Record breaking freshers footfall at The Merrion Centre
Freshers’ 2025 delivers biggest week of student visitors to date The Merrion Centre has once again cemented its position as the heart of Leeds student life, welcoming record-breaking numbers of visitors during this year’s Freshers’ period. The start of the new term saw more than 416,000 visitors at the Merrion Centre, with Freshers’ Week delivering…
White Rose Shines a Spotlight on Local Heroes
White Rose Shopping Centre has celebrated some of Leeds’ most inspiring individuals and organisations at its annual Community Awards, which recognise grassroot leaders, dedicated volunteers, and life-saving specialists who make a real difference. This year’s Community Awards honours the incredible local people working hard to benefit their community, with just a few of the 2025…
Otley Garden Centre celebrates refreshed catering offering with mayoral visit
The team at Otley Garden Centre celebrated the reopening of its popular restaurant by hosting Otley Town Mayor, Cllr Paul Carter, for afternoon tea recently. Cllr Carter, along with his wife and consort Denise, was invited to Blooms, the refurbished and renamed 200-seater table service restaurant, by Otley Garden Centre’s catering manager, Marina Jannetta. Yorkshire…
Trinity Leeds to launch Student Shopper Sweep event
Leeds students are set for an unforgettable start to the academic year as Trinity Leeds brings back its hugely popular Student Shopper Sweep, packed with shopping sprees, exclusive student offers and heaps of prizes to be won. Inspired by the classic ‘Supermarket Sweep’, lucky students can win the chance to take part in a packed…
Bussing Out to hit the road for national tour
An exhibition which spotlights ‘bussing out’ – the social policy of dispersing non-white children in the 1960s and 1970s – is set to go on the road for a national tour thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England funding. Bussing Out, an immersive art installation set in the top deck…
Harewood and the hunt for the half million pound stick in Capability Brown’s Serpentine Lake
September 2025 – February 2026 Crafted by Lancelot Capability Brown in the 18th Century, Harewood’s landscape encompasses 4000 acres and represents one of Brown’s most famous vistas. Upon first glance, it’s the perfect example of Brown’s work, but there are issues that lie deep beneath the surface. Harewood has had a turbulent relationship with Capability…
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland returns to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York, Celebrating 20 Years of Festive Fun
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland, the award-winning outdoor ice rink, funfair and Santa’s Grotto, will be returning to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York from Friday 14th November 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026, the organisers announced today. This season marks the event’s 20th anniversary since its debut as The Ice Factor on the Eye of York near Clifford’s…
Renowned Disney Traditions creator Jim Shore to visit Clintons White Rose
Internationally acclaimed artist Jim Shore – famed for designing the Disney Traditions collectable figurines – will be visiting Leeds on his six-stop European tour, with a signing at Clintons White Rose on Saturday 20th September. In-store from 1pm – 4pm, Jim Shore will be greeting guests and signing items from his many collectable collections. Since…
Merrion Centre launches new student food tours and initiatives worth more than £12,000
Exclusive rewards and new guided food tours set to welcome Leeds’ student community in 2025. Leeds’ Merrion Centre, the established shopping and leisure destination, has unveiled its line-up of activities designed to welcome the city’s student community this year. Students can look forward to over £12,000 worth of prizes through the popular ‘Shop, Show &…
Calbee UK expands team as growth continues
Calbee UK, owner of Seabrook Crisps, has announced the appointment of Hannah Colagiovanni as Brand Manager, expanding the marketing team to support the company’s continued growth. Previously Brand Manager for Zoflora at Thornton & Ross, part of global home and healthcare group STADA, Hannah has first-hand experience of supporting growth brands. During the 5-years working…
Car wash concession opens at second site in Yorkshire
An established family car wash business is the latest concession to open at a South Leeds garden centre. Handy Andy Car Wash Limited opened its 12th car wash site, the second in Yorkshire, at Tingley Garden Centre on 8th September. The site offers a range of car wash and valet services to visitors to the…
Harewood volunteers have made 5,000 upcycled decorations for Christmas event
With just over 100 days until Christmas to go, renowned maximalist interior designer Siobhan Murphy has already dived head first into the festivities, working with dozens of volunteers at Harewood to create over 5,000 handmade decorations using secondhand items. There’s a real focus on upcycling for this year’s event, A Glittering Invitation: Harewood’s Grand Christmas…
