Organisers of Mint Festival have canceled this year's festival in a shock move, just months before it was due to take place at Leeds' Newsam Farm.
Citing the rising costs of petrol, production and transport in the UK, the team behind the festival has shared their decision to cancel the 2022 event in a long, heartfelt post shared to social media on Tuesday afternoon.
Describing the decision to postpone as a 'painful' one, they went on to explain that as an independent festival they have proudly 'operated without corporate sponsorship' for years - and want to keep doing so in the future.
Explaining the decision to cancel this year's September festival, the post said: "For reasons beyond our control this year now looks to be impossible.
"Almost everything required to put on a festival has gone up in price, from fuel to production, staging, transport and crew to name a few.
"This is something we know you will all be feeling too, so we are not willing to simply pass on our costs."
Organisers continued: "While we have been leading the way for a decade, there are now many more festivals that are competing over similar artists.
"Add in the lingering effect of the pandemic, a nationwide backlog of post-pandemic events, and it paints a difficult picture."
Explaining that they'd rather "hit pause" on this year's festival in order to avoid "squeezing more money out of you for tickets, drinks and food", they went on to reassure festival-goers they will be "working hard over the next year to build our own infrastructure which will ensure we can be more sustainable for years to come."
Image: Mint Festival
The post added: "We're as disappointed as you are with this news. We massively appreciate your support n these testing times because without you there would be no Mint Festival. But we will be back, bigger and better than ever in 2023."
As a result of the last-minute cancellation of this year's event, all 2022 tickets will automatically move over to Mint Festival 2023.
However, refunds are also available in full, and those wanting a refund of their 2022 ticket are being advised to contact their ticketing provider.
Feature image - Mint Festival
News
Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
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.
Georgina Pellant -
28th June 2022 
