Dennis Morton

Thirty-four Leeds restaurants, cafés, takeaways and other food businesses received the Food Standards Agency’s highest food hygiene rating of five, described as “very good,” following inspections in July. Ratings assess food handling, premises condition and the management of food safety. The businesses visible in the list include The Acorn, AJ’s Jerkhouse, Anand Sweets, Bella Italia, Birds Nest Takeaway and Blake Henry’s Family Butchers.

Sandy Jarvis discusses the rapid success of Bavette, the Horsforth French bistro he opened with his husband, Clement Cousin, in early 2024. The restaurant won the Good Food Guide’s Best Local Restaurant in the UK award after only a few months, later receiving a Michelin Bib Gourmand and a top-100 ranking from the National Restaurant Awards. Jarvis says Leeds offers strong support for independent restaurants, while acknowledging severe industry pressures including rising staffing, rent and operating costs and reduced customer spending. He has helped establish the Leeds Hospitality Collective to support independent restaurant, pub and bar owners. Despite the challenges, Jarvis remains optimistic about Leeds’ food scene and identifies soupe de poisson as a dish that embodies Bavette’s traditional regional French cooking.

James Burge and Bethany Silverthorne of Harehills, Leeds, pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences after their dog Finn was found dead, underweight and in unhygienic conditions in their basement. A cat, Luna, was also found severely underweight and malnourished. The couple received indefinite bans on keeping animals, suspended 26-week prison sentences, costs and surcharges; Burge was additionally ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work. The RSPCA said Finn’s condition had deteriorated despite earlier intervention.

Leeds brewery Piglove Brewing Co. is collaborating with Bedford rock band Don Broco on two limited-edition beers inspired by the band’s album Nightmare Tripping. WAHA - Euphoria is a 4.6% Hazy Pale, while YOPO - Nightmare is a 7.6% Black IPA. The beers will debut at a sold-out launch event at Piglove by the River in Leeds on August 15, with limited availability in Leeds, Sheffield and London before a national release on August 21.

The Yorkshire Evening Post reviews the latest Food Standards Agency hygiene ratings for popular cafés and coffee shops in Leeds. The visible entries include five businesses rated five stars—La Bottega Milanese, Kapow Coffee, 200 Degrees Coffee Shop, The Union Coffee House and Coffee on The Crescent—and Miles & Co Coffee, which received four stars. The ratings reflect inspections conducted between March 2022 and July 2026.

Leeds-based Italian wine bar and kitchen Veeno will open a new restaurant at the Treadmills development in Northallerton in September 2026. Franchise owner Chris Fernandes purchased the venue from Veeno founder Nino Caruso, and the restaurant will serve Sicilian wines from the Caruso & Minini vineyard alongside Italian sharing boards, pasta, pizza and cocktails. The Northallerton site will be Veeno's eighth UK venue and adds to its existing locations in Leeds, Manchester, Leicester, Bristol, Durham and Edinburgh, as well as one site in Poland.

Leeds venues Tailors and the Domino Club have built successful businesses by concealing their bars behind a tailor’s shop and a working barbershop. Tailors combines bespoke tailoring with a 1920s-style speakeasy and in-house distilling, while the Domino Club offers live music every night, ranging from jazz to funk and reggae. Their founders argue that distinctive, immersive experiences attract customers and that collaboration among Leeds hospitality businesses benefits the wider city scene.

A fire at an industrial estate in Stourton, Leeds, spread from pallets to nearby cars on August 5. Eight fire crews attended and extinguished the blaze using large jets and breathing apparatus. One crew remained the following morning to damp down the site, while fire investigators began examining the cause.

Three of four northbound lanes on the M1 between Junctions 40 and 41 near Wakefield have reopened after a serious HGV-car collision caused a diesel spill across the carriageway. One lane remains closed while emergency resurfacing is completed. The work was delayed after a specialised planer broke down, contributing to earlier queues of up to four miles and delays of 21 minutes. National Highways expects final resurfacing work overnight, with possible temporary closures or diversions.

A large pug gathering took place at Harewood House in north Leeds, bringing together dogs and their owners for socialising, activities and breed-focused celebrations. The event honoured photographer Cecil Beaton and his pug, Simba, while Yorkshire Evening Post photographer Steve Riding documented the occasion in a gallery of 25 images.

