Leeds United have provided a positive update regarding the plans to upgrade Elland Road, which should serve as both a relief and a bit of Christmas stocking fillers for fans.
Following their fantastic 4-1 win over Crystal Palace last week, The Whites have delivered even more good news, with the application to the City Council to expand their home stadium said to be making progress.
Announcing the latest developments in a press release on Tuesday, 23 December, Leeds have now revealed more information about the project.
While full planning permission is still yet to be granted - though the general consensus seems to be one of confidence - matchgoers now have more clarification on what the renovations will mean for them.
đď¸ #LUFC is pleased to share further information regarding the planning application submitted to Leeds City Council
Sharing more details in an official statement, the club wrote: "The application included a detailed plan for the West Stand, along with an outline for the North Stand for the evolution of Elland Road, taking the overall capacity to approximately 53,000."
They also explain how the plans take into account not only greater general admission numbers but demands for hospitality facilities as well, with approximately 26k currently on the waiting list for a season ticket.
It goes on to read: "Public consultations held prior to the submission of the planning application with supporters and the local community, which were overwhelmingly in favour of the proposals.
"In total, 98% of respondents supported the clubâs overall proposals to enhance Elland Road Stadium, 97% of respondents supported an increase in capacity, 98% of respondents supported the design plans, and 99% of respondents supported the economic benefits that would be delivered locally.
Not only will the fan base be glad to learn more about what the expansion will entail, but that the proposals are still very much in motion, as the latest update prior to this cast significant doubt over the timeline.
Thankfully, the club has fresh info in this department too.
"After extensive discussions with Leeds City Council Highways Department, Leeds United are pleased to have received support for the planning application", the statement continues.
"The club can today announce one of the most significant Section 106 agreements, which will fund highway improvements around Elland Road and the city of Leeds.
Also promising a 'sustainable and dynamic travel plan', upgrades will also be made to matchday public transport services and parking.
Perhaps the biggest relief, however, is that those who currently sit in the West Stand will remain in place, with assurances that the upgraded South Stand will also be kept entirely for home fans, maximising atmosphere during games.
Although further consultation is likely to take place as a better idea of commencement and completion dates becomes clearer, it's nevertheless looking like an exciting new chapter for Elland Road and Leeds United.
Can you believe we'll be getting ready to say goodbye to 2025 and welcome in a new year next week?
2025 has been quite the year, and with the working world getting ready to wind down for the festive season, many are no doubt already looking ahead to the new year, and planning all the holidays and time off work they want to book.
Fancy making the most of it though? For those looking to play their cards right and hack the system a little bit, some clever clogs has worked out a way to secure yourself a whopping 59 days off work by using just 28 days of your annual leave allowance - and itâs pretty impressive.
With most full-time employees who work a five-day week having a minimum of 28 days (5.6 weeks) of paid annual leave each year, travel experts have figured out how these people can effectively double their time off in 2026.
How to get 59 days off work in 2026 using only 28 days of annual leave / Credit: Road Ahead | Kaitlyn Baker (via Unsplash)
January
It may be a tad too late for some, but if you're still able to extend your new year celebrations, then you'll want to book Friday 2 January off to create a long weekend.
Easter
Saturday 28 March to Sunday 12 April - Thanks to those two Bank Holidays we get off around Easter time, by booking Monday 30 March to Thursday 2 April, and then Tuesday 7 April to Friday 10 April off, you can enjoy a massive 16 days off work by just using eight days of annual leave.
Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 March - Weekend
Monday 30 March to Thursday 2 April - Annual Leave
Friday 3 April - Good Friday
Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 April (Easter Sunday) - Weekend
Monday 6 April - Easter Monday
Tuesday 7 to Friday 10 April - Annual Leave
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April - Annual Leave
May
Saturday 2 to Sunday 10 May and Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 May - Thanks to the two Bank Holidays in May, there's two ways for you to enjoy nine days off in a row by only using four days of annual leave.Â
August
Saturday 29 August - Sunday 6 September - With another Bank Holiday in August, by booking Tuesday 1 though to Friday 4 September as annual leave, you can enjoy nine days of summer holiday in total.
