A new Netflix movie has been filming right under our noses this week.
Images have surfaced online of the filming of new Netflix movie 'Bank of Dave' in Leeds city centre this week.
British actors Rory Kinnear, known best for his role as M in James Bond and Game of Throne's Joel Fry were both spotting filming the new movie inside Central Square of Wellington Street this Saturday.
Mirroring Canary Wharf, the office building was transformed into the Financial Regulatory Board to film scenes for Netflix movie Bank of Dave.
The up-and-coming blockbuster is capturing the life events of Dave Fishwick, a self-made millionaire that shot to fame in the Channel 4 series Bank of Dave.
Central Square commented: "Another exciting day today at Central Square with Netflix filming scenes from the upcoming movie Bank of Dave, starring Rory Kinnear (Skyfall, Penny Dreadful) and Joel Fry (Game of Thrones, Cruella).
"We were picked as they wanted a building Leeds that looked like it was in Canary Wharf and we fitted the billSo for one day only we are the offices of the Financial Regulation Board."
Image: Central Square Leeds
Back in 2011, Dave set up his own bank in his home town of Burnley, Lancashire to help inject much-needed life into local businesses and to prove that banks can be socially responsible by donating any profits to charity. The story is now going to be warming the hearts of Netflix viewers when it is released as a full-length movie.
Rory Kinnear has been settling into the role of Dave Fishwick, whilst other members of cast have had their roles in the storyline kept under wraps. The cast includes Game of Throne's Joel Fry and Paul Kaye, Bridgerton's Phoebe Dynevor; TV's Jo Hartley and Peaky Blinders' Jean-Pascal Heyneman to name a few.
More information is expected to be released closer to the post-production phase of the movie and whilst it's unclear whether further filming will commence in Leeds, we're sure that our city would be delighted to see the return of British actors aplenty.
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Sophie Smith -
24th March 2022 
