A Yorkshire workspace company has bought Aire Street Workshops from Leeds City Council for an undisclosed sum.
You may remember around this time last year Aire Street Workshops was under threat from Leeds City Council, as a whole host of creative independents were about to be pushed out of their space.
Almost a year later the 23,000 sq ft building has been purchased by WorkWell, a Yorkshire-based office operator that is known for designing technology-led workspaces that promote hybrid working and productivity.
They have vowed to improve the interior of the building whilst offering the current occupiers workspaces after taking over the building.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
WorkWell plans to retain Aire Street Workshops commercial use.
Oliver Corrigan, managing director of WorkWell, said: “We are pleased to allay any fears the current occupiers had about the building being sold and converted into flats. As a leading provider of serviced office space, we plan to improve the working environment of the building over the coming months.
“All the current occupiers will be offered space in the much-improved workspace.”
The history of Aire Street Workshops
The building started life as Poole’s, a surgical boot manufacturing company before being left derelict in the 70s, prior to the takeover from Leeds City Council in 1980.
Coverting into a multi-purpose space was funded by Department for the Environment Urban Development Programme and Leeds City Council and eventually opened in 1981 by the Lord Mayor of Leeds as a space for small and medium businesses to thrive, and this has had a particular focus on nurturing younger business owners over the years.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
30-34 Aire Street is now home to 26 units, housing 37 small businesses across four floors. Each unit is around 400-500 sq ft, and house unique start up businesses.
The venture itself was the very first scheme if its kind in Leeds and owners LCVS, an independent, not-for-profit company, report that ” It has been a phenomenal success story that serves to offer opportunities to a diverse array of companies. A melting pot where people work together to generate growth in an ambitious city.”
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
Clementine Hall
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Clementine Hall -
17th March 2025 