A roundup of garden centres in and around Leeds with cafés explains the Food Standards Agency’s zero-to-five hygiene rating system, where five means “very good” and zero requires urgent improvement. The venues listed in the available text—including Tong Garden Centre, Tingley Garden Centre, Garforth Garden Centre, Leeds Garden Centre, The Arium and Caring for Life at Crag House Farm—each received the top rating of five at inspections conducted between July 2024 and July 2026.

Briony Hallas, a Wakefield mother whose son Joe was abused as a teenager and later died during the COVID pandemic, is urging abuse and crime victims to speak out and accept support. Her appeal followed an exhibition in Joe’s memory at Queen’s Mill in Castleford, attended by West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Alison Lowe. A new West Yorkshire Combined Authority strategy aims to place victims at the centre of the criminal justice process, improve equality of access and strengthen support throughout victims’ journeys, while increasing confidence in the justice system and helping bring perpetrators to justice.

Stockeld Park near Wetherby hosted a Yorkshire Day celebration featuring an attempt to set a world record by gathering more than 600 people wearing flat caps. Visitors also formed a large Yorkshire Rose with the caps and took part in Yorkshire-themed entertainment. Photographer Steve Riding documented the event, which was attended by Leeds Rhinos figure Jamie Jones-Buchanan and TV presenter Amar Latif.

Leeds’ independent bar scene is thriving through creativity, high standards and collaboration among venue owners and staff. Farrands general manager Charlotte Fisher-Smith attributes the sector’s success to Leeds’ passionate local community and distinctive, carefully curated venues. Latitude Wine Merchants founder Chris Hill says the company’s wine bar has strengthened its retail business while providing space for tastings and events. Both highlight a longstanding culture of friendly rivalry, shared expertise and innovation that has helped train new hospitality talent and sustain the city’s diverse bar offering.

Yorkshire Evening Post readers recount memorable celebrity encounters in Leeds, including Andy Lawrence’s meeting with David Jason during filming of A Touch of Frost, an unexpected meeting with Sammy Davis Jr. on Commercial Street, and school visits by Tessa Sanderson and Sir Derek Jacobi. Other anecdotes involve Dave Allen, Sir David Attenborough, Richard Whiteley and Emmerdale cast members, with the encounters generally remembered warmly and humorously.

Kemp Farm in Horsforth, Leeds, is attracting visitors to a summer display of more than 20,000 pick-your-own sunflowers, alongside wildflowers, strawberry and raspberry picking, and tractor-trailer rides. Farmer Joe Kemp says the attraction offers families and photographers an affordable day out. Hot, dry weather has accelerated the ripening of the fruit and advanced the farm’s pumpkin crop, although the strawberries are smaller than last year. The sunflowers and wildflowers are expected to remain available for about three more weeks, while the fruit-picking season will end sooner.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to meet bereaved and affected Leeds families after the publication of Donna Ockenden’s independent review into maternity and neonatal care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Leeds Maternity Families welcomed his recognition of the failings but said meetings and promises must be followed by immediate action, including a national statutory public inquiry. The Leeds review, ordered in 2025, will examine maternity care over 15 years and could consider up to 3,000 cases.

Uyare bar manager Dhanush Kumara Raju describes how his career developed from part-time bar work into leading the cocktail programme at the Leeds rooftop venue. Uyare’s menu focuses on seasonal produce and Kerala-inspired flavours such as jackfruit, curry leaf, banana leaf and coconut, with ingredients sourced partly from nearby Kirkgate Market. The bar combines classic drinks with experimental creations, including a curry-sauce Bloody Mary and a guava cocktail made with three rums, aiming to encourage customers to try unfamiliar flavours.

Leeds Cocktail Week runs from July 31 to August 9, offering wristband holders cocktails priced from £5 at dozens of bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs across the city. Participating venues include The Alchemist, Banyan, Chaophraya, Manahatta, Electric Shuffle and Uyare, with mocktails available at every location. Wristbands start at £14.95 and also provide access to selected food and drink offers. The event is organised by M.ad Agency.

Moods, a new all-day café, bar, events venue and eatery founded by Hayley and Will Moody, is opening on the ground floor of Leeds' Grade II-listed First White Cloth Hall. The venue offers speciality coffee, in-house patisserie, all-day dining and drinks, with a preview gallery showcasing its interior and team ahead of the grand opening.