December
Saturday 19 December 2026 - 3 January 2027 - With the Christmas Day and Boxing Day Bank Holidays, as well as the Boxing Day substitute day, and New Year's Day too, you can book just seven days off on from 21 to 24 December, and 29 to 31 December, to enjoy a whopping 16 days off in total.
Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 December - Weekend
Monday 21 - Thursday 24 December - Annual Leave
Friday 25 & Saturday 26 December - Christmas Day and Boxing Day (& weekend)
Sunday 27 December - Weekend
Monday 28 December - Bank Holiday (Boxing Day substitute)
Tuesday 29 - Thursday 31 December - Annual Leave
Friday 1 January 2026 - New Year's Day
Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 January - Weekend
Wellbeing Coach Lorna Wilkins has explored the health-boosting benefits of going on holiday and taking time off from work.
"One of the key health benefits of going on holiday is that it reduces stress," Lorna explains.
"Having a break from your daily routine can make you feel more relaxed and therefore improve your mental wellbeing. A change of environment and getting away from the pressures of day-to-day life not only helps you to clear your mind but can also help to improve your sleep quality as youâll be feeling more relaxed."
Full list of 68 Pizza Hut branches set to close – including several in Leeds
Emily Sergeant
Pizza Hut has published its list of 68 restaurants that are set to close their doors, and includes several in Leeds.
In case you missed the announcement earlier this week, Pizza Hut confirmed that it had entered into administration, and DC London Pie - the firm running the once-popular chain's restaurants in the UK - had appointed administrators from corporate finance firm, FTI.
Since its start, Pizza Hut has always been known and loved for its family-friendly dining, particularly its popular pizza buffet, salad bar, and ice cream machine.
But business in the UK has been struggling for the chain for a while, and it had previously gone into administration less than a year ago, but that was when DC London Pie stepped in and saved the chain's restaurants from insolvency.
Now though, some 1,210 people are due to be made redundant as 68 Pizza Hut restaurants close down.
Pizza Hut has released its list of 68 branches set to close their doors / Credit: Alan Hardman (via Unsplash)
11 delivery outlets are also set to close, which do not have indoor dining seating - however none of these are in Leeds or West Yorkshire.
Luckily, a total of 64 branches have been saved as part of a rescue deal by American hospitality giant Yum! Brands, which owns the global Pizza Hut business.
Yum! Brands said it had bought the UK restaurant operation in a pre-pack administration deal, and the rescue has secured the future of 1,276 workers.
Full list of Pizza Hut locations set to close
Ashton-under-Lyne
Beckton
Bolton
Bournemouth
Bradford, Vicar Lane
Brighton, Marina
Bristol
Cardiff
Carlisle
Chatham
Clacton
Cortonwood
Crawley
Cribbs Causeway
Croydon
Dudley
Dundee
Durham City
Eastbourne
Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Fountain Park
Edinburgh, Kinnaird Park
Enfield
Falkirk
Feltham
Finchley, Lido
Great Yarmouth
Greenwich
Grimsby
Hartlepool
Hayes
Hereford
Huddersfield
Hull
Inverness
Kettering
Kidderminster
Lancaster
Leeds, Colton Mill
Leeds, Kirkstall Road
Leeds, White Rose
Liverpool
Llanelli
Lowestoft
Manchester Fort
Middlesbrough
Norwich
Oldham
Poole, Tower Park
Portsmouth
Preston
Reading Gate
Rhyl
Rochdale
Romford
Russell Square, London
Scunthorpe
Shrewsbury
Silverlink
Solihull
St Helens
Stratford-upon-Avon
Thanet
Truro
Urmston
Wellingborough
Wigan
Yeovil
A spokesperson for Pizza Hut UK said it was 'pleased' to secure the continuation of 64 sites to safeguard its guest experience and protect the associated jobs.
"Approximately 2,259 team members will transfer to the new Yum! equity business under UK TUPE legislation, including above-restaurant leaders and support teams," the spokesperson said in a statement on Monday.
Nicolas Burquier, who is the Managing Director of Pizza Hut Europe and Canada, called Monday's agreement a 'targeted acquisition', Sky News reports.
"Our immediate priority is operational continuity at the acquired locations and supporting colleagues through the transition," Mr Burquier concluded.
Danny Jones -
24th December 2025 
