Don't be sad because it's over, smile because it happened...
Yep we know, we're just as sad as you are that the summer is slowly waving us goodbye.
But, here to give it the farewell it truly deserves is the brilliant Tower Works Street Fest that is returning this weekend for the final time of 2025.
The much-loved festival is returning to Leeds from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 September, bringing food, drink, music and live entertainment to Leeds’ bustling South Bank.
Image: Supplied
Held in Verona Square, just off Globe Road and seconds away from the station, Tower Works Street Fest has been a highlight of the summer's calendar since April, running every first weekend of the month.
And the September finale promises to be the biggest celebration yet.
Visitors can expect a wide variety of food and drink on offer, from Little Bubble Box’s signature bubble waffles and teas to the award-winning dim sum of Siu Mai Bar and Venezuelan dishes from 7 Star Flag.
Independent bars including Vintrobar, The Reserve Cocktail Bar and Reggae Rum Shack will be serving drinks throughout the weekend, alongside a makers’ market featuring sweet treats, crafts and flowers from local artisans.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
There will also be plenty of entertainment, with live music from Danny Charles on Friday evening and Jake Keating on Saturday.
Michael Johnston, Tower Works Street Fest Production Manager, said: “This final weekend is shaping up to be the biggest yet. Visitors can expect incredible food and drink, artisan markets, local musicians and plenty of space to relax. It’s the perfect way to round off the summer in Leeds.”
Louise Larking, director at Fox Lloyd Jones, said: “It’s fantastic to showcase the local traders of Leeds in one setting, as well as inviting people down to the Tower Works scheme to see the permanent businesses there such as Bake and Emba.
"The street fest has been a fantastic addition to the community at the scheme, and I urge people looking for their new business home to seriously consider joining this growing community.”
If it's good enough for Anton Stach, then it's good enough for us.
Well, it really is the signing that nobody saw coming...and it’s happening right opposite the station.
Meat:Stack, the Newcastle-born, award-winning burger joint on Bishopgate Street in Leeds, is giving the people what they want - a burger with Anton Stach’s name on it.
Introducing ‘The Moustachi Burger', officially launching Tuesday 18 August where Anton Stach himself will be down at Meat:Stack to meet United fans, sign autographs and, of course, tuck into his very own creation.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Even better, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Elhadj Diouf Foundation (EDF), a charity chosen by Stach that supports children through education.
Not only that, but it's a great opportunity to support Meat:Stack that has been suffering from the ongoing road works for months on end now.
So really, you've got no excuse to come down and tuck into the special which will be available through the opening weeks of the season.
Anton Stach, Leeds United and Germany midfielder, added: “Leeds has felt like home from very early on, and a lot of that is the people and the places around the ground, the businesses fans go to before and after a game. Meat:Stack is one of them, and they’ve had a hard time with the building work on their doorstep. The Moustachi Burger is a lovely nod to my YouTube channel too.
"This is a team on the rise in a city on the comeback, and support has to go both ways. I wanted to back a business Leeds fans care about and raising money for a foundation my family has given so much to at the same time means everything. I’ll be there on the 18th, bring your appetite.”
Independent Leeds coffee shop crowned one of the UK’s best for 2026
Clementine Hall
A list of the UK's best independent coffee shops for 2026 has been released, and one in Leeds has come up trumps.
The coffee shop in question may come as no surprise to some of you, as some would say that after 15 years in the city it's become somewhat of an institution.
Of course it's none other than Laynes.
Founded in 2011 by Dave Olejnik, Laynes began life on New Station Street and quickly became one of the first venues in Leeds to focus on carefully sourced and roasted coffee beans, helping lead the way for the city's now-thriving independent coffee scene.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's a proper Leeds staple at this point, sat proudly with its glowing yellow exterior and queues out the door full of punters looking for their morning caffeine fix.
But it's not just us who think it's flipping fantastic, as a new study has revealed the top 10 most popular independent coffee shops in the country and Laynes comes in at a very respectable number 8.
The list, made by Capital on Tap, analysed coffee across the UK looking at Google reviews, monthly searches and social media success.
Laynes was in some pretty good company including Idle Hands in Manchester and Kaf Coffee in Glasgow. But most importantly, none of the top 10 were in London - make of that what you will.
The top 10 most popular independent coffee shops for 2026:
Neighbourhood Café, Belfast
Colonna & Small’s, Bath
Established Coffee, Belfast
Hard Lines Coffee, Cardiff
Rough Handmade, Liverpool
Idle Hands Coffee, Manchester
Full Court Press, Bristol
Laynes Espresso, Leeds
Kaf Coffee, Glasgow
Dom’s Coffee, Cambridge
Bravo Laynes, a well earned accolade for one of our favourite spots in the city.