Savills says Yorkshire retail warehouse market shows resilience and opportunity as 2025 lettings activity builds momentum
The Yorkshire and the Humber out-of-town retail warehouse market is showing strong signs of resilience and opportunity in 2025, according to new research from international real estate advisor Savills. Following a robust performance in 2024 – accounting for 9.6% of all new UK lettings – the region is on track to deliver another solid year,…
A new era of dining and hospitality arrives in Leeds: Hotel Indigo Leeds and The Banksia officially open
The heart of Leeds city centre is set to welcome an exciting new destination for business, leisure, and dining as Hotel Indigo Leeds and its flagship bar and restaurant, The Banksia, officially open their doors. Located on 2 Lower Briggate, the boutique hotel blends contemporary comfort with design inspired by the city’s rich industrial heritage,…
Hygge Café to open first Leeds branch at the Merrion Centre
Scandi-inspired coffee and brunch favourite arrives in time for city’s new student intake HYGGE – the much-loved Sheffield-based coffee and brunch spot – is set to bring its cosy, Scandinavian-inspired charm to Leeds this September, with the opening of its first branch in West Yorkshire at the Merrion Centre. Located on Woodhouse Lane, adjacent to…
Regal expands baklawa range with three first-to-market limited edition flavours
Regal Foods is set to boost its popular Baklawa range with the launch of three innovative, trend-inspired flavours: Dubai Style Chocolate, Caramelised Biscuit, and Choco Nut – each a limited edition and a market-first. Building on the success of Regal’s original Baklawa, introduced in October 2022, these new creations blend the heritage of the classic…
Trinity Leeds sales up 15.7% on last year
Data from owner Landsec, shows shopping sales at Trinity Leeds rose 15.7% year-on-year during April – June this year, as shoppers flocked to new openings including Zara, Clarks and Søstrene Grene. Footfall at the centre also recorded a healthy increase of 4.7% year-on-year during the three months, signalling a wider return to in-store shopping. The…
Yorkshire Garden Centres’ play areas celebrate their tenth birthday with giveaways
The teams at two West Yorkshire indoor and outdoor adventure play areas are marking their 10th birthday with a series of giveaways. Everyone who visits Grass Hoppers play area at Tong and Tingley Garden Centres between now and 1st September will be entered into a prize draw to win prizes from slushies to pizzas and…
Yorkshire Garden Centre Group’s Yorkshire Day charity spinathon tops £1,000
Team members at a Bradford garden centre group with sites at Tong and Tingley held a Yorkshire Day spinathon which raised £1,038 for their charity of the year. A succession of team members rode 267 miles on static bikes in the checkout areas at Yorkshire Garden Centres’ sites at Tong, Tingley, Otley, Bingley, Pennine and…
South Leeds Garden Centre celebrates summer with play activities
The team at a South Leeds adventure play centre has announced its summer play sessions. In addition to the High Ropes, the Tower Jump Pillow, golf and assault courses, visitors to Mission Out at Tingley Garden Centre will have access to additional free activities including super archery, axe throwing and hook a duck throughout the…
Summer delights arrive at Trinity Kitchen
Trinity Kitchen has turned up the heat this summer with a sizzling new street food lineup. From fragrant Egyptian koshary and Ireland’s popular Spice Bags, to the return of the deep-fried Italian lasagna, a global feast awaits! Guests can tuck into delights from around the world including three exciting newcomers – Masri, Dirty Bags, I…
Yorkshire Garden Centre Group’s Yorkshire Day charity spinathon
Team members at a Bradford garden centre group will take to two wheels on Yorkshire Day to raise funds for its charity of the year. Static bikes will be in the checkout areas at Yorkshire Garden Centres’ sites at Tong, Tingley, Otley, Bingley, Pennine and Dean’s York and Scarborough on 1st August as the team…
Vanilla joins new retailers at White Rose
Women’s fashion brand Vanilla has today opened its doors at White Rose Shopping Centre, the latest addition to the centre’s impressive mix of brands. Offering both its Pink Vanilla and Blue Vanilla collections with a wide range of options for shoppers of all ages, including clothing, footwear, and accessories, the new store can be found…
Runaway trains, bumper cars, and free family activities: Family Festival of Fun arrives at White Rose
White Rose Shopping Centre is kicking off a calendar of fun this month with the return of its Kids’ Carnival from 25th July, as well as free family craft and play sessions throughout the summer holidays. Open from 11am – 9pm daily from 25th July to 7th September, the Kids’ Carnival invites guests to enjoy…
