A grandad in East Leeds has built the ultimate garden 'super pub' behind his house - and it looks absolutely incredible.
What started out as a 'man cave' building project for Richard Spear 4 years ago has become so much more, with his backyard build taking on a whole new life during the past year's successive lockdowns.
Initially, the plan was just to find somewhere quiet to put him and his pizza oven - but then the pubs closed, so he kept on building.
Finally finished after four years of construction, today the back garden pub is seriously impressive and could give a lot of places in Leeds a good run for their money.
Richard Spear and his wife Maria inside their garden 'super pub', the Taverna Mexicana
Called the Taverna Mexicana, it has its very own pizza oven, bar, dance floor, and a karaoke machine for the family to crank out the tunes on after a few bevies.
It also has a pool table, darts board, and three TV screens - perfect for watching the football together on.
There's a good selection of spirits on the bar, as well as several taps pouring beers and bitters like Stella Artois and Tetley's Bitter.
It really looks the part - right down to the branded drip mats laid on the wooden bar and a stack of pint glasses behind it/. .
The pub has disco lights and beer barrels with stools, to really give it that 'going out' feel - and out back, there's a smoker that Richard has built from an old filing cabinet, dart board and a table football game.
The pub took him four years to complete, growing over the years into the epic garden 'super pub' it is today.
The family regularly get together in the pub to watch the football or just have some quality time together
According to his family, it's "way better" than the real thing and has become the perfect place for them all to come together. His daughter Fiona Lyons, who lives next door, also loves not having to bother with getting a taxi home at the end of the night.
Speaking to Leeds Live, she said that the garden 'super pub' has been great for bringing their family and friends together and that they often gather at the pub to watch football matches and celebrate special occasions.
We have to say, we're pretty jealous and wouldn't mind something like this in our backgarden. Especially for watching the final on Sunday.
News
Yorkshire Wildlife Park shares major update after man killed in tiger attack
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has shared an update this afternoon, after a man died in a horrifying tiger attack at the zoo yesterday.
The wildlife park, which remains closed today, has informed customers of the future of the tiger involved, Altai.
Emergency services rushed to the park near Doncaster at around 1.30pm on Saturday, after reports of a man climbing into the tiger enclosure.
Tragically, the man involved in the tiger attack lost his life.
The zoo has said that its 'thoughts and heartfelt sympathies' remain with the man's family and loved ones.
They also said that its staff team have been left 'deeply affected' by the tiger attack and will be receiving specialist support.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has now shared that Altai, the male tiger in question, is 'safe and well' and will not be euthanised as a result of the incident.
In a statement, they said: "We would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concern following yesterday's tragic incident.
"Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly lost his life.
"The park will be closed today while the staff team who were deeply affected by events receive specialist support.
"Many, many people have contacted us about Altai, the tiger. We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident."
Leeds City Council confirms plans to repair historic Lower Kirkgate with work set to begin this month
Clementine Hall
Leeds City Council has confirmed that work to stabilise buildings on Lower Kirkgate is set to begin later this month, with repairs expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
Back in 2024, Lower Kirkgate in Leeds city centre was closed following the partial collapse of a building, leaving one of the city's oldest streets inaccessible.
Since then, the street has remained closed while plans were developed to address the structural issues affecting the buildings.
Now, almost two years after the initial incident, the council has confirmed that a contractor has been appointed to carry out the work.
The buildings are privately owned, but Leeds City Council says it will step in to carry out the stabilisation work to prevent further deterioration and protect the historic properties.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “We are pleased that, following months of careful planning and preparation, we are now in a position to begin stabilising these privately owned buildings.
“A contract has been awarded for the work, which is scheduled to get under way later this month and is expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
“It should be stressed that the situation on Lower Kirkgate is not of the council's making, with the owners of the buildings allowing their condition to deteriorate over many years and then failing to take the necessary steps to address the resultant structural issues.
“By stepping in and carrying out this work itself, the council will be able to arrest the deterioration of important heritage assets on one of Leeds’s oldest streets. As always, we thank the local community for their continued patience and support.”
Further details about the work, including when the street may be able to reopen, have not yet been confirmed.
Georgina Pellant -
8th July 2021 
