The LS6 postcode, covering Hyde Park and Headingley, received the highest number of noise complaints in Leeds earlier this year, but what is being done to solve this now the student population have returned?
It's officially fresher's season.
Not just for the first year students at University, but for second year students that had their first year restricted by Covid-19 regulations; third year students that were left studying online throughout the pandemic without a chance to socialise and the Master students that get their chance to finally party like they did in pre-Covid era.
Or at least to many residents, this is how it appears in Hyde Park.
Many residents that live in areas such as Hyde Park have spoken out over the weekend about how they are tired of the noisy house parties and constant chaos on their streets.
Hyde Park is known in Leeds as an area popular with students. Image: Sugar House
Reports of car windows being smashed, 72 hour parties and a constant stream of celebrations that eat into the early hours are just some of the issues that local residents have spoken about in recent weeks.
At present, the LS6 postcode has the highest number of noise nuisance complaints in Leeds: collecting 1,892 complaints in the first six months of the year. These figures were also collected during various states of lockdown, when many students opted to stay at home and could not return to their accomodation after the Christmas holiday period until restrictions eased.
Given legal limits on house parties or club opening times may have reduced the noise complaints in the spring, these figures should only increase in the latter half of the year.
The LS6 postcode hosts a mixture of students, families and working professionals of all ages and although there is no evidence to suggest that it is entirely the student population that have caused this high number of nuisance complaints, those that have spoken out about the issue appear to believe that it is this population causing the predominant issues.
"There have been numerous complaints about antisocial behaviour in the area, which have spanned several years and are not limited to one household or one set of tenants. The transient nature of the student population of Hyde Park and Headingley means that turnover is high and single actions against households is not likely to stop the problem in the longer term."
The MP for Leeds North West also noted that "it is important to note that the vast majority of students are good neighbours, respectful and contributors to our area. That said, we know that a small minority can cause major distress, both for long term residents and for other students."
The plans to minimise this have included the introduction of an 'enhanced service' from the anti-social behaviour teams working in the LS6 postcode and both "Leeds Beckett University and the University of Leeds have confirmed long term funding which includes the “pre-fresher” period (June-September)".
Members of the public are invited to give their perspective on the matter by emailing Alex Sowel, but if immediate action is required to deal with a noise nuisance past 6pm, there is a dedicated hotline to speak to the dedicated anti-social behaviour team.
Leeds Pride has confirmed the dates for its 2026 festival, which will mark the event’s 20th anniversary this summer.
And you bet that organisers are pulling out all the stops.
The city-wide celebration champions local LGBTQ+ talent alongside world-class headline acts, and this year for the first time ever, celebrations will be held across two days on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July 2026.
The festival’s first performer has been announced as Strictly Come Dancing Icon & RuPaul’s Drag Race Star La Voix, who will be taking to the main stage.
Image: Supplied
And it doesn't stop there, Leeds Pride will feature a full weekend of diverse events, including the Leeds Pride Drag Brunch Fest, street parties across the city and of course the iconic Pride parade, which is set to be even bigger and better than ever before.
A Leeds Pride spokesperson said: "We're incredibly excited to celebrate 20 years of Leeds Pride. This milestone anniversary represents two decades of bringing our community together, championing LGBTQ+ voices and creating unforgettable moments.
Images: Supplied
“Leeds Pride is growing and stronger than ever and we're committed to giving Northern LGBTQ+ performers a platform to shine. This 20th anniversary festival will be our biggest and best yet, but as we expand, we need public and sponsor support more than ever to make our vision a reality. We're calling on businesses and individuals to get behind Leeds Pride and help us deliver an incredible celebration that our community deserves.
“Expanding to two days for the first time shows just how far we've come, and we can't wait to welcome everyone back to Leeds this summer for what will be our most spectacular Pride yet."
More details will be announced soon and you can find out more here on the Leeds Pride website.
This UK pub chain has announced bottomless Guinness for the 2026 Six Nations
Danny Jones
Guinness and the Six Nations has got to be a match made in heaven.
With the 2026 Six Nations tournament kicking off last Friday Thursday, 5 February – it's safe to say rugby fans across Leeds will be set on finding the perfect place to watch the upcoming matches.
However, we can’t think of many other places offering bottomless black gold in town, let alone anywhere else in Leeds.
So, if you were still unsure of where to watch this year’s tournament, the Social Pub and Kitchen group might have just made the decision for you…
That’s right, this widespread British chain is looking to keep the pints flowing throughout the duration of this year’s competition, thanks to a twist on their standard bottomless brunch format.
Image: Social Pub and Kitchen Group
Running for every single televised meeting between the much-loved half dozen rugby union teams, all 103 of their locations across the country will be providing this impressive offer on pints.
Here in Leeds, the Dry Dock, The Library and the Hyde Park Hotel will be offering the deal.
As well as these nearby venues, there are obviously plenty more around Yorkshire for those slightly further afield.
With a new food menu too, which features several honey-based dishes like the sweet sriracha pizza, chipotle loaded fries, as well as honey chipotle chicken wings, the matchday scran is on point.
So too are the drinks, clearly, and if any of your party wants to stray away from the bottomless Guinness, there are series of special Six Nations-themed cocktails, such as the ‘Midnight in Dublin’, a ‘Peach on the Pitch’ margarita, Baby Velvet, and the bold ‘G-Bomb’.
Yes, we suspect it is as boozy as it sounds.
Running throughout February and March whilst the games are on, we imagine plenty of people will be making at least one Social Pub and Kitchen site their chosen destination for watching all the action.
Even if you happen to be reading this outside of Leeds, you can find your nearest Social Pub and Kitchen and book your table right HERE.
Sophie Smith -
11th October 2021 
