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Old Chapel Music Studios needs your help to raise £9000 to secure its future in Leeds
Since launching its CrowdFunder, the studio has raised £2500, with the money raised going towards 'nullify the effects of increased rent for the next year - and settle a backdated claim for increased rent lodged by Czar St’s landlords'.
Musical home to Leeds' own Kaiser Chiefs and Pigeon Detectives and countless other artists, Old Chapel Music Studios has been making music accessible for all.
Formerly known as Parkside Studios, the CIC has been offering resources to local Holbeck residents and services to the wider Leeds areas for some 30 years now - but it's future is now uncertain.
Challenged by rising rent costs and the cost of living crisis, Old Chapel needs to raise £9000 in just a few weeks.
Since launching its CrowdFunder, the studio has raised £2500, with the money raised going towards 'nullify the effects of increased rent for the next year - and settle a backdated claim for increased rent lodged by Czar St’s landlords'.
Katie Hayes, CEO of Old Chapel Music CIC, said the following of the Crowdfunder:
“Thank you to those who have shared and donated so far. We’ve been serving the community for over 30 years now and never asked for any financial help in this time. We’ve supported numerous bands to start their careers in the industry, worked in partnership with other organisations and Charities such as Festival Republic on their Re:Balance programme to which we support women in the industry through training & mentoring while offering a safe space for individuals to grow and develop.
"The number and variety of free music workshops that have been on offer over the years, have helped both disadvantaged people and those with Mental Health and Learning Disabilities. We are not JUST at rehearsal and recording studio, we are so much more than this and I want to see the future, that we have planned for, continue and flourish for years to come.
"If we reach our crowdfunder target it will help us cover what we have paid out and by smashing the target we can continue delivering free music sessions, so please share our crowdfunder through your networks and if you can donate anything, that would be great.”
Everyone and anyone is welcome to use the facilities at Old Chapel Studios and the CIC has worked tirelessly to keep its prices affordable for musicians. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Gordon White, guitar tech for the likes of Richard Hawley and Noel Gallagher, works from Old Chapel Studios. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Old Chapel Studios has a history of bringing artists to life in a safe and welcoming environment and is offering a range of rewards for anyone that chooses to donate to the fundraiser, including t-shirts, private rehearsal sessions and recordings.
The studios explains that: "Old Chapel is registered as a Community Interest Organisation (CIC) which has 3 volunteer Directors, 2 part time staff and a pool of freelancers along with some hard working and very dedicated volunteers, who keep the doors open 7 days a week. Leeds Music Trust is our parent charity which comprises a Board of Volunteer Trustees, overseeing the work we do and making sure education and affordability to the community of Leeds, is at the forefront of all our work.
"Today the services we provide as a grassroots music community for amateur and professional musicians, young people and vulnerable adults wanting to learn or practice music have never been needed more. But, the current situation is challenging all the hard work we do."
A Leeds pizza takeaway has received a glowing review from popular review duo.
Edges Pizza opened up their first permanent spot in Leeds back in June this year, after making a name for themselves slinging out pizzas at multiple pop-ups across the city.
Owners Grace and Edge from Harrogate opened Edges Pizza two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their pizzas are a love letter to the class New York slice, think thin and crispy rather than chewy and floppy. But above all else, think absolutely delicious.
And now, they've caught the attention of a major review page, with Bite Twice Food Reviews (a page with almost 300k followers) paying Edges a visit.
The food review duo of Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany popped up in Holbeck beneath the arches to get their hands on a pizza, and the outcome is brilliant.
In the video, Bite Twice said that the pizza is 'f**cking exceptional' and up there with 'one of the best pizzas in the UK'.
Before even taking a bite, they said: "On aesthetic, I don't think anywhere in the UK is doing pizza like this".
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Then after the first bite, they go on to say: "There are very few pizzas in the UK that create this, I’m a little bit blown away".
As Londoners themselves, they go on to say that Edges is 'easily hitting with the best that we’ve got down south'.
And if that's not high praise enough, they sign off the video saying: "Leeds has got an absolute gem. I give this a stamp so hard my foot went through the pizza. Edges. Don Level."
The 42-year-old Kirkgate Market stall serving freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 a pop
Clementine Hall
Tucked away in Leeds Kirkgate Market you'll find a wonderful seafood stall selling freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 each.
It's places like these that remind us why we love Leeds so much.
Established in 1880, Hayes Seafood is widely regarded as the oldest trader within the historic Kirkgate Market.
For the past 42 years, it has been run by Cliff and Michelle, the loveliest couple who welcome every customer with open arms.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu here is small but perfectly formed, focusing on fresh, ready-to-eat seafood that you can enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise at most.
Delivered fresh every morning, there's pre-cracked crab shells, brown and white crab meat, cockles, crawfish tails - all perfectly prepared for you to eat at their bar or high tables opposite.
But, it's the oysters that you'll see people queueing for. And rightly so.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything here is prepared to order right in front of you, and for no extra fee. You can choose from two types of oysters: super salty Lindisfarne oysters or the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne.
We recommend having a couple of each, pulling up a stool right by the counter and getting stuck in. If you ask Cliff nicely, he might tell you a bit about the history of the place - but you may have to order a couple more oysters for that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You're left to dress them yourself, whether you prefer dash of fiery tabasco or a few pickled shallots. But to be honest, they're delicious just as they come.
This spot is a real piece of Leeds history, and the queues at lunchtime as well as the repeat regular customers proves just how special it is.
All it's missing is a champagne stall next to it...now wouldn't that be perfect?
Sophie Smith -
2nd August 2023 
