THE LEEDS BRIEF ⏰ Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Good morning Leeds - Tuesday 12 May. Leeds United are still not mathematically safe after drawing at Spurs last night, but they are closer than ever. A beloved community institution has gone from Bramley. The city's new police chief has been named. And a Caribbean street food restaurant is opening its doors in Trinity Kitchen as you read this. Let's go. 👇

⚽ SPORT

🤝 Leeds 1-1 Tottenham - survival still to be confirmed, but the Whites were excellent - Leeds United fought back from a goal down to earn a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last night in a result that leaves them needing just one point from their final two league games to confirm Premier League survival. Mathys Tel opened the scoring in the 50th minute with a stunning curling finish from outside the box. Still, the Frenchman undid his own good work when he caught Ethan Ampadu with a needless overhead kick inside the area — Dominic Calvert-Lewin converting the resulting penalty emphatically to level. Late on, substitute Sean Longstaff hammered an effort that Antonín Kinsky tipped onto the crossbar, in a moment that summed up a breathless finish. Leeds' defensive structure away from home was largely excellent. De Zerbi, who called his side's performance "fighting against relegation", now sees Spurs sit two points above the drop zone with two games left. Leeds remain on 44 points. Their next game is at home against Burnley on Saturday. (Sources: TNT Sports · NBC Sports)

🗳️ POST-ELECTION

💬 Jonathan Pryor speaks out: "Elections are brutal - once you lose, you lose your job overnight" - Former Leeds City Council deputy leader Jonathan Pryor has broken his silence after being ousted from his Headingley and Hyde Park seat last Thursday by the Greens' Nilesh Chohan by 4,334 votes to 1,278. In a heartfelt post, Pryor wrote: "People may have seen that I lost the election in Headingley & Hyde Park last week. This was a role I truly loved, and elections are brutal in that once you lose, you lose your job overnight." He listed some of his proudest achievements - including helping bring the Leeds Marathon back. Tellingly, he also ran the marathon last Sunday for the fourth time. Labour council leader James Lewis said he was "hugely disappointed" and added: "I know Jonathan will be back." New Green councillor Nilesh Chohan, who was born and bred in Headingley, said he was "lost for words" and spoke of his 15 years volunteering in the community. The future political arrangements for Leeds City Council are due to be confirmed at the annual full council meeting on 20 May. (Sources: Yorkshire Evening Post · WLD)

🗳️ Labour's West Yorkshire heartlands aren't Labour anymore - Last week's local elections dramatically reshuffled power across West Yorkshire. Labour, which had controlled all five councils in the region, lost its majority in Leeds and was swept from power in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, and — most strikingly - Wakefield, where Reform UK now holds 58 of 63 seats. In Leeds, Labour remains the largest party but will need support from others, likely the Greens, to pass key decisions. Across the region, many new Reform councillors are entering local government for the first time, with coalition negotiations ongoing in several areas. BBC News

🏃 ROB BURROW MARATHON - FINAL FIGURES

🏆 £14.1 million raised since 2023 - and a first-ever dedicated MND Wave - The full picture from Sunday's Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is extraordinary. Over the marathon's four-year history, a record-breaking £14.1 million has now been raised for charities - an amount that Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield called "14.1 million reasons" why this is his favourite event of the year. Sunday's 2026 edition introduced the first-ever dedicated MND Wave, with eight people living with MND completing the marathon and half marathon in wheelchairs, supported by teams - believed to be the largest participation of people connected to the MND community at any mass participation running event. The marathon returns Sunday 9 May 2027. (Sources: Yorkshire Evening Post · T&A · Run For All)

🚨 CRIME & POLICE

👮‍♀️ Meet Leeds' new police chief - King's Medal detective with 20 years in homicide and organised crime - Detective Chief Superintendent Heather Whoriskey has been named as Leeds' new District Commander — the most senior officer responsible for policing across the city. She took the helm last month, succeeding Chief Superintendent Steve Dodds. DCS Whoriskey was awarded the King's Police Medal in this year's New Year Honours for her operational skill, strategic leadership and commitment to public service. She spent 15 years at the Police Service of Northern Ireland before moving to West Yorkshire Police, and most recently served as acting Assistant Chief Constable. Her career has spanned homicide investigation, serious and organised crime, and safeguarding. She told the YEP: "Leeds is the largest district in West Yorkshire and also one of the biggest in the country. Making sure we get our approach to domestic abuse right and that we are protecting vulnerable people in our communities are an absolute priority for me." (Sources: Yorkshire Evening Post · West Yorkshire Police)

