Down on Kirkstall Lane sits a sad-looking abandoned pub that was once the life and soul of the party.
Kirkstall Lites has lain empty for years, but at one point it was packed to the rafters with locals enjoying a pint together and maybe even a boogie.
The purpose-built pub and bar first opened as a Tetley House in the 80s, replacing the then-recently demolished Abbey and Sovereign pub. By all accounts, it was very popular with locals and was generally ram-packed with drinkers on the weekends.
However, for various reasons including the rise in the popularity (and affordability)of drinking at home, the pub eventually closed its doors for good in 2004 having suffered a long decline in the years leading up to its final shuttering.
Having lain empty for more than a decade now, it's become somewhat of a mystery to those who pass by its desolate, boarded-up exterior. Keen to discover what it was like inside, urban explorer Kyle Urbex recently made it inside.
His pictures give a unique insight into how the pub looks today, seventeen years later. From its heyday as a popular Tetley pub to the abandoned and decaying building it is today, Kirkstall Lites has definitely had a fall from grace.
Still, there are some remnants to be seen from its glory days - captured wonderfully by photographer Kyle, right down to the pictures still tacked onto the walls from years gone by.
It's not the only pub to have suffered such a fate, with neighbouring boozers the George IV and a W.M. club also closing their doors in recent years.
local photographer, Thomas Ackroyd, has said that the pub as it is now "mirrors the rest of the area round there and is looking very tatty and now the metal boards of doom have replaced the wooden ones"
That said, when Kyle managed to make his way in he said he was "surprised" to find memories of happier days still tacked on to the walls.
Speaking to Leeds Live he also registered his shock that so many of its features remained intact, such as the "stage area where CJ's music bar once hosted many happy and wild nights and bands."
Another urban explorer, who runs the Facebook page Lost Places & Forgotten Faces, also visited the pub in June and shared his not-so-positive thoughts in a post on social media:
"The place is an absolute wreck. Fire damage, weather damage and chav damage have all collaborated to transform Kirkstall Lites into a crumbling death trap.
"Under all the destruction, I could just about make out what actually looked like a once fun and vibrant establishment for locals.
"Some photographic memories of happier times are still somehow clinging to the walls, and the brickwork in parts, especially the old fireplace, is actually holding up. It won't be long now before this one is ripped to the ground. What a shame."
Take a look around the pub by exploring Kyle's images below:
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 -
3rd September 2021 
