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?
The Good Food Guide has just released its list of the 100 best local restaurants in Britain – and three Leeds spots have made the list.
The latest edition of the Best 100 Local Restaurants list celebrates the very best venues that are loved by their communities.
A team of reviewers and inspectors scour the country to find the best of the best, and this year three restaurants in Leeds have earned themselves a place on the numbered list.
One in particular has been included just three months after opening.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The Smithfield opened in April taking over the old Reliance space on North Street, and it's safe to say they had very big shoes to fill.
But they have done with ease, celebrating Yorkshire produce to a crowd that are overjoyed to see the space being brought back to life.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Here's what the Good Food Guide had to say after awarding The Smithfield with 80th place: "Opening in one of the city’s most hallowed restaurant sites was always going to invite comparison. In its day, the Reliance was a much-loved neighbourhood haunt that became the gateway drug for a generation of Leeds foodies, and a return to its burgundy paint job was a statement of intent from its new owners.
"Head chef James Donovan's CV includes Clerkenwell's Rochelle Canteen, and you don't have to do much dusting to see the Fergus and Margot Henderson's nose-to-tail fingerprints: pig's head, ox heart, hogget, and a meritocratic approach to the menu with produce leading the way – occasionally nudged along by a well-timed dollop of gribiche or a slick of bisque."
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Elsewhere on the list, it won't come as a surprise to see that the ever-so-brilliant Bavette has been crowned in 16th place. Described as a "convivial neighbourhood bistro in the northerly suburb of Horsforth" that perfectly exudes a "Franco-Yorkshire alliance".
And lastly for Leeds, the ultra-cool Empire Cafe takes spot 31 where "owners Sam Pullan and Nicole Deighton have done a grand job here, rekindling the nostalgia while making the place feel emphatically of the moment, 'high-class yet down-to-earth'."
It's a trio of great wins for Leeds' foodie scene, and you can read the full list here.
England World Cup semi-final to be shown at Leeds’ Millennium Square as giant fanzone announced
Clementine Hall
Football's coming home to Millennium Square as England take on Argentina in the World Cup semi-final.
If you're still looking for a spot to cheer on the boys in the football this Wednesday then hang fire, because Leeds City Council have got us covered.
Following the Three Lions’ triumphant victory against Norway on Saturday evening, the council have announced that Millennium Square will host a World Cup 2026 fanzone at the heart of Leeds city centre.
Supporters will have the chance to cheer on star boy Jude Bellingham and the team with all the action shown live on a high-definition giant LED screen with concert style sound, all set within a bespoke outdoor arena.
Two large bars and street food concessions will be provided on site together with toilet and drinking water facilities.
Entry is strictly by advance ticket only and is a standing only event. Gates open at 6pm with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST with live DJ pre match entertainment.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy said “The whole country is behind England and it’s fantastic that fans will have the chance to come together and enjoy this incredible occasion in the open air at the heart of the city centre.
"The atmosphere on Millennium Square is always a one-of-a-kind and probably the closest you can get to being there. Leeds is a city that’s always had a massive passion for sport, and I know the fans will do England proud as we cheer them on in what will hopefully be another memorable win.”
Tickets are priced at £6 per person an go on sale at 10am on Monday 13 July via www.millsqleeds.com.
Danny Jones -
6th May 2025 