Leeds School Uniform Exchange launches first-ever pop-up shop at the Merrion Centre
The Merrion Centre in Leeds will host the first-ever city centre pop-up shop for the Leeds School Uniform Exchange (a campaign run by Wear and Share Leeds) this August – providing free, good-quality school uniforms to families across the city during one of the most financially challenging times of the year. The initiative, which promotes…
Bettys pop-up shop to return to Castle Howard this Christmas
The Bettys pop-up gift shop will return to Castle Howard for the second year running. Synonymous with Yorkshire and celebrated internationally, Bettys is known for mouthwatering confectionary, chocolates, teas and coffees and had never-before created a pop-up shop until their Castle Howard offering last year, which coincided with the stately home’s Christmas events. The shop…
Yorkshire Garden Centre Group raises over £11,000 from till donations in two months
A Bradford garden centre group has raised over £11,000 for its charity of the year through a till donation initiative. Yorkshire Garden Centres group has partnered with fintech charity Pennies to raise funds for Martin House Children’s Hospice and has raised £11,313 since it was rolled out to all seven sites in May. Pennies acts…
Rose Masterclass at a Bradford Garden Centre raises funds for charity
A rose masterclass hosted by Bradford garden centre has raised funds for a charity supporting children with life-limiting illnesses. In celebration of National Rose Month, Andy Rollings from the long-established, family-owned rose breeder David Austin Roses visited Tong Garden Centre to share his advice on planting, pruning, feeding, and caring for roses. The audience enjoyed…
Bradford 2025 hits the halfway mark with people, participation and pride at its heart – and a blockbuster Summer ahead
An estimated 1.1 million people have experienced Bradford 2025 projects celebrating the district Events have taken place in every ward in the Bradford District, covering 141 square miles across West Yorkshire from the city centre to the wild moors Over 40,000 local people have participated in Bradford 2025 activity so far More than 500 local…
TPE adds more services to support national Armed Forces celebrations in Cleethorpes this weekend
TransPennine Express (TPE) will be running extra services and providing more seats this weekend to support customers travelling to Cleethorpes for Armed Forces Day. The popular three-day event, recently chosen as the national celebration, will take place from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 June and is expected to draw large crowds to the coastal town,…
Friday Night Fever is back!
Bradford Bulls are turning up the heat this summer as Friday Night Fever makes a spectacular return to Bartercard Odsal Stadium on Friday 4 July – Adults can gain entry from just £10 and Under 18-s GO FREE! A electrifying evening of entertainment both on and off the pitch awaits as the Bulls face Hunslet RLFC in a must-see rugby league showdown, kicking…
Yorkshire Garden Centre Group creates new role for multi-site growth
A Bradford-based garden centre group with a site in Scarborough has created a new stock inventory role as it prepares for future growth across its multi-site business. Yorkshire Garden Centres group, owner of Dean’s Scarborough, has appointed Dan Campbell as its Buying Support Manager to work across all seven sites in West and North Yorkshire….
Bradford Garden Centre to host first masterclass with leading rose grower
A Bradford garden centre is hosting a rose masterclass with one of the country’s leading names in roses next month. In celebration of National Rose Month, an expert from the long-established, family-owned rose breeder David Austin Roses will be in The Mezzanine at Tong Garden Centre on Wednesday, 2nd July to share advice on planting,…
West Yorkshire adventure play area celebrates its new menu with team event
150 employees from Yorkshire Garden Centres were invited to celebrate the new menu at Mission Out outdoor adventure park with a stay and play session for family and friends. The play team at Mission Out hosted the exclusive after hours event to launch the new ‘Load & Go’ street food menu that comprises loaded nachos,…
Sandburn Hall wins VisitEngland Silver award for excellence as best large hotel
Sandburn Hall has won one of the country’s leading hospitality prizes with a Silver award for ‘Large Hotel of the Year’ at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, held in Brighton this week. Sandburn Hall, set on a 1,000 acre country estate at Flaxton, near York, is an outstanding Yorkshire hospitality, golf, wedding, events and business…
Sports Direct unveils bigger and better new White Rose store
Sports Direct, a leading international retailer of sports and fitness footwear, clothing, and equipment has opened (30th May) a new and upsized 11,000 sq. ft store at White Rose Shopping Centre, offering even more choice to guests. The relocated Sports Direct store boasts equipment, clothing, footwear, and accessories from global sports brands such as Nike,…
