Down on Kirkstall Lane sits a sad-looking abandoned pub that was once the life and soul of the party.
Kirkstall Lites has lain empty for years, but at one point it was packed to the rafters with locals enjoying a pint together and maybe even a boogie.
The purpose-built pub and bar first opened as a Tetley House in the 80s, replacing the then-recently demolished Abbey and Sovereign pub. By all accounts, it was very popular with locals and was generally ram-packed with drinkers on the weekends.
However, for various reasons including the rise in the popularity (and affordability)of drinking at home, the pub eventually closed its doors for good in 2004 having suffered a long decline in the years leading up to its final shuttering.
Having lain empty for more than a decade now, it's become somewhat of a mystery to those who pass by its desolate, boarded-up exterior. Keen to discover what it was like inside, urban explorer Kyle Urbex recently made it inside.
His pictures give a unique insight into how the pub looks today, seventeen years later. From its heyday as a popular Tetley pub to the abandoned and decaying building it is today, Kirkstall Lites has definitely had a fall from grace.
Still, there are some remnants to be seen from its glory days - captured wonderfully by photographer Kyle, right down to the pictures still tacked onto the walls from years gone by.
It's not the only pub to have suffered such a fate, with neighbouring boozers the George IV and a W.M. club also closing their doors in recent years.
local photographer, Thomas Ackroyd, has said that the pub as it is now "mirrors the rest of the area round there and is looking very tatty and now the metal boards of doom have replaced the wooden ones"
That said, when Kyle managed to make his way in he said he was "surprised" to find memories of happier days still tacked on to the walls.
Speaking to Leeds Live he also registered his shock that so many of its features remained intact, such as the "stage area where CJ's music bar once hosted many happy and wild nights and bands."
Another urban explorer, who runs the Facebook page Lost Places & Forgotten Faces, also visited the pub in June and shared his not-so-positive thoughts in a post on social media:
"The place is an absolute wreck. Fire damage, weather damage and chav damage have all collaborated to transform Kirkstall Lites into a crumbling death trap.
"Under all the destruction, I could just about make out what actually looked like a once fun and vibrant establishment for locals.
"Some photographic memories of happier times are still somehow clinging to the walls, and the brickwork in parts, especially the old fireplace, is actually holding up. It won't be long now before this one is ripped to the ground. What a shame."
Take a look around the pub by exploring Kyle's images below:
You can watch some of the year’s biggest blockbusters for just £4 this weekend.
That’s because, to celebrate National Cinema Weekend (5-6 September), Vue has announced that it’ll be offering cut-price tickets to everything from the latest blockbusters and family favourites, to indie horrors and classic re-releases so you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy the full cinematic experience this autumn.
Some of the highlights currently showing that you’ll be able to see for just £4 include summer hits like Spider-Man: Brand New Day, The Odyssey, and Toy Story 5, as well as the recent release of Ridley Scott’s latest film, The Dog Stars, starring Jacob Elordi.
Family favourites such as Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie, and Cars will also be screening over National Cinema Weekend.
Meanwhile, horror fans can also catch new releases Insidious: Out of the Further, and indie horror Leviticus, or see the year’s biggest horror hit, Obsession, if you haven’t already.
The best bit about the offer? It applies to every seat on every showing, all weekend long. Just pass us the popcorn now.
This means that film lovers can enjoy Vue’s biggest and comfiest seats, Ultra Lux, which are strategically positioned to give the best possible view of the big screen – with extra-wide armrests, back and leg rests that recline independently, a personal table for snacks and beverages, and a state-of-the-art wine cooler, all for just £4 each.
“We encourage everyone to make the most of the celebration and enjoy a film at Vue.”
National Cinema Weekend returns for 2026 this Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September, and you can book tickets on the Vue website here.
Major DJ has set cancelled as overcrowding concerns continue at Leeds Festival
Clementine Hall
After closing for the entire second day, The Warehouse stage at Leeds Festival has once again been forced to evacuate.
One of the most anticipated dance acts of the day has been cancelled due to health and safety concerns just moments before the set.
Sheffield DJ Silva Bumpa was due to take to The Warehouse stage today at 1:30pm, but the set was cancelled due to overcrowding.
It's not the first time this has happened at Leeds Festival 2026, as yesterday Omar+'s set was cancelled due to the same issue and the stage was subsequently closed for the rest of the day.
The Warehouse stage is completely new for this year, and supposedly is designed specifically for dance music...which is quite ironic.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Silva Bumpa said: "So so sorry Leeds Fest but due to over crowding my set was cancelled last min I was just behind the stage and got told right before such a massive shame."
Prospa, another prominent DJ who's set was cancelled at Reading on Friday afternoon, spoke up on the situation: "We are disappointed in The Warehouse stage closure at Reading Festival. We were told it wasn't possible to play whilst on the way. This was due to too many people outside the stage.
"We have seen this happen before at larger festivals in the UK. It's time to double the capacity of tents or put dance music on the main stage."
It comes after another dance stage, LS23, was closed mid-set last night due to a health and safety hazard when all the lights suddenly switched off and ravers were forced to evacuate.
If yesterday is anything to go by, we wouldn't be surprised if The Warehouse was closed for the rest of the day which means anticipated sets from Rossi and Mall Grab will also be cancelled.
Georgina Pellant -
3rd September 2021 
