A bird's-eye view of Leeds, Sheffield, and Yorkshire
X
Leeds
Leeds legend Liam Cooper puts £1,000 behind The Old Peacock bar for locals
'What a captain and leader on the pitch and at the club he was. An even greater gentleman and kindhearted guy who will do everything for anybody top guy. MOT.'
Leeds United legend Liam Cooper was a special guest at go-to matchday pub The Old Peacock this past weekend and delighted fans even further by putting a healthy £1,000 in free drinks behind the bar.
Cooper left the Whites after more than 10 years at Elland Road back in September 2024 after his contract expired, joining Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia on a free transfer, but he remains a welcome face at the pub across the way from Leeds' home ground.
Especially when he gets the round in.
Returning to The Old Peacock for the first time since leaving Yorkshire, not only did Liam Cooper turn up completely by surprise and offered to put £1,000 behind the bar.
A belated Christmas present from ex-captain Cooper. (Credit: The Old Peacock)
Speaking to the BBC, one of the staff members explained how Cooper walked in pretty much without being noticed until beloved bar woman Dawn Oates spotted him and asked him for a picture.
After it became apparent it was indeed the former defender and club captain, the Kingston upon Hull-born Scottish international was insistent on sharing some free drinks with the punters.
Dawn and her colleagues then proceeded to hand out can after can of ALAW Lager ('All Leeds Aren't We'), the popular beer created in collaboration between official United supporters' groups and Osset Brewery, who have owned the Peacock since 2013.
Writing in a post on social media, the busy boozer said: "We would like to send a massive thank you to Liam Cooper for coming into the pub today and putting £1000 over which we handed fans a free can of ALAW Lager on his behalf."
Responding in the comments, many applauded the "classy" gesture and noted it wasn't the first time he'd done similar; one person detailed how he was treated to four free tins of the local brew and everyone echoed the mutual love between him and the club.
Much to the delight of regulars, The Old Peacock has been treated to lots of guest appearances by both present and former players over the years.
Fellow former defender and fan favourite Luke Ayling, who also left the club last year, famously relished popping in to surprise match-goers, even having the pub temporarily renamed as 'The Luke Ale Inn' in his honour.
If you thought his goodbye video was emotional enough, 'Coops' farewell was doubly so after a literal decade as a Peacock.
Where does he rank among all-time club servants and legends, do you think?
One of Leeds city centre’s most iconic buildings has been just transformed into one of the coolest new spaces we’ve come across.
Introducing Moods - a new all-day cafe, bar and events space that has just opened at First White Cloth Hall on Kirkgate in the centre of town last Friday 31 July.
Created by husband-and-wife founders Will and Hayley Moody, the team behind Buzz Club Tattoo, Moods occupies the ground floor of the Grade II* listed building and it's just as beautiful as you can imagine.
Exposed brick, floor to ceiling windows, mid-century furniture and muted furnishings, a lot of love has gone into this place and you can truly tell.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
They do it all, whether you're popping in for a coffee and a spot of brunch or swinging by for a few carefully curated cocktails and some small plates to share with friends.
The kitchen id led by Head Chef Craig Rogan, who trained within Simon Rogan's Michelin-starred restaurant group, including time at L'Enclume and Fera at Claridge's.
The pre-noon menu includes everything from organic yoghurt with mixed fruit compote to a mushroom crumpet topped with old Winchester cheese and truffle honey.
Their post-noon features a salt-baked beetroot salad, fried chicken with brioche and heritage carrots with ewes curd and black garlic.
It's an exciting menu from an exciting chef in an equally as exciting venue, and we can't wait for you to visit and fall in love with it as much as we have.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Will Moody said: "Leeds has been our home since university, and First White Cloth Hall felt like the kind of building you do not get a second chance with. From the moment we saw it, we knew it could become much more than a studio home.
"Moods is about opening the ground floor up and giving people a reason to use the building from morning through to night, whether that is coffee, food, drinks, private events or simply a good catch-up with friends."
Moods is open now and you can find out more and book your table here.
The UK’s largest independent frozen yoghurt brand is opening in Leeds
Clementine Hall
The frozen yoghurt craze is taking over the city by storm.
Summer is well and truly in full swing, which means we are constantly craving a refreshing ice-cold treat.
And it seems like a certain someone may have been listening, as Frurt has announced they'll be opening in Leeds.
What is Frurt you may ask? Born in Manchester over 15 years ago, Frurt is now the UK's largest independent frozen yoghurt brand that has become a multi-award-winning staple of the Manchester food and drink scene.
They sell a range of every changing yoghurt flavours, including gluten free and vegan options, with all the toppings you could possibly pile on.
Images: The Manc Group
It seems though that their spot in Leeds will differ from the rest, as they'll be opening inside Morrison's over in Kirkstall.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Frurt said: "The Next Chapter Begins.Sixteen years ago, Frurt opened its doors with one mission: to serve the very best frozen yogurt experience.
"Today, we’re incredibly proud to announce our biggest milestone yet. Frurt is proudly partnering with @morrisons , with our first kiosk opening in Leeds.
"This isn’t just a new location, it’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we bring Frurt to even more communities across the UK. To every customer, franchisee, supplier and member of the Frurt family who has supported us over the past 16 years, thank you. Your support has made moments like this possible.
"Leeds, we’ll see you very soon."
We can't wait to welcome Frurt to our city, and we'll keep you updated as usual with any more information when we get it.
Danny Jones -
6th January 2025 