Ego at The Wellington on Wetherby Road in Shadwell, north Leeds, has closed for a four-week refurbishment. The Ego Mediterranean restaurant will reopen on August 21 with a redesigned dining area, a cosier bar and two new outdoor dining spaces, alongside three new local jobs. General manager Megan Myers said the makeover aims to create a warm Mediterranean holiday atmosphere for guests.

Leeds United and Adidas have unveiled the club’s 2026-27 home kit, inspired by Leeds’s white, yellow and blue colors and the 400th anniversary of the Leeds Town Charter. Supporters are divided: some dislike the striped design, compare it to a tea towel or dishcloth, or blame Red Bull’s red logo for weakening the shirt’s appearance, while others praise its historical theme and have already bought it. The yellow away kit has generally received a warmer response, with sales expected to determine the commercial success of the new home shirt.

Leeds United legends, celebrities and sporting figures took part in the fourth annual Elliot James Bransby Memorial Shield at the John Charles Centre for Sport on July 25, 2026. The charity match commemorated Leeds United supporter Elliot James Bransby, who died in 2019, and raised funds for Martin House Children's Hospice. Team Cherry, managed by Simon Grayson, Ellery Hanley and Peter Lockwood, defeated Team Clarke, managed by Howard Wilkinson, Eddie Gray and Neil Aspin.

Trinity Kitchen at Trinity Leeds has introduced five street food traders for its summer line-up, available from July 27 through September 27. New vendors Hoi Polloi, Hermanos Caliente, Hot Butter and 7 Star Flag will serve Singaporean, Mexican, American and Venezuelan dishes respectively, while returning trader Doles Dirty Bags will offer Irish-inspired spice bags.

Twenty-seven sit-down restaurants in Leeds received the highest five-star food hygiene rating following Food Standards Agency inspections in 2026. The article excludes cafes, takeaways and pubs, and explains that five stars indicate hygiene standards considered very good. The visible entries include Aagrah, The Agora, Bill's Restaurant, Blue Tiger, Bundobust and Ciao Bella, with inspections conducted between January and May 2026.

Bundobust has grown from Leeds pop-ups, beer festivals and borrowed spaces into a celebrated vegetarian Indian street-food and craft-beer restaurant with sites in Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool. Co-founder Mayur Patel says Leeds was central to the business from the beginning and remains its home. The restaurant distinguishes itself from traditional curry houses through its textural, Indo-Chinese-influenced menu, including Bundo Chaat and Gobi Manchurian wings, while aiming to appeal to non-vegetarian diners. Bundobust continues to attend selected regional events and plans to open more locations, although its next expansion direction has not yet been decided.

The Streets opened Leeds’ new Kirkstall Abbey Sessions with two energetic sets led by Mike Skinner. The performance began with a full rendition of A Grand Don’t Come For Free before moving into a greatest-hits set, while support came from Antony Szmierek, Chiedu Oraka and Casisdead. The review praises the emotional impact of Skinner’s lyrics, the audience’s familiarity with the songs and the striking atmosphere created by the abbey ruins.

A city-wide Trivial Pursuit trail is launching in Leeds to mark 400 years since the city received its royal charter. Running until August 30, the experience sends players between six city-centre landmarks to answer questions across six categories and collect cheese wedges before completing a final challenge at Leeds City Museum. Hasbro and LeedsBID have designed the trail for families and multiple generations, with junior questions, two attempts per answer and displays highlighting Leeds history and attractions. A preview found the experience ambitious, accessible and likely to offer families a novel way to explore the city during the summer holidays.

Hillary Benn steps down as Northern Ireland Secretary as Prime Minister Andy Burnham appoints a new cabinet. Benn expressed support for the new leadership and highlighted progress on stability and the Troubles Bill. Rachel Reeves confirmed her removal as Chancellor, emphasising economic improvements under the Labour government and voicing support for her successor. Burnham continues finalising cabinet appointments.

CMAT delivers a charismatic sold‑out performance at Halifax’s Piece Hall, blending indie, country and emotional acoustic moments while showcasing material from her acclaimed albums. A surprise connection to the Brontë Parsonage Museum inspires a celebrated cover of Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights, reinforcing the concert’s local resonance. Strong crowd engagement, dynamic musical range and confident stage presence underscore her rapid ascent in the music world.