💰 You can vote on how £100,000 of criminal assets gets spent tackling serious violence in Leeds - Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin has put Leeds' £100,000 share of her People's Fund - money recovered directly from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act - up for a community vote. Local organisations will pitch their projects to residents, and the projects with the most votes on the night will receive grants of up to £10,000 to tackle knife crime, organised crime, violence against women and girls and other serious violence. The You Decide event is at Carr Manor Community School in Moortown on Wednesday 20 May, 5.45pm–9pm. Sign up in advance online at westyorks-ca.gov.uk. (Source: Yorkshire Evening Post)

✈️ AVIATION

🚨 Ryanair Warsaw-Leeds flight declares emergency over the Netherlands - diverts to Amsterdam - A Ryanair Boeing 737-800 operating flight FR7665 from Warsaw to Leeds Bradford Airport declared an emergency over Dutch airspace on Monday evening and diverted to Amsterdam Schiphol. The aircraft — registration EI-EKM, a 16-year-old 737-8AS — began descending rapidly through Dutch airspace before landing safely at around 7.51pm UK time. A trauma helicopter was activated at Schiphol. The reason for the emergency was confirmed as a medical emergency onboard. Operations were not disrupted following the landing. Leeds Bradford Airport has not yet commented. (Source: The Aviation Hub)

💔 COMMUNITY

☕ Bramley Community Café and Bramley Community Shop both close - In a painful blow for the Bramley community, both the Bramley Community Café and Bramley Community Shop at Bramley Shopping Centre closed their doors on Monday. Both were run by Upbeat Community Interest Company - set up in 2006 to raise money to support the work of Bramley Elderly Action. After 15 years of the community shop and just over a year of the café - launched in February 2025 following a delayed opening and a £12,000 crowdfunding campaign - Upbeat CIC is understood to be going into liquidation. A spokesperson said it was a "heartbreaking commercial decision": "Both have been socially successful. However, both the community café and the shop have been losing money. These are very difficult times in which to trade." The closures are separate from Bramley Elderly Action itself, which is financially sustainable and continues to operate. (Source: West Leeds Dispatch)

👶 Leeds Baby Bank pram appeal: every waiting family is now sorted — but highchairs needed next - Leeds Baby Bank's pram appeal has been a huge success. Sarah Cohen, unit manager, said: "Thanks to supporters all over our city, we have received lots of prams! So many, in fact, that we have been able to give a pram to every family who has a newborn or a baby due soon and needs a pram but is unable to afford one." Donations are still arriving and being cleaned by volunteers. And now? "We wonder if the people of Leeds might have a highchair or two they no longer need!" Drop off at the Leeds Baby Bank hub near Armley Gyratory - book your drop-off slot at leedsbabybank.org/donate-items. (Source: West Leeds Dispatch)

🎭 ARTS & CULTURE

🎭 Leeds Playhouse reveals Tom Wright's first full season - The Grinch, Frankenstein and a world premiere - Leeds Playhouse has announced Artistic Director Tom Wright's inaugural full season - running from Autumn 2026 to Summer 2027. Highlights include a revival of August Wilson's Fences (September, co-production with Headlong and Lyric Hammersmith); How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical (November 2026 – January 2027, directed by Wright himself); Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (March 2027); Tom Wright's world premiere new piece Sirens (March–April 2027); a new adaptation of The Secret Garden (April–May 2027); and a new version of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (May 2027), adapted and directed by Leeds-raised Jeff James. The season closes with Little Shop of Horrors (June–July 2027). Full details at leedsplayhouse.org.uk. (Source: Love London Love Culture)

🎷 Leeds Jazz Festival returns 21–26 May - biggest lineup yet - Now in its fifth year, Leeds Jazz Festival returns for six days across the city from Thursday 21 to Tuesday 26 May, taking in the Bank Holiday weekend. The lineup features Leeds-formed boundary-pushers Submotion Orchestra at The Wardrobe; Donovan Haffner (fresh from winning "Jazz Newcomer of the Year" at the UK Parliamentary Jazz Awards) at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton; two nights celebrating Miles Davis's 100th birthday at The Domino Club; an intimate Bank Holiday Monday performance from Mercury Music Prize-nominated pianist Kit Downes at Mill Hill Chapel; and a Cuban music and dance night at Howard Assembly Room curated by DJ Lubi. Most events are ticketed; some are free. Full programme at leedsjazzfestival.com. (Source: The Hoot Leeds)

