Good morning, Leeds. Welcome to this edition of the Leeds Scoop. What a week to be writing this newsletter! Today, our city turns 400 years old. Four. Hundred. Years. Leeds was granted its first Royal Charter in 1626, just six years after the Mayflower set sail for the New World. In other news, we've had festivals, fan parks, friendly rankings and a fresh signing at Elland Road.
In today's Leeds Scoop:
Happy 400th birthday, Leeds
Leeds United submit plans for a new fan park at Elland Road
Kirkstall Festival draws 25,000 people to the Abbey grounds
Let's get to it.
News 🗞️
The biggest stories from the past week…
🎂 Happy 400th Birthday, Leeds
Today marks exactly 400 years since King Charles I granted Leeds its first Royal Charter in 1626. That's four centuries of this city doing its thing, and we think it deserves a proper fuss.
Over the weekend there were celebrations right across the city, from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance's Party in the Park to a civic service at Leeds Minster. Parks, squares and venues citywide got in on the action, making for a special couple of days.
It's hard to overstate what a landmark moment this is for Leeds. The city has grown from a market town with a royal stamp of approval into one of the most beloved cities in the country.
If you haven't already, Leeds City Council's dedicated Leeds 400 page is well worth a browse for related events. There's plenty still to come as the year-long celebrations continue. Four hundred years in, and Leeds is just getting started.
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🎪 Kirkstall Festival Returned for Its 46th Year
Kirkstall Festival came back for its 46th edition on Saturday, taking over the magnificent grounds of Kirkstall Abbey with over 130 stalls, live music, a parade and a fairground. Best of all? Free entry for everyone.
Roughly 25,000 people turned up to enjoy the day, making it one of the biggest community gatherings in the Leeds calendar. This year's edition also doubled as part of the Leeds 400 celebrations.
The festival has been community-run throughout its 46-year history, which is no small feat. It remains one of those Leeds events that manages to feel both properly local and massive at the same time.
If you missed it this year, pop it in the diary for next summer. It really is one of the best free days out the city has to offer.
⚽ Leeds United Submit Plans for New Elland Road Fan Park
Leeds United officially submitted a planning application to Leeds City Council for a brand new Fan Park right next to Elland Road. The proposed venue would sit inside a recently acquired warehouse opposite the East Stand.
The plans include a 2,000-capacity multi-level venue with bar and seating areas, an outdoor courtyard, food and drink units, and a big screen for live events. Think match days, but also evenings, weekends and everything in between.
Nothing is approved yet, but if it gets the green light, it would be a brilliant addition to the matchday (and non-matchday) experience around the ground.
Honourable Mentions 📰
🏆 Leeds ranked one of the UK's friendliest cities — A MoneySuperMarket study analysing over 100,000 reviews of leisure and hospitality businesses across 107 cities worldwide placed Leeds 12th globally and 6th in the UK for friendly customer service. Ahead of Manchester and London. We knew it.
🐾 Giant balloon dogs arrive in Leeds for Pride — International artist Whatshisname has installed oversized balloon dog sculptures at Victoria Quarter and Victoria Gate (outside John Lewis) as part of a Pride-themed activation called "Two Milestones, One Pop of Pride", celebrating 20 years of Leeds Pride and 10 years of Victoria Gate. The display runs until the 27th of July.
🪨 Whinmoor school celebrates Leeds 400 with time capsules and hidden pebbles — Whinmoor St Paul's C of E Primary School has been getting creative for Leeds 400: every class is making a time capsule to be buried for future generations, and pupils have painted 400 pebbles and wooden discs to be hidden in local parks for the public to find. A lovely slice of community spirit from the city's birthday week.
Sports ⚽️
⚽ Harry Wilson signs for Leeds United — Wales international Harry Wilson, who contributed 10 goals and 7 assists for Fulham last season, has put pen to paper as Leeds United's first summer signing ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
🇺🇸 Leeds United confirm US tour fan events — Leeds United have confirmed a series of fan events tied to their US pre-season tour, with matches scheduled against Wrexham, Sunderland and Liverpool. The club described it as "an exciting couple of weeks" for the squad. Sounds like a good watch from the sofa for those of us not flying stateside.
