The decision to withdraw the application was officially announced yesterday.
After months of deliberation, and lots of divided opinions amongst locals, the application to build a McDonalds on Otley Road in Headingley, slap bang in the middle of the Otley Run, have been withdrawn.
An application was originally made in August 2022, where the popular fast food chain applied for permission to open a new branch in Headingley along the infamous bar crawl route.
The new branch would be taking over the empty HSBC bank on Otley Road which has been empty for over five years.
The proposed McDonalds site. / Image: Google Maps
Interestingly, it was reported that the McDonalds opening had hoped to open entirely as a takeaway and delivery station. The idea would have been that those wanting to grab a Big Mac on their way back from work or mid-pub crawl would have ordered, but had nowhere to sit to eat their food.
Local councillors highlighted that "the potential for cars blocking Otley Road to pick up orders, in addition to the amount of new litter created as many people would have just eaten outside, made this a ridiculous location for this proposal".
It is no doubt that the Otley Run, otherwise known as the Headingley Mile, already causes anti-social drunken behaviour, with flocks of students embarking on the mammoth crawl spanning over 2.3 miles and consisting of 15 different venues.
However, the takeout would have created around 80 jobs, including 30 full-time positions for the local community- leaving many locals with mixed views about whether or not the fast food joint should open.
The impact on the Otley Run pub crawl was a consideration point for the public. / Image: Commons Wikimedia
Whilst all of this has been going on, another worldwide burger chain, Burger King has been granted permission to build a new eat-in restaurant. This was reportedly because it will offer no delivery options and eat-in only options.
Whilst the saga is over for the time being, it has to be noted that a new amended application could still be put forward, should McDonalds decide to find work-arounds for the problems the council found with the application.
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.
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.”
Sophie Smith -
10th February 2023 
