Drinkers on Headingley's famous Otley Run pub crawl could face on-the-spot fines for anti-social behaviour.
The legendary bar crawl, consisting of up to sixteen pubs from Far Headingley to Leeds City Centre has come under fire in recent months for causing problems, often thought to be alcohol-related.
Local Labour councillor Neil Walshaw commented that the Otley Run is making "Headingley look like Magaluf".
The two mile bar crawl sees hundreds of fancy dress drinkers walking through Headingley each week. / Image: Commons Wikimedia
In a meeting yesterday, the councillor suggested that the fancy dress pub crawl was attracting a different crowd than its original audience, commenting:
"Judging from the hairlines and the waistlines, it’s not undergraduates- it’s Gavin and Gary from accounts who are coming back to relive their glory days of 10 years ago.
“But joking aside, it’s all led to some cases that we’re picking up of on-street harassment of female residents."
“On a Friday and Saturday, Headingley looks like Magaluf at times."
Head of Neighbourhoods at Leeds City Council, Claire Smith announces that the city is leading a "targeted response" to the issues raised and explained that a Public Space Protection Order in the area means that any alcohol-related problems could end with the perpetrators issued a fine.
It appears that a crackdown on the Otley Run is going to increase in importance of the council: "We're bringing that all together, a lot tighter than it was before, with the issues it's causing it's something we need to do."
Reports from the BBC and LeedsLive sharing the issue have been gathering the public's opinion on the comments shared by local councillors yesterday.
The first pub on the Otley Run, Woodies Craft Ale House / Image: wikimedia
One commented: "Here we go again LCC turning the city into a police state, thinking they have the right to infringe on peoples civil liberties. Its just a bunch of young kids having a beer and enjoying themselves, like we all did/do what's wrong with that?"
Whilst another suggested the Otley Run is simply "students enjoying a good time in difficult times."
Others made sure to explain a local's perspective: "For those of us who live and work in the area, we actually like to see people coming to do the Otley run".
Feature Image- Wikicommons
Leeds
Leeds’ first sauna and ice bath cafe is coming to the city centre this spring
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept is on its way.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast is gearing up to bring its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds will combine saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space will feature two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: Supplied
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
To suit different moods and preferences, Kontrast Leeds will include both a social sauna and a silent sauna, giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
Image: Supplied
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
The Leeds site builds on everything the team has learned from Kontrast in Manchester.
Alongside the core sauna, Ice, cafe offering, the new site will include improved facilities, more spacious sauna provision and additional ice baths meaning more room for people to get involved.
Myles Smith announces HUGE arena gig in Leeds this year
Thomas Melia
Singer-songwriter Myles Smith has just announced his biggest headline tour and is set to play a huge arena gig in Leeds this year.
Quit ‘Stargazing’ and get ready to fight for tickets as Myles Smith has just announced he’ll be visiting Leeds later this year for his biggest arena gig to date.
Known for hits like ‘Nice To Meet You’, ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’ and ‘Wait For You’, this BRIT School graduate is now heading on the road for some headline shows across the UK.
Recognised for his folk-pop sound, Smith has built quite a name for himself just three or so years into his career, with solo efforts and a few collaborations under his belt.
Myles Smith is heading to First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds, on tour this year / Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Recently, the Luton-born artist collaborated with some well-known names like Shaboozey on their track ‘Blink Twice’ and even features on a new single from former One Direction member Niall Horan titled ‘Drive Safe’.
It was only last year that the ‘Stargazing’ songwriter visited Leeds, bringing his high-energy hits to O2 Academy back in February.
Now, Smith is ready to tackle an arena crowd and has chosen Leeds First Direct Bank Arena and is expected to raise the roof when 13,500 fans flock to the star’s show this winter.
Titled after his upcoming album My Mess, My Life, My Heart, Smith will be playing a variety of well-known and brand new hits when he makes his way up North.
Fans who are signed up to the official artist presale can get exclusive access to tickets from Wednesday, 25 March at 10am, with the window closing on Friday, 27 March at 9am.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live by 10 am that same Friday (27 Mar).
Myles Smith is embarking on his ‘My Mess, My Life, My Heart’ tour this winter and visiting First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds on Sunday 8 November – tickets and more info HERE.
Sophie Smith -
22nd July 2022 
