THE LEEDS BRIEF ⏰ Tuesday, 3 November 2026
Leeds station's new entrance delayed again by a lift problem, the airport backs a parkway station, Bramley's bus depot bought for Weaver, and ghosts at parkrun.
Morning, Leeds! 🚉 The big one: the new New Station Street entrance at Leeds station has been held up yet again, and this time the council has confirmed it's a problem with one of the lifts. Also today: airport bosses push for a parkway station, the combined authority buys the Bramley bus depot for its new Weaver buses, an Otley Run bar fights back over planning, and a lot of ghosts out running in Armley and Bramley.
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🚉 Leeds station's new entrance delayed again by a lift problem
The opening of the new New Station Street entrance at Leeds station has hit another setback, and for the first time Leeds City Council has confirmed that a problem with the lifts is to blame. The lifts link New Station Street with Bishopgate Street, and the council says an issue with one of them is holding up essential safety testing. A council spokesperson said they are working to fix it "as soon as possible" so the final parts of the scheme can open "imminently", but the council wouldn't say when that will be. The £46.1 million improvement scheme has been under way since May 2022 and was originally due to finish by September 2025. It was first pushed back to February 2026, and the YEP counts five more delays since then. The pavements along Bishopgate Street, behind the new taxi shelter, opened at the start of October, and the rest was due to follow by the end of the month. So for now, keep allowing a bit of extra time if you use that side of the station.
👉 Read the full story at the YEP
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📰 NEWS
✈️ Airport bosses back a parkway station
Leeds Bradford Airport says it "unequivocally" supports a proposed railway station for the airport, after a report it commissioned called a new parkway station "transformational for the region". The station is estimated to cost about £65m. It was first proposed more than a decade ago and an outline business case was approved in 2020, but little has happened since. Chief executive Vincent Hodder said the airport recognises the financial pressures on big infrastructure projects, but urged everyone involved to "maintain momentum".
👉 Read more: West Leeds Dispatch · BBC News
🚌 Bramley and Hunslet bus depots bought for the Weaver Network
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has agreed to buy five depots from FirstGroup, including First's Henconner Lane depot in Bramley and its Hunslet site, to house buses for the new publicly owned Weaver Network. Round one services, covering Kirklees and parts of Leeds, start in spring 2027, and round two, mainly parts of Leeds and Wakefield, in early 2028. Mayor Tracy Brabin said the depots will help "house, refuel and maintain hundreds of vehicles".
👉 Read the full story at West Leeds Dispatch
🍺 Otley Run bar appeals after planning refusal
Taylor's Sports Bar and Grill, near the start of the Otley Run, has appealed against Leeds City Council's refusal of retrospective permission to change from a restaurant to a bar, with more food and a decked outdoor seating area. Planners refused it in September on road safety grounds, with highways officers saying drinkers drift across Otley Road away from the crossings. The appeal says the road is "lightly trafficked" with slow speeds. The application drew 107 letters of support and 160 objections, including from the three Weetwood councillors. A decision on the appeal is yet to be made.
👉 Read the full story at the YEP
🌱 Kirkstall Valley Farm hit by repeated vandalism
The team at Kirkstall Valley Farm say vandalism at the community farm has got "worse and worse" over the past two years, with torched caravans, smashed playhouses and ripped-out CCTV. Adele Rae, chief executive of Kirkstall Valley Development Trust, said money spent picking up the pieces is money they'd otherwise use to feed people and run affordable family events. The farm supplies 135 veg boxes a week, with more than 40 people waiting to join. West Yorkshire Police are appealing for information.
👉 Read the full story at BBC News
🪨 Council DNA-marks Yorkshire stone after thefts
Leeds City Council received 24 reports of stolen York stone paving across the city last year, and has been trialling forensic DNA marking to deter thieves. The SelectaDNA system sprays on invisible microdots that can be picked up with UV lights, microscopes or trained tracker dogs. The council says missing slabs leave trip hazards and costly repairs, as well as chipping away at the character of older neighbourhoods.