🏉 Leeds Rhinos host Skills Summit at Headingley — Leeds Rhinos and Checkatrade co-hosted an inaugural Skills Summit at AMT Headingley Stadium to tackle youth unemployment and the NEET crisis. The event also launched Checkatrade's "Trade Jumpstart" initiative, aimed at helping young people get into the trades.
🦁 England beat Norway in World Cup quarter-final — Pubs all across Leeds were packed with fans as they watched England make it through to the World Cup semi-finals after a 2-1 win over Norway on Saturday night.
Arts & Culture 🎭
Events coming up this week…
⚔️ Genghis Khan Exhibition — Royal Armouries: The Royal Armouries' display on the Mongolian empire and the weapons and warfare of the Mongol armies remains open. (Ongoing through all of July)
🎵 Opera North's The Sound of Music — Leeds Grand Theatre: Opera North's acclaimed production, directed by Nikolai Foster and starring soprano Katie Bird as Maria alongside Edward Bennett as Captain von Trapp, is backed by the full 40-piece Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North. Tickets from £27.75. (Running all week, through to the 1st of August)
🖼️ Arp: The Plasters — Leeds Art Gallery: Leeds Art Gallery is showing a celebration of plaster sculptures by French-German modernist sculptor Jean (Hans) Arp (1886–1966), following the recent acquisition of works gifted by the Stiftung Arp. A rare chance to see Arp's intimate work up close in a city-centre gallery. (Running through to the 4th of October)
🏙️ Leeds 400: Places — The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery: Part of the year-long Leeds 400 celebrations, this free exhibition at the University of Leeds explores the city's history through the places that make Leeds, Leeds. A thoughtful companion to everything else going on this birthday week. (Running through to the 31st of October)
🏳️🌈 Leeds Pride 2026 — 20th Anniversary: Leeds Pride marks a milestone this year, running as a two-day event for the very first time. (Saturday 18th of July & Sunday 19th of July)
📜 Leeds in the 17th Century: Treasures Showcase — Leeds Central Library: Join the librarian team on the 2nd floor Gott Room to explore the history of Leeds in the 17th century through the Leeds Libraries Special Collections. A rare, hands-on chance to get up close with some genuinely important historical treasures. Pay As You Feel; book via the link. (Thursday, 16th of July)
Food & Business Updates 🍽️
New restaurants and places to try…
🥪 Shokupan: The beloved Wellington Street cafe known for its Japanese shokupan bread sandos is upsizing to a larger spot on Central Road. Exact opening date still to be confirmed, so keep an eye on their socials.
🍛 Dishoom Leeds: The highly anticipated Bombay-inspired restaurant is bringing its first-ever Yorkshire venue to Vicar Lane, between Victoria Gate and Victoria Quarter. A soft launch on the 3rd of August (with 50% off food) leads into the official opening on the 14th of August. Bookings for breakfast and lunch are already live.
🎾 Ollo Padel at the Roundhouse: Following planning approval this week, construction on an Ollo Padel venue inside The Roundhouse on Wellington Road will begin later in 2026, with an opening target of early 2027. The kitchen and bar will be run by Southbank Provisions, the team behind Headrow House and Belgrave Music Hall.
Live Music 🕺🏻
Upcoming gigs this week…
Brudenell Social Club — Jcuuzi + Kiosk + Aunty Freeda — Monday 13 July (Free Entry)
The Key Club — I Am The Avalanche — Tuesday 14 July
Leeds Irish Centre — Osees (Extra Date!) + Straight Arrows — Wednesday 15 July (£27.50 adv)
The Wardrobe — Flo & Joan — Wednesday 15 July
Hyde Park Book Club — Midway Still — Wednesday 15 July
Hyde Park Book Club — Bold as Brass (multi-act showcase) — Friday 17 July (£7 adv / £9 OTD)
Brudenell Social Club — Limehouse Lizzy (Thin Lizzy Tribute) — Friday 17 July (£23 adv)
Project House — Quiet Steps Festival — Friday 17 & Saturday 18 July
Brudenell Social Club — Echoes of the Bunnymen + True Order — Saturday 18 July (£17.50 adv)
Brudenell Social Club — The Dickies + Guests — Saturday 18 July (£24 adv)
On this day 📖
On this day in 1985, one of the greatest events in music history took place when Live Aid was broadcast simultaneously from Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. Organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia, the concert featured Queen, David Bowie, U2, Madonna and many more of the biggest names on the planet 🎤
Thanks!
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