The much-loved landmark in the heart of the city is set to undergo a huge transformation.
If you've ever wondered through town, particularly around Wellington Street, there's no doubt you will have seen the beautiful Met Hotel building.
The hotel has stood as a symbol of grandeur and elegance since 1899, and now plans for a major refurbishment have been announced to bring The Met Hotel into the modern day.
Set to complete in November this year, the restoration plans centre around preserving the building's historic features, while introducing thoughtfully curated interiors and an elevated hospitality experience.
Image: Supplied
There will also be a brand new restaurant and bar which will fit into the hotel's new aesthetic.
Opening in the late 1800s, the 125-bedroom hotel has welcomed guests for over a century.
Designed by local architects, it is renowned for its distinctive Victorian terracotta facade and stone cupola, taken from the city’s demolished 4th White Cloth Hall.
Image: Supplied
But do not worry, the new design will respect this original Victorian architecture, reinterpreting it through a contemporary lens. So no, we won't be saying goodbye to the iconic burnt terracotta facade - phew.
Mike Liddle, General Manager at The Met Hotel says: “We’re incredibly proud to be breathing new life into The Met, a building that holds such historic significance in Leeds. This refurbishment marks the beginning of an exciting new era, one that honours the hotel’s legacy while reimagining it for the modern traveller.
"Our vision is to create a destination that reflects the energy of the city, with beautifully designed interiors, vibrant communal areas, and an elevated guest experience at its core.”
To find out more, take a look at The Met Hotel's website.
The Reliance, a much missed North Street site, is being brought back to life as The Smithfield.
The Smithfield is set to be a new social eatery and pub focused on seasonal, produce-led dining.
Set to open its doors to the people of Leeds in early April, The Smithfield will pay homage to the local area through both its produce and people.
The venue will focus on proper plates of seasonal ingredients, pairing a relaxed dining style with a strong sense of community. Sounds pretty brilliant if you ask us.
Building on the legacy of North Street, The Smithfield is a collaborative project between Yorkshire brewery Crooked Brewing and chef James Donovan.
Images: Supplied
Steve Dawson, co-founder of Crooked Brewing, has long admired The Reliance and want to build on its established legacy.
“What The Reliance was doing was cutting edge for its time,” says Donovan. “We want to bring that same vision and energy into Leeds in 2026. Our aim is to pick up the culinary torch that The Reliance left behind and continue its legacy of great food in Leeds,” adds Dawson.
The Smithfield takes its name from Church Street’s historic connection to the Smithfield cattle market of the early 1800s, once located on what is now Lovell Park.
“We really want the people around us to feel that The Smithfield is their space,” says Dawson. “We want to give them a place at our table.”
We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we know, but we're very excited indeed.
Jungle are back and have announced a huge Leeds gig for later this year
Daisy Jackson
Modern funk and soul band Jungle are officially heading back to Leeds.
The Mercury Prize-nominated group will be performing at the First Direct Bank Arena this November, following their blistering summer on the festival circuit last year.
They'll be heading to Leeds on Saturday 21 November 2026.
Jungle was formed back in 2013 by producers and friends Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland.
While they technically worked as a duo for years (until 2023, when touring member Lydia Kitto became an official member of the band), Jungle are known for their huge live performances.
They always fill stages with musicians and vocalists, for incredible funk n soul live shows.
The bands huge hits include Back on 74, Casio, and Busy Earnin’, from four top-10 albums including 2023’s groundbreaking Volcano.
The upcoming Leeds date forms part of the band’s upcoming world tour, which arrives in the UK in November 2026 following a string of international performances across Europe, North America, and beyond.
Fans can expect a setlist jam packed with standout tracks, including fan favourites such as ‘Volcano’ and ‘Back On 74’ and newer material from their upcoming album ‘Sunshine’, released on 14 August that continues to push the band’s signature sound forward.
With over 3.4 billion streams to their name, Jungle’s Leeds show is set to be one of the hottest tickets of 2026 so we wouldn't mess about if we were you.
Tickets for Jungle in Manchester will go on general sale from 10am on Friday 27 March, with pre-sale from 10am on Thursday 26 March.
Clementine Hall -
6th August 2025 
