Leeds
New BBC Drama ‘Better’ to be filmed in entirely in Leeds
Starring Leila Farzad.
The highly-anticipated new BBC Drama has been filming right under our noses.
The BBC has long been known for its gripping thrillers, but new drama series Better could unnerve even the most rational of Loiners.
Set and filmed entirely in Leeds, the new series starring I Hate Suzie's Leila Farzad will see the actress taking on redemption in a whole new light.
Redefining what it meants to be right or wrong, Farzad will play lead Detective Lou alongside Broadchurch's Andrew Buchan, Wolf'e Zak Ford-Williams, Cold Feet's Ceallach Spellman and Peaky Blinder's Samuel Edward-Cook.
Read More: New BBC drama to be filmed inside Leeds Corn Exchange
Written by the talent behind Spooks and Humans, Jonathon Brackley and Sam Vincent make up the team of producers on this exciting new series.
The BBC has released a synopsis which suggests that viewers are going to be for quite the emotional, on-the-edge-of-your-seat journey.
"19 years ago, when Lou was a young police officer at her lowest ebb and Col a low-ranking but ambitious newcomer to the Leeds underworld, their paths crossed, and they struck a deal that changed their lives forever. The bargain allowed Col to become very rich and very powerful, and Lou to turn around her failing career.
"A complex but special bond between the pair was forged, and so began Lou’s gradual slide into corruption. It started slowly, almost imperceptibly – small favours for Col here and there in return for tip offs, a little money to help her through some tough times – but over time her criminality seeped into every aspect of Lou’s life and morphed into something far more sinister and dangerous as the stakes grew."
The multi-layered complexion of Detective Lou Slack is a personality that BAFTA-nominated cress Leila Farzad is excited to take on: “Better is a brilliant fresh take on the morality tale. I am excited to have the opportunity to play Lou Slack, the vehicle through which we explore the multivalent layers of good and bad. A complex, flawed yet utterly human character. I feel very lucky to be a part of such a wonderful show with an incredibly talented team attached to it.”
On Monday 16 May, The Yorkshire Post reported that the TV drama was causing gridlock whilst filming on the Bingley Sir Fred Hoyle Way bypass the previous weekend. Besides this, few additional filming locations have been released to the public but it is expected that viewers will recognise the Yorkshire hotspots once the BBC drama makes it on to the TV screens.
Read More: New Netflix movie with James Bond and Game of Thrones stars films in Leeds
More information is expected to follow as filming continues.
Feature Image- Benjamin Elliott / BBC / Pip Bourdillon
Leeds
Leeds Bradford Airport workers to strike over half term, as industrial action escalates in dispute over pay
Clementine Hall
Strikes by almost 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are set to escalate.
If you're planning on catching a flight from Leeds Bradford Airport, then you may want to double check the date.
Last week it was announced that workers were set to strike and bring the airport to complete standstill in a dispute over pay.
Today it has been announced that thestrikes are set to escalate and a second set of strikes have been announced.
The Unite members planning on going on strike are a mixture of air traffic control workers, customer experience staff, security staff and cleaners.
The workers involved in the dispute have recently come out of a four-year pay deal, with some of the departments having fallen behind other airports in equivalent roles.
Pay talks have been happening since December 2025, with the airport's formal offer not going far enough to address the lack of pay parity.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "It is wrong that workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are paid far less than those doing the same job at another nearby airport.
"These are essential workers who play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of the airport and the safety of passengers and deserve fair pay. Unite will always fully back our members taking action at Leeds Bradford Airport.”
The original strikes were due to take place from 03:00 this Friday 16 October to 06:00 Sunday 18 October for hourly paid staff and from 06:00 Friday 16 October to 06:00 Sunday 18 October for air traffic control workers.
The next round of industrial action will now take place from Monday 23 October to Wednesday 2 November, which coincides with the busy half term period.
Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker said: “We appreciate those travelling to and from Leeds Bradford Airport will be concerned to hear that there are further strike dates, but the situation is completely the fault of the airport’s management. It can end this dispute, but that relies on it coming back to the table with a fair deal for our members.”
Read more: Leeds City Council confirms plans to repair historic Lower Kirkgate with work set to begin this month
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
Leeds
Beloved Leeds pub to undergo huge transformation following £230k investment
Clementine Hall
A Leeds pub has closed its doors for a major refurbishment, and will open under a completely different name.
The Mustard Pot in Chapel Allerton has received a whopping £230k investment, and is set to reopen as a ‘Grandstand’ sports pub.
The much-loved community pub will be completely transformed, with new features designed to deliver a 'stadium-style' sports experience.
The refurbishment will include the installation of multiple massive screens, an immersive state-of-the-art sound system, and flexible tiered seating.
The beer garden will also be refurbished, with new TV screens installed, whilst the interior will be decked out with sports memorabilia of local stars past and present.
Once reopened, the pub will show all key sporting fixtures, including football, rugby, cricket, tennis, F1, darts and horse racing.
Operations Manager, Zoe Eastwood, said: “We are so excited about the plans to re-open as a Grandstand pub. We know our locals are sporting mad and can’t wait to be able to offer them the best possible experience when they can visit us again.”
Local Leeds sports teams will be able to apply for a Grandstand ‘Black Card’, giving them access to exclusive offers and rewards for celebrating their wins at their new local.
The Grandstand transformation follows industry research revealing that 8.5 million consumers have watched live sport in pubs, with 86% of fans preferring sports pubs for their atmosphere.
The Mustard Pot has now closed for refurbishment and will reopen on Wednesday 4 November.
What do you make of this transformation then? Will you miss The Mustard Pot as you know and love it, or are you excited for the new concept?
You can find out more about the new space here via their website.
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Featured image - Supplied
Sophie Smith -
23rd May 2022 
