Popular Leeds venue Green Room is back with another new and improved weekly event that is set to rival the regular 5k parkrun crowds this summer.
The city centre social space, eatery, bar and roof terrace always have stuff going on, from the usual post-work and weekend festivities, to the live music basement sessions and more, but now it's setting its sights on the run club community.
After a successful first jog around last year, the Green Room Run Club is officially back as we head into the summer season, and with more backing, brand new merch and bigger crowds already, it's safe to say the 2025 edition is off to a stormer.
Taking inspiration not only from the long-established parkrun, which countless joggers and racers alike attend week in week out all over the world, this event offers all the same social, fitness and community benefits with an extra half hour snooze in bed.
With that in mind, Green Room isn't just copying the winning formula but honing it into something very special of their own.
Adding not only a slightly more reasonable start time but also fresh juice and tasty baked pastries after you finish the 5k lap around some quieter sections of the city streets and along the serene Leeds canals, it's the ideal start to a weekend.
Better yet, not only is attendance completely free - hence why it's already proven such a big hit - but the selection of complimentary refreshments and snacks is accompanied by Green Room's own brand of official run club merch.
With a heavy GSM and thread count, not to mention a cool design on top of the high quality, we had to cop the t-shirt and the hoodie right away. You can find out more on their social media.
Once again, the 2025 Green Room Run Club is already underway and only just getting started; expect big things from the brand, and if you fancy avoiding the parkrun crowds around the same old loop you've done dozens of times, why not give this one a go?
Singer-songwriter Myles Smith has just announced his biggest headline tour and is set to play a huge arena gig in Leeds this year.
Quit ‘Stargazing’ and get ready to fight for tickets as Myles Smith has just announced he’ll be visiting Leeds later this year for his biggest arena gig to date.
Known for hits like ‘Nice To Meet You’, ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’ and ‘Wait For You’, this BRIT School graduate is now heading on the road for some headline shows across the UK.
Recognised for his folk-pop sound, Smith has built quite a name for himself just three or so years into his career, with solo efforts and a few collaborations under his belt.
Myles Smith is heading to First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds, on tour this year / Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Recently, the Luton-born artist collaborated with some well-known names like Shaboozey on their track ‘Blink Twice’ and even features on a new single from former One Direction member Niall Horan titled ‘Drive Safe’.
It was only last year that the ‘Stargazing’ songwriter visited Leeds, bringing his high-energy hits to O2 Academy back in February.
Now, Smith is ready to tackle an arena crowd and has chosen Leeds First Direct Bank Arena and is expected to raise the roof when 13,500 fans flock to the star’s show this winter.
Titled after his upcoming album My Mess, My Life, My Heart, Smith will be playing a variety of well-known and brand new hits when he makes his way up North.
Fans who are signed up to the official artist presale can get exclusive access to tickets from Wednesday, 25 March at 10am, with the window closing on Friday, 27 March at 9am.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live by 10 am that same Friday (27 Mar).
Myles Smith is embarking on his ‘My Mess, My Life, My Heart’ tour this winter and visiting First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds on Sunday 8 November – tickets and more info HERE.
Leeds city centre crowned one of the best places to live in the north by The Sunday Times
Clementine Hall
Today, Leeds city centre earned itself a coveted spot in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.
What brilliant news to end the week on, hey?
Leeds city centre was amongst eight other locations across the north and the north east to be featured on the list.
The market town of Skipton took home the dazzling first prize, but it's still nice to be included isn't it.
Here's what the judges had to say about Leeds city centre: “Leeds has five universities, the fourth largest urban economy in the UK (with job opportunities in finance, insurance and big business), a youthful vibe and a relatively affordable average house price (£285,100).
Image: Unsplash
“Stay close to the centre, where you won’t have to worry about the patchy public transport, and it all adds up to a fun-filled, fulfilled life within walking distance of stylish shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. There’s a good choice of riverside homes, where you may spot kingfishers and otters, and even the schools are good.”
In total, 72 places across the UK were selected by The Sunday Times to showcase the very best of Britain, with Norwich named the overall national winner.
The full list of locations in the north and northeast include:
Skipton
Howardian Hills, North Yorkshire
Leeds city centre
Morpeth, Northumberland
Newcastle: Gosforth
Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire
Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire
York
Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: “This guide is a great opportunity to highlight the best places in Britain.
“It is full of places that show that our village, town and city centres can still be full of life, as well as places bursting with natural beauty, culture, connectivity and most importantly a sense of community.
“Our expert team of judges visit every location on the list and talk to the locals to find out what they love about the place they live."
Danny Jones -
6th May 2025 
