Well-known UK bowling activity bar Lane7 is set to open its first-ever location in Leeds in 2025.
The bowling alley and entertainment specialists already have a site in Sheffield, and another site is coming to York very soon, making Leeds the third venue in the region.
Set to pop up in the city centre, they'll be opening just down the road from popular adult playground and competitor, Roxy Ball Room - more specifically their Roxy Lanes site.
Lane7 Leeds will take over the former Wilko shop on Albion Street, which closed following the franchise's widespread financial struggles back in 2023.
The lot has been vacant ever since and now a poster plastered in the window has revealed the company's intentions another Yorkshire outpost.
With 18 locations already up and running in the UK, the Leeds bowling alley along with plans to open in Northern Ireland and Wales will see them surpass 20 different sites.
Started in Newcastle back in 2013, in just over a decade the bowling and activity bar has managed to carve a strong following in an already saturated corner of the hospitality and entertainment sector.
Like Roxys, Lane7 also offers other games like mini golf, ping pong and pool, arcade machines and more, not to mention plenty of food and drink offerings.
Most notably, each venue works with local chefs to create unique menus for each city rather than a strictly standardised offering across the board.
For instance, our friends over at The Manc are treated to the equally popular chain Fat Hippo as the in-house vendors.
The dirty burger connoisseurs also have a restaurant here in Leeds, so maybe we'll see them appear at this new Lane7 too, but we'll leave the fun of guessing what else it could be up to you.
Although there is still very little information on an exact opening date, we think we can safely expect Lane7 Leeds to arrive sometime in 2025. We'll keep you posted.
Featured Images — Lane7
Eats
Independent Leeds coffee shop crowned one of the UK’s best for 2026
A list of the UK's best independent coffee shops for 2026 has been released, and one in Leeds has come up trumps.
The coffee shop in question may come as no surprise to some of you, as some would say that after 15 years in the city it's become somewhat of an institution.
Of course it's none other than Laynes.
Founded in 2011 by Dave Olejnik, Laynes began life on New Station Street and quickly became one of the first venues in Leeds to focus on carefully sourced and roasted coffee beans, helping lead the way for the city's now-thriving independent coffee scene.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's a proper Leeds staple at this point, sat proudly with its glowing yellow exterior and queues out the door full of punters looking for their morning caffeine fix.
But it's not just us who think it's flipping fantastic, as a new study has revealed the top 10 most popular independent coffee shops in the country and Laynes comes in at a very respectable number 8.
The list, made by Capital on Tap, analysed coffee across the UK looking at Google reviews, monthly searches and social media success.
Laynes was in some pretty good company including Idle Hands in Manchester and Kaf Coffee in Glasgow. But most importantly, none of the top 10 were in London - make of that what you will.
The top 10 most popular independent coffee shops for 2026:
A bakery serving giant NYC-style cookies and fluffy cinnamon buns has just opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
If you've got a seriously sweet tooth, then you're going to love this new opening.
It seems like there's been a flurry of new bakeries popping up in and around Leeds recently, and we're certainly not complaining.
Introducing Crumbb, a beautiful new bakery that has just opened its doors on Hyde Park Road just moments outside of the city centre.
Owner Naila started the businesses as a wholesaler six years ago, stocking up local businesses from far and wide with sweet treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Since then, Crumbbs opened its first location in Bradford just a few months ago that has been nothing short of a resounding success. So much so, that Crumbbs 2.0 was born right here in Leeds a few days ago.
Right, let's talk you through what's on offer.
For the sweet toothed out there, there's a whole myriad of treats for you to enjoy. We're talking giant NYC-style cookies, fluffy cinnamon buns topped with gooey icing, brownies slices, cookie muffins, rocky road, flapjack, the list is truly endless.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can even get warm cookie trays and hot brownies to enjoy in house that can be topped with ice cream or thick custard.
And it doesn't stop there, Crumbbs also whip up freshly baked savoury focaccia slices as well as cheese twists, pizza slices and savoury rolls filled with creamy mozzarella and herbs.
They've also got a fabulous drink selection on offer including matcha, coffee and hot chocolates.
Located in Headingley, we've got a feeling this spot is going to be a huge hit with students and locals alike looking to get their sweet treat fix. But they'll have to beat us to it first.
Danny Jones -
27th December 2024 
