will be completely transformed, with new features designed to deliver a 'stadium-style' sports experience.
The refurbishment will include the installation of multiple massive screens, an immersive state-of-the-art sound system, and flexible tiered seating.
The beer garden will also be refurbished, with new TV screens installed, whilst the interior will be decked out with sports memorabilia of local stars past and present.
Once reopened, the pub will show all key sporting fixtures, including football, rugby, cricket, tennis, F1, darts and horse racing.
Operations Manager, Zoe Eastwood, said: “We are so excited about the plans to re-open as a Grandstand pub. We know our locals are sporting mad and can’t wait to be able to offer them the best possible experience when they can visit us again.”
Local Leeds sports teams will be able to apply for a Grandstand ‘Black Card’, giving them access to exclusive offers and rewards for celebrating their wins at their new local.
The Grandstand transformation follows industry research revealing that 8.5 million consumers have watched live sport in pubs, with 86% of fans preferring sports pubs for their atmosphere.
The Mustard Pot has now closed for refurbishment and will reopen on Wednesday 4 November.
What do you make of this transformation then? Will you miss The Mustard Pot as you know and love it, or are you excited for the new concept?
You can find out more about the new space here via their website.
Clementine Hall -
2nd February 2023 
