Good morning, Leeds. Welcome to this week's edition of the Leeds Scoop. The Rhinos are flying, the food scene is buzzing, and the city has one eye on a very exciting date on the calendar. Oh, and Dishoom opens today. Yes, today. You're welcome.
Let's get to it.
News 🗞️
The biggest stories from the past week…
🚴 One Year to Go: Leeds Counts Down to Tour de France Femmes Grand Départ
A pop-up event in City Square on 30 July marked exactly one year until Leeds hosts the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, and it's a genuinely historic milestone. Leeds will become the first city outside mainland Europe to have hosted the Grand Départ for both the men's and women's editions of the Tour de France.
The city last hosted the men's Grand Départ back in 2014 (an event many Loiners still talk about), and the buzz around this one is building fast. Expect the excitement to ramp up considerably over the next twelve months as the city gears up for another unforgettable moment on the world cycling stage.
If you weren't around for the 2014 edition, or you want to relive it, now's the time to start getting excited. The 2027 Grand Départ promises to be every bit as spectacular, and this time it'll be the women leading the charge through our streets.
Honourable Mentions 📰
☕ "Moods" Opens Inside Leeds' Oldest Commercial Building — A brand new all-day café, bar and events venue called Moods opened on 31 July inside the First White Cloth Hall on Kirkgates. The site was previously on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register before being lovingly restored and brought back to public life.
❤️ Free NHS Heart Health Checks for Over-40s — Leeds City Council launched a push on 28 July urging thousands of residents aged over 40 to book a free NHS Health Check at their GP surgery, aimed at catching cardiovascular disease early. Worth a look if you haven't had one.
Sports ⚽️
⚽ Leeds United 1–0 Sunderland (Pre-Season, USA) — Daniel Farke's side got their first pre-season win in New Jersey with an unusual long-range goal from Lukas Nmecha separating the sides in the early hours of 31 July (UK time). Next up for the Whites is a final US friendly against Liverpool in Chicago.
🏉 Leeds Rhinos 46–0 Toulouse Olympique — Jake Connor starred with two tries and seven goals as Super League leaders the Rhinos put Toulouse to the sword in a dominant home victory on 31 July, with 15,249 fans at Headingley to enjoy it. Leeds stay two points clear at the top of Super League.
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Arts & Culture 🎭
Events coming up this week…
🚶 A Sketch Walk - Kirkstall Abbey: Join Leeds Sanctuary and local artist and historian Clifford Stead for a guided sketch walk around Kirkstall Abbey, taking in the history of the site while doing a spot of drawing — no experience needed, and paper and pencil are provided. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, ranging from £5.50 to £16, with free tickets available on request. (Tuesday, 4 August, 5:30pm)
👤 Shadow Structures — Leeds Art Gallery: Artist Tess Hardy leads a playful family sculpture workshop inspired by AI-generated images, exploring shadows and shapes. Part of the summer holiday programme at Leeds Art Gallery. Pay What You Can. (Tuesday, 4 August – Tuesday, 18 August)
🎨 Treasures Showcase — Leeds Central Library: Get hands-on with highlights from the library's Special Collections on the themes of Art, Literature and Entertainment, with staff on hand to guide you through everything from national costumes and fairy tales to ghostbusting and the works of Shakespeare and Blake. Free to attend at the Gott Room on the 2nd floor of Leeds Central Library. (Wednesday, 5 August)
🧙♂️ Folkloric Sculptures Family Workshop — Henry Moore Institute: Join artist and zine writer Bunty Marshall to create sculptures inspired by folklore traditions, weaving corn dolly charms from recycled electric cables and crafting weird and wonderful characters inspired by British folklore. There are two sessions on the day (morning and afternoon), designed for families with children aged 6+, and adults are very much encouraged to get stuck in too. Free, but booking in advance is required. (Wednesday, 6 August)
Food & Business Updates 🍽️
New restaurants and places to try…
🇮🇳 Dishoom: The hugely anticipated Bombay-inspired café group opens its Leeds doors today (3 August) in the Grade II-listed former Flannels building on Vicar Lane, with 50% off food during the soft-launch period ahead of the official opening on 14 August. Get there.
☕ Moods at First White Cloth Hall: Leeds' newest all-day café, bar and events venue opened its doors on 31 July inside the historic First White Cloth Hall on Kirkgate, with full food service from a Michelin-trained chef now underway from 1 August.
🍕 Franco Manca — Closed: The sourdough pizza chain Franco Manca has permanently shut its Leeds restaurant on Trinity Street after seven years, with hoardings now up at the site following a wider company restructuring. It'll be missed by many.
Live Music 🕺🏻
Upcoming gigs this week…
Hyde Park Book Club — Meatbodies — Wednesday, 5 August
Leeds Grand Theatre — Sounds of the 60s Live (hosted by Tony Blackburn MBE) — Wednesday, 5 August
Hyde Park Book Club — Chaepter (Chicago) + LULA 'Radcliffe' Release Party — Thursday, 6 August
Hyde Park Book Club — Lorena & The Tide (Wildfire UK Tour) — Friday, 7 August
Mint Warehouse — Boss Priester All Night Long — Friday, 7 August
Beaver Works — REJUVENATION Summer All-Dayer — Saturday, 8 August
Brudenell Social Club — Steve Gunn + Big Warm Bed + Milly Renu — Sunday, 9 August
Thanks!
That’s all for this week! Thanks for reading the Leeds Scoop today. If you found anything useful or interesting, please consider sharing our newsletter with a friend.