In a heartfelt statement, much-loved gallery and creative space The Tetley announced that its lease has come to an end, and as a result will be closing its doors later this month.
The exhibition space, Tiny Tetley play area and T Bar and Cafe will both close from Sunday 22 October 2023, but the building will remain open throughout November and December to host private events and honour existing bookings for building takeovers by community initiatives and festivals.
In 2024, The Tetley plans to continue its artistic programme, but will move off the site. Confirmed projects like Inside Out, 'a new participatory art project designed to facilitate children’s play in collaboration with communities and partner organisations in Beeston and Beeston Hill', will still take place.
This isn't the end for everything that The Tetley offers, but sadly it is the end of the creative space inside the former brewery building as we know it.
The company behind the brand, Project Space Leeds, hopes to announce plans for a new home in the future. The Tetley has said it will be "continuing its mission to create a platform for amazing emerging artists, present breathtaking free exhibitions and help communities and young people in Leeds find their creative voices".
The Tetley has told those interested in enquiring about the original Tetley building itself should contact Aire Park, the new neighbourhood that's opened adjacent to The Tetley.
The Tetley announced the news via Instagram explaining:
"We have some important news. After ten years here at The Tetley, we’ll be leaving our iconic building at the end of the year, as our lease comes to an end.
"Since opening as an art gallery in 2013, we’ve welcomed nearly a million visitors through our doors – and we’re immensely proud of everything we’ve achieved here.
"In the last ten years, we’ve presented 56 exhibitions, (including Yorkshire’s only Turner-prize winner!) and worked with more than 1200 artists – based locally, nationally and internationally.
"As well as our breathtaking programme of free exhibitions, and a busy events schedule of weddings, conferences and events, we also pride ourselves on engaging with our local communities.
"In the last year alone, the gallery’s under 5s play space, Tiny Tetley Studio, has welcomed more than 10,000 young children, parents and carers, and the gallery’s participation programme has engaged with 14,000 people, hosting community groups and organisations at the building and working offsite in south Leeds to bring creative projects to parks and community centres."
For all the information about The Tetley's announcement, you can read the full statement here.
About The Tetley
Located on Leeds’ South Bank on Hunslet Road, The Tetley has been housing a beautiful contemporary art gallery, but it was once the home of Leeds’ oldest brewing dynasties, synonymous with the city for over two centuries.
The brewery was founded by Joshua Tetley in 1822, when he bought the site for a mere £400. A few years later in 1839 he made his son, Francis William a partner, creating Joshua Tetley and Son.
At its peak, Tetley was Britain’s biggest cask ale brewery, employing thousands of people and owning around 1,000 pubs across England. In the 1980s, Tetley’s became the world’s largest producers of cask ale and was taken over by Carlsberg in 1988.
Unfortunately the brewery closed in 2011 and was demolished a year later, but the Leeds connection is maintained through the No.3 Pale Ale. The famous tipple is still being brewed in Leeds and uses the original recipe from 1868, using the same unique double strain of yeast that creates the distinctive, delicious taste we all know and love.
The building was transformed in 2013 and now hosts unique gallery spaces and studios for creatives to showcase their work.
Looking for the best bagels in Leeds? Look no further.
In honour of National Bagel Day, we've chosen five of our favourite cafes, shops and bodegas to get our hands on a delicious bagel.
Thought of as an iconic New York food, the big apple has done wonders for the reputation of this chewy, boiled breakfast snack - and it's even come over to Leeds, where there are plenty of bakers turning their hand to the humble bagel.
Whether you like yours slathered in cream cheese and loaded with smoked salmon, or kept simple with a lick of butter, keep reading to discover some of our top picks for the best bagels in Leeds.
Slow Rise Bakery
2a Sunnybank Ave, Horsforth, LS18 4LZ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
In the bagel game since 2014, where they learnt their trade assisting Berlin's formidable Fine Bagels, Slow Rise knows what they're doing when it comes to boiling bagels. Whilst they already supply wholesale to quite a few different places in Leeds, you can also find their famous bagels at their own cafe in Horsforth.
Served freshly toasted and stuffed with your choice of hummus, turkey, salt beef, pastrami; or salmon, or simply slathered in the likes of butter, cream cheese, or avocado, there are over twenty different ways to enjoy a bagel here. These are some of the best bagels in Leeds, no doubt about it.
Streetlane Bakery
Caretakers House, 399 Street Ln, Moortown, LS17 6HQ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This community bakehouse seemingly does it all, bagels included. These can be bought individually or in packs of six and are made fresh daily to a classic Jewish recipe, with flavours including plain, onion and poppy seed. Filling choices are quite limited if you're eating in, with options including Nutella and smoked salmon.
Fika North
94 Otley Rd, Headingley, LS6 4BA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Situated in the leafy suburb of Far Headingley, this speciality coffee shop also knows a thing or two about bagels. Served from 9 am - 3 pm daily, there are nine different options to choose from including nduja and avocado, rose harissa chickpeas with pink pickles and pea shoots, peanut butter and banana.
Alfonso's Deli
Grand Arcade, LS1 6PG
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you've got a hankering for a proper New York-style breakfast bagel, then the Grand Arcade is where you should be heading.
Relatively new to Leeds, Alfonso's breakfast bagels are the perfect hangover cure - loaded with hash browns, perfectly cooked eggs and dripping in melted cheese.
The Cheesy Living Co.
Oakwood and Pudsey
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You already know by now that everything that Jake and team at Cheesy Living Co. does is absolutley stellar, and their bagels are no exception.
Baked and boiled at their own bakery in town, they're then filled with whatever your heart desires and served with a coffee of your choice for just a tenner.
Yorkshire railways to receive huge investment as government unveils £45 billion Northern Powerhouse Rail project
Clementine Hall
Regional leaders have confirmed a rail project in the North of England with first improvements taking place in Yorkshire.
The long-awaited Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project will see a whopping £45 billion worth of upgrades.
The first phase will see the construction of a new station in Bradford followed by upgrades in Leeds, York and Sheffield.
The electrification of lines between Sheffield and Leeds, Leeds and York and Leeds and Bradford will be the first priority and is expected to be completed in the 2030s.
The scheme has been described as "a once in a generation commitment to improving transport across the North".
Announcing the scheme, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "I spent three happy years in Leeds as a university student, a vibrant city I was proud to call home, but I've seen first-hand what underinvestment and empty pledges do to cities across the North.
"This government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change for millions of people through a major new rail network across the North that will deliver faster, more frequent services."
"This cycle has to end. No more paying lip service to the potential of the North, but backing it to the hilt. That's why this government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change for millions of people through Northern Powerhouse Rail: a major new rail network across the North that will deliver faster, more frequent services."
Stage two of the plan will include upgrades around Manchester, with the final stage delivering a new railway between Bradford and Huddersfield that wouldn't be delivered until the 2040s.
In a combined statement, the regional mayors of West, South and North Yorkshire said: "The long-term commitment will transform Yorkshire's transport network and deliver improved links across our region and on to Manchester, Liverpool, and Newcastle.
"It'll mean we can deliver quicker, more reliable journeys, opening up more choice around work, skills and opportunity for everyone across Yorkshire."
Sophie Smith -
29th September 2023 