Thirteen Leeds pubs known for serving Sunday roasts received food hygiene ratings ranging from good to top marks, with all listed venues achieving the highest score of five following inspections conducted between 2024 and 2026.

A selection of highly rated cafes and brunch venues in Leeds highlights popular spots offering speciality coffee, breakfast dishes and seasonal menus, including Moose Coffee, Residence Cafe Bar, Farmhouse, House of Koko, Olive & Rye and North Star Coffee Shop, all noted for strong Google review scores and distinctive brunch offerings.

Police in Leeds arrested two men after raiding a suspected trap house in Harehills, seizing Class B drugs and cash. The operation followed concerns raised by residents and councillors at a local community meeting. West Yorkshire Police emphasised ongoing efforts to tackle drug-related crime in the area and encouraged the public to continue reporting suspicious activity.

Alison Lowe, West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, has been appointed to the House of Lords as part of outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s nominations, which include 26 new peers. Lowe expressed gratitude for the recognition and highlighted her long-standing commitment to public service. Mayor Tracy Brabin praised her contributions to regional safety and fairness, noting that her peerage reflects her national value. The list also includes figures such as London Mayor Sadiq Khan and features nominees from multiple political parties.

Employees from Manning Stainton and Northern Estate Agencies Group are completing a 196‑mile charity relay in memory of marketing head Sophie Knight, who died of cervical cancer earlier in the year. The five‑day Relay for Sophie event, involving 170 participants including her family, aims to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and St Gemma’s Hospice. Colleagues and charity representatives paid tribute to Knight’s impact and commitment to charitable initiatives, highlighting the relay as a continuation of the work she championed.

Three Leeds restaurants—Bavette, The Empire Cafe and The Smithfield—secured places in the Good Food Guide’s 2026 top 100 list, with Bavette ranking highest at 16th. The awards, announced in London, recognise community-focused eateries across the UK. La Locanda in Lancashire was named overall winner, and Black Wheat Club in York topped the Yorkshire and North East region. Good Food Guide head of reviews Chloë Hamilton praised the creativity and quality found in small, community-driven restaurants.

Police arrested a 13-year-old boy on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after a 16-year-old died in a motorbike crash in a ginnel behind Eastbourne Terrace in Pontefract. Officers and paramedics treated the victim at the scene, but he was pronounced dead. Prior police contact with the motorcycle prompted a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and investigators are seeking witnesses or footage.

Several Leeds hotel restaurants received recent Food Standards Agency inspections, with all highlighted establishments earning top hygiene ratings of five. Inspection dates vary from 2023 to 2026, reflecting consistently high standards across the featured venues.

Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds is hosting an expanded summer concert series featuring major music acts and a comedy festival, driven by promoter Joe Hubbard and the Futuresound team. The programme builds on a soft launch in 2024 and includes performances by The Streets, The Maccabees, Loyle Carner, and a reunion show by The Sunshine Underground. Organisers aim to create a diverse, city-rooted event that appeals to wide audiences, with ambitions to continue the series if demand remains strong.

Leeds rooftop restaurant Azotea blends Latin American cuisine with local Yorkshire produce, positioning itself as a unique dining experience atop Hyatt Place. General manager Mark Morris highlights evolving menus, signature cocktails and seasonal sourcing while noting industry challenges such as rising costs and wage pressures. Despite these issues, he remains optimistic and sees Azotea as a leading, distinctive part of the city’s food scene.

A Leeds pub, the Moot Hall Arms, recorded a peak of 134.1dB during England’s World Cup match against Mexico, earning the title of the noisiest pub in the UK as part of Stonegate Group and Heineken’s Roar of the Nation challenge. The initiative tracks crowd noise across selected pubs during England’s World Cup campaign, with the Leeds venue securing multiple top‑ten entries. Other participating pubs include locations in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle. England next face Norway in the quarter‑finals.

OpenTable’s latest data highlights the ten most‑booked restaurants in West Yorkshire, led by The Ivy Victoria Quarter and The Ivy Asia in Leeds. Other highly reserved venues include Fogo de Chão, Bill’s Restaurant & Bar, Devour, and The Millhouse Bistro. Rankings are based on reservation volume and customer review scores across the region.

