News

This giant indoor water park and spa is opening an hour from Leeds in 2023

Therme Manchester will have over 35 water slides, 25 swimming pools, a maze of water lagoons and a swim up bar.

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 19th October 2021

An incredible water park and spa is arriving near Leeds in 2023.

Located less than an hour from Leeds city centre, this amazing resort is set to include a range of water slides, pools, wellness areas, a sauna, adults-only bar area and more.

Replacing the current EventsCity building in Trafford, Manchester, the three-storey resort will be spread across 28 acres (that's 19 football pitches).

Therme Manchester is the latest in the regeneration of the Trafford Centre's ground, with a £60 million surfing lagoon also recently announced in the area.

pool and palm trees
The huge development is based on Therme Bucharest, which opened in 2016. / Image: Therme Manchester

The huge site will be fully equipped to host the entire family. A dedicated family zone will have 25 swimming pools attached, a wave pool and more than 35 water slides.

For grown ups wanting to appreciate a relaxing day by the pool without a scream or splash in sight, the adults section will include a maze of water lagoons, mineral bars, swim up bars and 30 steam rooms and saunas.

The rose-shaped 'well-being garden' offers the best of both: mesmerising water features and bio-diverse plants shape the palm tree relaxation area and give all ages a chance to unwind in comfort.

Therme Manchester will be twice the size of the Bucharest version. / Image: Therme Manchester

The new venture will be the second in the Therme's current venue in Bucharest, which opened in 2016, making this the most ambitious new attraction in Europe since the opening of Disneyland Paris in 1992.

It is expected to attract two million visitors annually and make wellness accessible for all, according to Richard Land, Chief Development Officer of Therme Group UK.

Given it will take less than an hour to travel from Leeds city centre to this incredible new attraction, you can bet we'll be the first to dive into the waterpark in 2023.

Featured Image- Therme Manchester

News

The Government wants the public to help decide if children should be banned from social media

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Should there be a minimum age to access social media? Should children be banned all together? The Government is asking the public to help decide.

In case you missed it earlier last month, the Government announced a social media crackdown in a bid to keep children safe amid rapid technology changes – with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying he was looking to take ‘immediate action’ to make the online world safer for young people.

The new measures announced included a crackdown on ‘vile’ illegal content created by AI, as well as ‘fast action’ to shut a legal loophole and force all AI chatbot providers to abide by illegal content duties in the Online Safety Act or face the consequences of breaking the law.

It was also hinted at that setting a minimum age limit for social media – which Australia famously became the first country to do so last year – could be on the cards, and also the restricting of other harmful features like infinite scrolling.

The Prime Minister insisted that ‘no platform gets a free pass’.

And now, it’s your turn – parents, guardians, and young people across the UK are being urged to shape the country’s next steps on children’s digital wellbeing, as the Government has today (2 March 2026) opened what is said to be the the world’s most ambitious consultation on social media.

The consultation will aim to gather insights from the public on how to keep children safe online across social media, AI chatbots, and gaming platforms.

The Government has launched a consultation on banning social media for children / Credit: Julian Christ (via Unsplash)

“Millions of parents across the country worry about what social media is doing to their children’s sleep, concentration, and mental health,” the Government said in a announcing the launch of the consultation.

Many parents and campaign groups have called for an outright ban on social media for under-16s, however, others – including leading children’s charities like UNICEF – have warned that a blanket ban could drive children towards ‘less regulated’ corners of the internet, or leave teenagers unprepared for when they do come online.

This is why the Government says its consultation ‘looks beyond a ban’ and instead covers a full range of options – from curfews, to the impact of chatbots and gaming.

It also asks the questions about how any new rules would work in practice, in a bid to make sure they are effective.

On the social media side of things, three main questions are being posed in the consultaion:

  • Should there be a minimum age for social media, and if so, what age would be right?
  • Should platforms be required to switch off addictive features that keep children hooked late into the night – like infinite scrolling and autoplay?
  • And whether mandatory overnight curfews would help children sleep better, and what age they should apply to?

Speaking on the launch of the consultation today, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Technology is fundamentally changing childhood. Used well, it can open up new opportunities for learning, creativity and connection, but only if we get the balance right.

“That is why we want to hear directly from parents, teachers and young people about how we strike that balance and give children the very best childhood in a digital age.”

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall added: “We know parents everywhere are grappling with how much screen time their children should have, when they should give them a phone, what they are seeing online, and the impact all of this is having.

“This is why we’re asking children and parents to take part in this landmark consultation on how young people can thrive in an age of rapid technological change.”

The consultation is now live, and you can have your say here.

Read more: Conan Gray AND Jacob Alon join Lewis Capaldi’s Roundhay Festival line-up

Featured Image – Robin Worrall (via Unsplash)

News

Conan Gray AND Jacob Alon join Lewis Capaldi’s Roundhay Festival line-up

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

US pop star Conan Gray and BRIT award winner Jacob Alon join the line-up for Lewis Capaldi's headline date at Roundhay Festival.

Leeds' Roundhay Park is welcoming back live music to its grounds this summer for two outdoor gigs headlined by Lewis Capaldi and Pitbull titled Roundhay Festival, with special guests slowly being announced.

Gray is recognised for standout tracks like 'Heather' and 'Maniac' while Alon has built a cult following of fans around their indie tunes like 'Fairy in a Bottle' as well as 'Liquid Gold 25'.

Jacob Alon has been showing off their artistry within the indie music scene thanks to their 2025 LP In Limerence catching the attention of many in the process.

This album has gone onto attract widespread love from music listeners and even industry professionals bagging themselves their first-ever BRIT award nomination and win - The Critics' Choice award.

Conan Gray AND Jacob Alon join Lewis Capaldi's Roundhay Festival line-up / Credit: Supplied via Press Shots

Conan Gray started out covering other artists hits before creating some of his own and releasing debut studio album Kid Krow back in 2020.

The project has production credits shared between Gray and Dan Nigro, Grammy-winning producer who has worked with Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, Lorde and more.

It's always exciting hearing updates like these, but this one is even more impressive as it's not just one stellar act joining the Roundhay Festival line-up but two, with further acts to be announced.

The almost 70,000 crowd who are heading down to Roundhay Festival when Lewis Capaldi makes his way to Leeds next summer are going to be blessed with some phenomenal live music. 

This year marks American Express Presents Roundhay Festival first year with two star-studded dates fronted by powerhouse performers with the second show fronted by Pitbull and special guest Kesha.

These events have been organised with Leeds City Council and are expected to bring benefits to the local area by employing local suppliers, staff and boost spending on accommodation, food and entertainment.

Conan Gray and Jacob Alon will play alongside Lewis Capaldi at Roundhay Festival in Leeds on Saturday 4 July 2026 with tickets available HERE.

Read more: Turnstile to play their only UK headline show this year at Halifax Piece Hall

Featured Images - Supplied via Press Shots

More News

Leeds

Award-winning vintage retailer announces new store in Leeds city centre

Leeds

Leeds Pride 2026 announces dates and first wave of acts for 20th anniversary celebration this summer

Feature

Five of the best new openings to come out of Leeds so far this year