The first ever Popworld Festival is coming to Leeds next year, and the new date has finally been announced.
Despite having to rearrange the highly-anticipated musical celebration full of 90s and early noughties pop bangers twice due to COVID, the team behind Popworld Festival is determined to "bring it all back" to Millennium Square next August.
Whether you lived through those eras and want to step back into a time warp of nostalgia, or you just love a cheesy tune, Popworld Festival is bringing the best of pop's golden era.
Cheeky Girls, Fatman Scoop, S Club, 5ive, and festival headliner Peter Andre are all confirmed to take to the stage.
Yorkshire native, turned killer DJ, Paul chuckle of Chuckle Brothers fame will be spinning some classic pop anthems in his non-stop set, and an extra special mystery guest will also be making an appearance later in the night.
Although festival organisers are staying tight-lipped on who it'll be, they've said to "get ready to be driven crazy by this classic 90s icon".
Festival organisers are determined to "bring it all back" to Millennium Square next August / Credit: Popworld Festival
"It’s great that the Popworld Festival is guaranteed to go ahead now," said Jonathon Guest, from festival organisers Stonegate Group.
"With COVID cases dropping and the vaccination programme making headway, we are really looking forward to giving people one of the biggest pop party experiences around next year."
As well as the festival itself, there will also be official Popworld Festival after parties hosted at Popworld Briggate Street, Popworld Cookridge Street, and Walkabout, Woodhouse Lane to make sure the the party is kept going until the early hours.
Popworld Festival is bringing the best of pop's golden era to Leeds city centre / Credit: Popworld Festival / YouTube
Popworld Festival is coming to Millennium Square on Saturday 6 August 2022.
While 'Tier One' tickets have all sold out, 'Tier Two' tickets are now available to buy priced at £27.50, and the team behind the festival has also introduced a VIP ticket priced at £49.95 - which includes priority seating, a chance to meet the artists, and a goody bag from sponsor, Ciroc Vodka.
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Emily Sergeant -
18th August 2021 