Leeds City Council says established traffic and travel plans are in place to manage the overlap between Leeds United’s home opener on August 30 and the final day of Leeds Festival. The authority, working with Festival Republic, Leeds United and West Yorkshire Police, aims to minimise disruption during the busy Bank Holiday weekend, which also includes the Leeds West Indian Carnival. The public is encouraged to use public transport and prepare for possible adjustments to current arrangements.

Stefan Micevski, a former semi-professional footballer turned hotelier, has been appointed general manager of the Leeds Marriott Hotel. With over 15 years of hospitality experience in Europe and the UK, he previously held roles at major hotels including The Principal and Elmbank. He praised the hotel’s strong reputation and expressed enthusiasm for guiding its next phase of growth as Leeds continues to attract business and leisure visitors.

An 18-year-old riding a black Calibre e-bike suffered serious head injuries after colliding with a white Vauxhall Astra traveling in the opposite direction on Boggart Hill Crescent in Seacroft. He was taken to hospital for treatment. West Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses or footage of the incident and have provided contact details for the Roads Policing Team.

Food Standards Agency inspection results show all listed McDonald's branches in Leeds received top-rated hygiene scores of five, with inspection dates ranging from late 2024 to mid-2026.

A Leeds taproom run almost entirely by owner Dave Knowlson has become a popular independent spot by focusing on handmade pies, quality ingredients and a personable atmosphere. Knowlson describes the business as a labour of love, balancing cooking, bar work and maintenance while adapting skills gained from years in hospitality. Recent pie specials and sausage rolls have proven especially popular. Rising ingredient costs, fuel prices and VAT pressures pose ongoing challenges, as do customers’ tighter budgets, yet Knowlson remains committed to offering value and maintaining a welcoming, social environment.

A new Irish pub, Temple Bar, is opening on the ground floor of the former Society venue on Swinegate in Leeds, while Society will continue operating from the building’s cellar with a new entrance. The operator plans to offer live music and Guinness on the main floor, with the opening set for the weekend.

A broken en‑suite window on the 28th floor of Altus House in Leeds led to a temporary closure of Lovell Park Road as staff secured the area and relocated the resident. iQ Student Accommodation said the damaged pane would be replaced the following week and described the incident as isolated, with no indication of links to hot weather or structural problems.

Michael “Little Mick” Hewitt, a Leeds United fan who disappeared while travelling to Boston via Barcelona, remains missing as his family reports two promising possible sightings under investigation by authorities. His brother Gary described the search process as slow and frustrating, thanked the public and football community for their support, and urged anyone with information since June 21 to contact the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

A search is underway for 65-year-old Leeds United fan Michael Hewitt, missing for around ten days after last being in contact from Barcelona during a trip intended to continue to Boston for the World Cup. His brother describes the family’s distress and uncertainty, noting that only Interpol can access the passport data needed to confirm whether he boarded his flight. Despite repeated contact with authorities, progress has been slow, while support from the football community has been widespread. The family urges him to make contact if possible.

An Irish pub called Temple Irish Tavern is taking over the former Society bar site on Swinegate in Leeds, with new signage and branding already in place. Its planned June 2026 opening has been delayed as renovation work continues. A website and social media posts promote live music and traditional pub atmosphere, while the operator has not yet provided further details about the venue’s launch or the status of Society.

A new 4,885-square-foot Mini Mall dedicated to independent Yorkshire brands will open at the Merrion Centre in Leeds on July 25, offering managed retail bays, a food hall, and operational support through a partnership with Eventzo. Founder Shaz Westfield highlights its role in helping small businesses grow, while Town Centre Securities PLC positions the project as strengthening the centre’s commitment to local enterprise.

David Watson, founder of Heart Research UK and a pioneering heart surgeon, has died at 104. Tributes highlight his decades-long commitment to improving heart health, marked by his role in creating the National Heart Research Fund in 1967 after witnessing the risks of early heart surgery. His innovations included developing a durable artificial heart valve in 1976 and supporting early UK heart transplant success in 1979. Watson served the charity in multiple leadership roles until his death and was awarded an MBE in 2012 for contributions to cardiothoracic surgery.