It's the first time the site will have seen any form of refurbishment since 2005.
We've all had a stroll through the St John's Centre at one point in our Leeds life.
Wether it's posting a letter in the Post Office, grabbing some CDs from HMV or getting your beauty essentials from Bodycare - it's a Leeds staple that has stood on the Headrow since 1985.
And this is the first time it will have a refurbishment since 2005.
The plans submitted will see the old office spaces into new purpose-built student accommodation.
There would be 287 high-quality student bedrooms, including 170 studios and 117 bedroom clusters, all with access to 78 cycle parking spaces.
Image: Global
And it doesn't stop there, the central courtyard of St Johns, currently used for car parking, would become a private roof garden for residents of the building.
The new proposals would also see the entire complex get a makeover fit for the 21st century, helping to create a more attractive street scene, complete with new landscaping and tree planting.
Senior Development Manager at Global Mutual, Brett Radley, explained, “As student numbers continue to rise, there is a continued demand for new student accommodation to support the vibrancy of the city’s universities and reduce the pressure on family housing from students in search of somewhere to call home whilst they study.
"This part of the city centre has become increasingly popular for the development of new student accommodation, given its location close to university campuses, city centre amenities and Leeds train station.”
“Sustainability is central to our plans, which is why we’re aiming to convert and repurpose the existing office space, rather than demolish it and start again. This will significantly reduce the carbon emissions that are typically associated with new major building projects."
A public consultation has already been held at St John's Centre already, but a full planning will be submitted to Leeds City Council in the coming months.
The Lunar New Year is here - how are you planning to celebrate the Year of the Horse?
Tuesday 17 February is a date you'll want to have marked in your calendar, regardless of whether you're celebrating the Lunar New Year or not. The date marks the first day of the the year in the lunar calendar, and as such is a time to celebrate.
Leeds, as always, is bringing the best of the new year in with hearty menus, killer cocktails and a whole range of dining options made especially to help you celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Here's our top picks for foodies to enjoy during the Lunar New Year.
Bánh & Mee
Open from 11am | Inside Leeds Kirkgate Market
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Serving up traditional Banh Mi with Siagon Noodles, Pho and summer rolls aplenty, Banh & Mee has become a real city centre staple - and it's easy to see why.
Celebrating the Lunar New Year with a giant balloon mascot called Chilli, hungry diners are invited to head down for a taste of authentic Vietnamese food this weekend, and make sure to try some of Mama Nguyen’s 3rd generation broth, noodle soup.
A hidden gem sitting in plain sight, Wen’s feels like one of those ‘if you know, you know’ spots and we are certainly all the better for knowing.The menu is extensive and allows for multiple visits to try out all of the goodness on offer, and we are certainly not complaining.
The portions are generous and perfect for sharing, Wen’s is the place to bond with friends and family over wonderful food that won’t set you back a pretty penny. And if you need any help choosing from the menu, The Dandan Noodles can only be described as a hug in a bowl, served swimming in a bowl of rich, savoury broth and topped with a mound of delicious pork mince and crunchy spring onions.
Tattu
Open from 12pm | East Parade, Leeds city centre
Image: The Hoot Leeds
As one of four locations in the UK, Tattu Leeds hosts a range of cuisine, including the Char Sui Monkfish with a delicious honey glaze, served with morning glory, caramel orange and pickled cucumber, which is due to land on their menu soon. Cocktail-wise, you're really spoilt for choice, but one to take advantage of during the new year celebrations is the gin, almond, lemon, umeshu and jasmine tea combination that makes up Firecracker, which is said to be inspired by the dance of the dragons.
Little Bao Boy
North Brewing Tap Room, Leeds city centre
Those steamed dumplings that we all know and love are a variation of a dish called mantou from Northern China and Little Bao Boys have got the modern version down to a tee. You'll find them at either North Brew Co venue in the city centre and we guarantee their small but tasty menu will have something for everyone.
MANS Market
Friday 20 January - Sunday 22 January 2023 | West Point, Wellington Street
Celebrating Chinese New Year with traditional cuisine is our favourite hidden Chinese restaurant, Mans Market. Tucked away downstairs in the city centre, their authentic menu has always got us wanting more and no doubt their new year menu will be just the same.
Crown Hot Pot
Open from 12pm | Back Blenheim Terrace, Woodhouse
Hidden inside a supermarket across the road from University of Leeds’ Parkinson Building, Crown Hot Pot is the true definition of a hidden gem.
Here, you get the chance to cook your own food- and all within seconds of entering the boiling dish. The idea is that each table orders from a seemingly endless choice of meats, served by the metre, and then select smaller portions of noodles, salads and dumplings to compliment the serving.
Take your heatproof chopsticks and dunk each meat into the bubbling pot and watch an near-instant transformation from raw pinks to juicy cooked meats. We’re talking 10-20 seconds for pork, and just a few minutes for sausages and meatballs: it’s truly a blink and you’ll miss it experience. Prawns and pork belly both come highly recommended, but Crown Hot Pot truly match your meaty preferences to ensure that each member of your table is well-fed.
Maxi's Rotisserie
Open from 11am, Kirkgate market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking for some real authentic Cantonese cuisine then there's no where better than Maxi's in Kirkgate market. The best roasted meats, french toast and comforting steamed dumplings. Make sure you've got your wallet with you though, as they only take cash.
Noodle House
Upper Briggate
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking for fresh, handmade noodles and banging roast meats then you can't go wrong with Noodle House. It's got a huge menu to choose from and plenty of seats for you to sit back and relax whilst tucking into some authentic grub.
Featured images - The Hoot Leeds
Leeds
Jack Whitehall announces huge Leeds gig as part of brand-new stand-up tour
Clementine Hall
British comedy legend Jack Whitehall is making a triumphant return to Leeds' First Direct Bank Arena.
He'll be bringing his brand-new stand-up tour Jack Whitehall: Bad Influence to Leeds on Saturday 6 February 2027.
The award-winning comedian is heading back on the road for a huge national arena tour that promises bigger laughs than ever before, so get ready to laugh your socks off.
Fresh from starring in crime thrilller Malice on Prime Video and stepping into the spotlight as host of The BRIT Awards, Jack Whitehall is returning to what he does best - live comedy.
Audiences can expect classic Whitehall awkward storytelling, and quick witted observations that has made him one of the UK’s most loved stand-up comedians.
Bad Influence will showcase brand-new material that has been specifically written for 2027.
Jack Whitehall Bad Influence tour dates:
January 2027
Thursday 7 January – Utilita Arena, Newcastle Saturday 9 January – Co-op Live, Manchester Sunday 10 January – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool Tuesday 12 January – Playhouse, Edinburgh Wednesday 13 January – Playhouse, Edinburgh Thursday 14 January – OVO Hydro, Glasgow Saturday 16 January – Utilita Arena, Birmingham Sunday 17 January – Swansea Building Society Arena Wednesday 20 January – Plymouth Arena Thursday 21 January – Plymouth Arena Friday 22 January – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham Saturday 23 January – Utilita Arena, Cardiff Thursday 28 January – Brighton Centre Friday 29 January – Brighton Centre Saturday 30 January – The O2, London
Feburary 2027
Tuesday 2 February – BIC, Bournemouth Wednesday 3 February – Utilita Arena, Sheffield Thursday 4 February – Connexin Live, Hull Saturday 6 February – First Direct Arena, Leeds Sunday 7 Feburary – Vaillant Live, Derby
Jack Whitehall tickets at Leeds' First Direct Bank Arena are available on general sale on this Friday 20 February at 10am. You can get your tickets HERE.
Clementine Hall -
29th April 2024 