👉 Read the full story at the YEP
🏙️ AROUND THE CITY
⛪ Christ Church Armley's roof is done
After five years of fundraising, Christ Church in Upper Armley has finished more than £200,000 of roof restoration, replacing the roofs over the north and south aisles and the vestry and improving insulation at the Grade II listed church. Efforts included the Reverend Phil Arnold swimming 21 miles at Armley Leisure Centre in May 2025, and a 127-mile Liverpool to Leeds bike ride. The church said thank you at a special All Saints' Day service on Sunday.
👉 Read the full story at West Leeds Dispatch
🛒 Kirkstall Morrisons to close for a refit
Morrisons in Kirkstall will close from Sunday 15 November and reopen on Thursday 26 November for refurbishment, including new fridges and freezers. The petrol station and click and collect stay open.
👉 Read the full story at West Leeds Dispatch
🍝 Prezzo coming to the White Rose
Prezzo Italian is opening a new restaurant at the White Rose Shopping Centre, creating more than 20 jobs, and is recruiting now, from chefs to front of house. No opening date yet.
👉 Read the full story at Leeds Live
🏠 Wortley Rec's old park keeper's lodge up for auction
The former park keeper's cottage in the middle of Wortley Rec, dating from 1895, goes to online auction on 9 and 10 November with a guide price of £130,000. It's privately owned and currently let.
👉 Read the full story at West Leeds Dispatch
🍂 Remembrance service for road crash victims
The annual Oakleaf Remembrance Service for people killed or injured on the roads is at Leeds Minster, Kirkgate, at 3pm on Sunday 15 November. Families can bring photos of loved ones, and oak leaves to write names on will be available on arrival. It's open to everyone.
👉 Read the full story at the YEP
⚽ SPORT
Spurs up next as Leeds count the injuries
Leeds host Tottenham at Elland Road on Saturday at 12.30pm, the last game before the international break. After Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth, Leeds are 11th and five games without a win, while Spurs are eighth after three straight wins. Noah Okafor is a doubt with an adductor problem, Joe Rodon has started training with the team again but Spurs may come too soon for him, and Anton Stach is still managing a foot problem.
👉 Read the full story at the YEP
Club to remember fan Colin Westby
Leeds United will pay tribute in the 68th minute on Saturday to Colin Westby, 68, a season ticket holder for more than 50 years, who died after falling ill in the stands before the Manchester United game on 18 October.
👉 Read the full story at BBC News
🎭 CULTURE
🎸 Gigs this week
Tonight (Tuesday 3 November) Nick Hakim plays the Brudenell (£22.50), with Tom Rowley in the Attic (£17.50) and Cootie Catcher in the Lending Room (£14). Wednesday has Dave Lofts (£15) and a free-entry Saccades gig. On Saturday Yard Act play O2 Academy Leeds (£28; Friday's show is sold out). Six is at the Grand Theatre all week.
👉 Read more: Brudenell Social Club · Leeds Live
📅 THIS WEEK IN LEEDS
👑 All week: Six at the Grand Theatre, until Saturday.
🎆 Thursday 5 November: Bonfire Night.
🎤 Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November: Yard Act at O2 Academy Leeds.
⚽ Saturday 7 November, 12.30pm: Leeds United v Tottenham at Elland Road.
🎖️ Sunday 8 November: Remembrance Sunday.
🏠 Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 November: Wortley Rec lodge auction.
🍂 Sunday 15 November, 3pm: Oakleaf Remembrance Service at Leeds Minster.
Sources: Leeds Live · Brudenell Social Club · Leeds United · West Leeds Dispatch · YEP
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👻 AND FINALLY...
Low cloud and mist made for the perfect spooky setting at Armley and Bramley parkruns on Saturday, where runners and volunteers turned out as ghosts, ghouls, witches and the odd inflatable costume for Hallowe'en. Armley had 187 runners and 19 volunteers, Bramley 206 runners and 35 volunteers, and Bramley junior parkrun joined in too. Nothing scarier than a hill finish.
👉 Read the full story at West Leeds Dispatch
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