Waterstones opens at White Rose
Waterstones has opened a new bookshop at White Rose Shopping Centre, its second location in Leeds. The UK bookseller’s newest shop has opened in a section of the lower-ground floor at the former Marks & Spencer unit at White Rose, opposite Primark. The space boasts a large children’s section for younger readers, and an extensive…
Taste the sunshine: new street food stars hit Trinity Kitchen
Trinity Kitchen comes alive for summer with an irresistible new lineup of culinary delights this Summer – from parmos to bao buns and crispy falafel bites. Guests visiting Trinity Kitchen can treat their tastebuds to an eclectic mix of mouthwatering street food from the likes of Shouk, Wagyu Lookin’ At?, Niko’s Comfort Kitchen, Fat Cat…
Clarks steps into Trinity Leeds with brand-new store opening
Global footwear brand, Clarks, has officially opened its new store at Trinity Leeds today, Friday 23rd May, marking a celebratory return to the heart of the city centre. The opening was commemorated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and comes at a milestone moment for the brand, as Clarks celebrates 200 years of heritage, style and craftsmanship…
Bradford School of Art students support large-scale textile installation for world heritage site
A group of Bradford School of Art higher education students were given the opportunity of a lifetime after being selected to support one of America’s most distinguished visual artists. We Will Sing is a new, large-scale, site-responsive installation by renowned artist Ann Hamilton, commissioned for Salts Mill as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of…
Clarks celebrates 200 years of comfort with new store opening at Trinity Leeds
Clarks, the globally renowned footwear brand is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year and is excited announce the opening of a brand-new store in the heart of Leeds, at the Trinity Leeds. Officially opening to the public on Friday 23rd May 2025, the store will be located on the ground floor of Trinity Leeds, Albion…
Bradford garden centre group appoints new finance director
A Bradford garden centre group has recruited a new board member as it prepares for future growth across its multi-site business. Yorkshire Garden Centres group has appointed Emma Bristow as its full-time finance director. In her new role, Mrs Bristow will lead the finance team to support the continued growth of the business. An early…
Iconic Meltham café business goes up for sale
A unique café and events business in Meltham, near Holmfirth, has been put up for sale with a guide price of £175,000 with commercial property estate agent Ernest Wilson, which is part of Eddisons. Launched in 2020, Lu’s Place, on the edge of Meltham and adjacent to open countryside and woodland, has built a reputation…
Bradford City Centre sees positive growth as footfall rises 25% in early 2025
Bradford City Centre is showing encouraging signs of recovery, with both footfall and dwell time on the rise following a challenging year for local businesses. The Bradford Business Improvement District (BID), which represents almost 600 member businesses in the city centre, closely monitors a range of performance indicators. Figures from the first quarter of 2025…
Bradford based Garden Centre Group crowns Values Champions
A Bradford based Garden Centre Group has held a celebration lunch to honour its Values Champions. On 1st May, Yorkshire Garden Centres directors celebrated the success of the 10 Values Champions winners with a lunch at the Mezzanine Restaurant at Tong Garden Centre. Throughout 2024, the team at all seven Yorkshire Garden Centres sites voted…
New look Tenpin Leeds opens entertainment hub at Merrion Centre following £1m refurb programme
The Merrion Centre in the heart of Leeds’ Arena Quarter announces the completion of the newly revamped Tenpin Leeds, following a £1m refurbishment programme to transform the venue into a vibrant entertainment hub. Now open to the public, the 31, 222 sq ft refurbished Tenpin Leeds features an array of new attractions, including karaoke, interactive…
Trinity’s LUFC promotion party display can be seen for ‘smiles’ around
Shopping Centre’s 306sqm Leeds United ‘Smiley’ Badge is City’s Biggest Display To celebrate Leeds United’s promotion – and to hopefully see them crowned Champions tomorrow (Saturday) – Trinity Leeds has emblazoned a 306-square-metre LUFC ‘smiley’ club badge on the shopping centre’s glass dome roof. As seen on this season’s cult yellow away kit, the huge…
Regal Foods launches family of brands on Ocado.com
Yorkshire-based food group, Regal Food Products Group launches products from Regal Foods and Yorkshire Baking Company on Ocado.com, the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket. The listing with Ocado.com will see an extensive range of products listed on the online platform, covering both world food and mainstream cake. Regal Foods will offer a solid range of…