Roxys unveil Leeds first ice-free curling rink- and it's opening next month
We really can't contain our excitement for this one.
Anyone living in Leeds will know the exhilaration of rolling a strike at Roxy Lanes, killer cocktail in hand as screams of applause fill the room. Meanwhile, there's beer pong balls flying around everywhere. On the other side of the room, there's bartenders aplenty pouring our favourite drinks quickly enough that we can join the next round of shuffleboard without losing our place in the queue.
Simply, it's a place of social gathering that we all know and love for its never-ending list of activities and incredible drinks.
The Roxy bar is always the place to be in Leeds on a Friday night for a fun-filled night.
It's our go-to spot for first dates and work socials, safe in the knowledge there will be no awkward pauses and if in doubt, you can grab a bowling ball and create something to talk about.
Now, in its biggest move to date, Roxy Lanes will be opening a giant new venue, spread across multiple storeys, and giving us more room than ever before to kick back, relax and join the everlasting party inside their four walls.
The classic Long Island will be available at the new Roxy venue.
The new venue, set to open this February at The Light, will have Leeds' first ice-curling rink- and we're super excited to add this to our Roxy’s checklist upon our next visit.
Slide stones down the smooth surface and try to hit the bullseye and become the champion at one of the only rinks of its kind in the UK.
Luckily, any anticipated snow for the next month will remain outside as Roxy are implementing an ice-free curling lane. This one-of-a-kind experience will be the first to permanently set up in our city centre and we can't wait to see how this innovative idea will come to life.
There will be not one, but two lanes of ice-free curling at the new Roxy Lanes.
As a result of opening this giant venue, Roxy’s latest venture will be bowling their balls for the last time at their Bond Street location and retiring the venue to make way for another exciting new venture.
The new 15,000 square foot venue at The Light is replacing former student-hangover-haven, Red Hot Buffet, which closed back in 2021. Given the huge space that Roxy now have on their hands, it really makes sense to bring the best of their new venue, a mere 0.3 miles from their old Bond Street location.
For an extra five minutes’ walk, guests will be impressed by a menu of craft beers to cocktails and spirits, before heading on to play some games.
In the basement, the dedicated game station will be waiting for those who dare to win. Ten bowling alleys, two duckpin bowling lanes, shuffle boards, American pool tables, beer pong and then there's the new ice-free curling rink upstairs.
It's a place for the whole family until 5pm to kick back with some light entertainment and competitive action, or to watch live BT and Sky Sports match broadcasts in the upstairs bar area if that's their preferred past time.
Once it's dark out, expect the shot to go flying and that wild, fun-loving atmosphere that we all know and love from Roxys to return to all three storeys of the venue.
There's only a few more weeks to wait until the opening.
Roxy Lanes at The Light on Headrow will open to public on 11th February.
For more information, you can visit the Roxy Lanes Instagram page or keep an eye on our socials- we'll be bringing you plenty of updates on our experience once the new venue opens.
News
Plans to turn one of Leeds’ most historic buildings into padel courts approved
One of Leeds’ most iconic buildings is set to be brought back to life.
Plans for a brand-new padel and leisure destination at The Roundhouse on Wellington Road have been approved by Leeds City Council’s West Plans Panel.
Consent has been granted for Ollo Padel to transform the Grade II* listed Roundhouse into a state-of-the-art sport, fitness, food, drink and community venue subject to conditions and completion of a Section 106 agreement.
Built in 1847 for the Leeds and Thirsk Railway Company, The Roundhouse was once home to the steam locomotives that powered industrial Victorian Leeds. In recent years, the building has stood largely unused.
Image: Supplied
The approved plans will restore and protect the landmark building and give the site a new, long-term future as one of the city’s most distinctive leisure destinations.
The three-acre site, located on the edge of Leeds city centre, will include nine outdoor doubles padel courts under a 10-metre canopy, plus a dedicated indoor coaching court within The Roundhouse itself.
At the heart of the site will be the Ollo Clubhouse; built around an all-day kitchen and bar, it will combine a comfortable lounge and co-working space, meeting rooms and live sport and events spaces.
The kitchen and bar will be run in partnership with Southbank Provisions, the independent Leeds hospitality team behind Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Galleria whilst the gym will be operated by fitness and performance specialists Northbound, who will bring strength and conditioning practice, Hyrox training and pilates classes to The Roundhouse.
Image: Supplied
Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the venue aiming to open in early 2027.
Luke Gidney, Founder & CEO Ollo Padel: "This is a huge day for Leeds, for The Roundhouse and for Ollo. The Roundhouse has been part of the city’s story for nearly 180 years. It’s an incredible building but it needs people, energy and purpose again. Our plan is to bring it back to life as a place where people can play, eat, work, meet friends and feel part of something.
"Padel is growing so quickly because it’s fun, social and easy to pick up. But for us, this is about more than just the courts. We want Ollo to become a proper community destination for Leeds, somewhere welcoming, joyful and full of life.
"We’re incredibly grateful to Leeds City Council’s planning team, our case officer, the wider council team and everyone who has supported the project to this point. This has been a complex project but the sport and engagement throughout has been brilliant. Now the real work starts and we cannot wait to open the doors for you.”
New study crowns Leeds as one of the friendliest cities in the UK
Clementine Hall
New research has revealed a global ranking of cities with the best customer service, with Leeds taking one of the top spots.
If you've been wondering which cities across the world are the friendliest of them all, then look no further because MoneySuperMarket have done the work for us in a new study.
In a world where social media culture plays a huge part in people's lives, online customer reviews are pretty important to local businesses.
To uncover the global locations that are home to the best customer service, the businesses insurance experts analysed over 100,000 reviews of leisure and hospitality businesses in 107 cities worldwide.
They looked at the language in the reviews to see how often friendly workers and staff were mentioned, building a global ranking of the cities where customer service truly stands out.
Out of a whopping 107, Leeds came in at a very respectable number 12. Now we think that's pretty good going.
Outside of the UK, Hanoi, Paris, Montreal and Abu Dhabi were highlighted for their friendly customer service whilst Edinburgh tops the global ranking, with Liverpool, Birmingham and Bristol also making the world’s top 10.
The top 10 cities in the UK with the best customer service are as follows:
Edinburgh
Liverpool
Birmingham
Bristol
Belfast
Leeds
Glasgow
Cardiff
Manchester
London
Alicia Hempsted spoke on the study: “As businesses grow and engage with more customers, it’s important to make sure they’re protected. Public liability insurance is an important safeguard for those working with the public, helping to cover costs if something goes wrong, while also showing customers that their experience is taken seriously - from the moment they walk through the door to long after they’ve left.”
Sophie Smith -
21st January 2022 
