One of Leeds' best-loved independents is launching a rather novel new social club - a bowling club.
Silver's Deli, famed for its New York-style sub sandwiches, has said that it wants to hold a nice social event that doesn't involve running, saying that run clubs are 'monumentally ridiculous'.
Owner Chris said that the current trend (and run clubs are everywhere right now) for 'glowing at 7am after a 35k sprint all dressed in their best Lycra' is a 'horror show'.
In a hilarious statement shared on Instagram, he said that he hopes his new project will have all the social aspect of a running club, but without the running, which is 'the worst bit'.
"It's like walking, which is fine, but you get all flustered and overly warm, and you probably stink etc."
And the best bit of this new Silver's Bowling Club plan is that it will support the 'f***ing class' Bramley Crown Green Bowling club.
Chris said he hopes this new project will, as well as donating to the club, attract some new members to this 'oasis with all the flowers and nature and sh**'.
The Bramley Crown Green Bowling club is facing rising running costs, increasing membership costs, and a lack of people signing up for memberships.
The plan for this new Silver's Bowling Club will be that winners will be given vouchers, with deck chairs placed out for people to 'just hang out'.
Silver's Bowling Club begins next month
There'll be coffees from Bramley Batch and cookies from Get Baked, with plans to add Silver's breakfast sandwiches to the menu if the first club meet is a success.
No experience necessary - 'just throw some bowls on the ground and see what happens'.
Chris then wants to run the Silver's Bowling Club meets at least monthly all summer, weather permitting.
His statement, in which he directly apologised to Green Room, said: "I had this idea when staring out onto Bramley Park from my back door, watching the park run on a cold February morning — "these people are f*king lunatics", I thought.
"I wondered how they had the energy (or desire) to do such a monumentally ridiculous thing on a Saturday morning. Then I started thinking about running clubs.
"I'm always seeing these places posting their running clubs - everyone glowing at 7am after a 35k sprint all dressed in their best Lycra. Honestly, it's a horror show.
"So anyway I was looking at the Bowling Green, fuming, raging even, and then it came to me.
"Why don't I start a bowling club? We can have the social aspect of a running club, without the running. The running is the worst bit. It's like walking, which is fine, but you get all flustered and overly warm, and you probably stink etc."
The first ever Silver's Bowling Club will be at Bramley Crown Green Bowling on Sunday 6 July, from 10am to 12pm.
The Leeds School Uniform Exchange is returning to the city bigger and better than before.
This year, the Leeds School Uniform Exchange pop-up shop at The Merrion Centre will be significantly expanded to support families across the city ahead of the new school year.
Following the success of last year’s initiative, this year’s pop-up will feature a larger retail space, more stock available to give away, and an extended schedule of opening dates throughout the school holidays.
The pop-up is run by Leeds charity Wear and Share Leeds, that promotes sustainability and community support, providing pre-loved school uniforms at no cost and with no referral required.
Image: Supplied
The initiative forms part of the growing city-wide movement led by the Leeds School Uniform Exchange, encouraging families to reuse school uniform rather than buy new.
Families are invited to drop in, browse, and take what they need. Items typically include shirts, polos, trousers, skirts, blazers and jumpers; P.E. kits; shoes and accessories (subject to availability).
All items are sorted by size and school where possible. Uniform donations are also welcome and can be dropped off at the pop-up during opening hours.
Image: Supplied
The Leeds School Uniform Exchange pop-up shop can be found on the upper balcony level within The Merrion Centre and will run on selected dates from Wednesday 22 July until 29 August from 10am-3pm.
Tracy Morgan, co-manager of Leeds School Uniform Exchange, said: “Over the years, our community's support has been incredible. By sharing pre-loved uniform, we've been able to help so many families and reduce textile waste at the same time. This year, with a bigger presence in the city centre, we hope to reach even more families.”
Debbie Binnersley, co-manager, added: “The Leeds School Uniform Exchange has already made a real difference for thousands of families, saving them hundreds of thousands of pounds. Expanding the Merrion Centre pop-up means we can go even further this summer.”
Cult Manchester matcha brand opens in Leeds for a summer residency
Clementine Hall
Now this is one you'll have definitely seen on your timeline.
Matcha Kyoto has gone crazy over in Manchester, with pop-ups all over the city and now with a permanent spot that constantly has queues out the door.
And now, they're bringing their little slice of Japan to Leeds with their famous matcha drinks topped with the satisfying cream swirls and glorious banana pudding.
Images: The Hoot leeds
The matcha from here is about and good and as authentic as it gets, using specialist matcha from Kyoto and whisking it to an exact science. Because trust us, it really is that deep.
They've come to Leeds in the form of a pop-up Japanese brunch cafe at Habbibi, which is located on the scenic Victoria Gate rooftop - making it the perfect spot to sip an iced matcha while soaking up the city views.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Drinks wise you can choose your base of matcha or hōjicha, then customise it however you fancy with flavours like ube, strawberry and mango.
They’re also selling premium matcha over the counter, so you can take home the same quality tea that they use in-store.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Alongside the matcha drinks you'll be able to get your hands on their pocket sandos, fluffy shokupan bread stuffed with everything from tamago prawn and teryaki chicken to bulgogi steak.
They're open now and serving every day until Wednesday 12 August, so if you've been curious to see why people happily queue around the block for their drinks, this is your chance to give them a warm Leeds welcome before they're gone.
Daisy Jackson -
25th June 2025 