🍽️ FOOD & DRINK

🌶️ Jerk Junction opens at Trinity Kitchen TODAY - Caribbean jerk chicken, curried goat and dumplings - Caribbean street food favourite Jerk Junction - which has already made waves in Manchester and Liverpool - is opening its doors at Trinity Kitchen, Trinity Leeds from noon today (Tuesday 12 May). The menu centres on authentic flame-grilled Caribbean flavours: jerk chicken, curried goat, rice and peas, and dumplings. (Source: The Hoot Leeds)

🍺 Hop City beer festival returns to Leeds - 35+ indie breweries, this Friday and Saturday - Northern Monk's Hop City returns to The Old Flax Store for its ninth year on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 May — bringing together 35+ independent breweries from the UK, Europe and North America with approximately 250 different beers, all included in the ticket price alongside a Hop City branded glass. UK breweries including Beak (Brighton), Deya (Cheltenham) and Track (Manchester) join US breweries Trillium and Finback, plus food from Bundobust, Bonehead and Hermanos Caliente. Tickets at northernmonk.com/pages/hop-city. (Source: The Hoot Leeds)

💼 BUSINESS

🚲 Ribble Cycles opens at Cotswold Outdoor Leeds - custom bikes since 1897, now on Albion Place - Preston-based Ribble Cycles - which has been building bikes since 1897 and counts Yorkshire riders Jenson Young and Harry Tanfield as ambassadors - opened a dedicated in-store space at Cotswold Outdoor on Albion Place on Monday. The concept lets customers explore the Road, Gravel, Hybrid and Electric range, get expert sizing advice, and configure a bespoke build via Ribble's CustomColour service. A one-off ULTRA-AERO SL R LS1 Edition in white, yellow and blue — drawing on Leeds' sporting colours — takes pride of place in the store window. More at ribblecycles.co.uk/leeds-bike-store. (Sources: BikeBiz · 365 Retail)

⚖️ Where are all the good lawyers going? #business #professional services A report published today by the lawyer raises concerns that Leeds is struggling to retain and attract senior legal talent. The city's legal sector has long been seen as a strong regional hub, anchored by firms like Addleshaw Goddard, Walker Morris, and Clarion Solicitors — but the piece suggests the pipeline of top-flight lawyers is thinning. The full analysis is behind a paywall, but the headline alone is likely to prompt reflection across the Yorkshire legal community. The Lawyer

🏗️ Architecture firm CPMG opens Leeds studio in Park Square - CPMG Architects - a practice with studios in Nottingham, London and Birmingham, plus international hubs in China and India - has opened a new Leeds studio at Park Square, led by associate director Alex Walker. Both Walker and fellow director Nick Gregory are from the Leeds area. CPMG specialises in education, healthcare, residential and industrial sectors. Walker said: "We believe Leeds is the ideal base for us to realise our growth ambitions across Yorkshire and surrounding regions." (Source: The Business Desk)

🎓 Leeds Beckett KTPs earn Outstanding ratings - pet treats in Sainsbury's and export growth - Two Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) between Leeds Beckett University and Yorkshire businesses have achieved the highest possible grading of Outstanding from Innovate UK - a rating earned by fewer than 20% of KTP projects nationally. The Sniffers Pet Care project launched the NAW natural pet treat brand into Sainsbury's and Morrisons, achieving a 60% returning customer rate. The Ardent project introduced a new international marketing strategy leading directly to increased exports. Both KTP Associates are Leeds Beckett graduates. (Source: Leeds Beckett)

🏗️ PLANNING

🏚️ Plans to demolish 1924 Otley shopping parade - second attempt after first refused - New plans have been submitted to Leeds City Council to demolish a row of shops and flats on Weston Lane in Otley — a parade of traditional brick and tile construction dating back to 1924 with stone detailing. The first application was refused last month after the council said insufficient information had been provided on the impact of the demolition. The new application is now being considered by planning officers, with the applicant proposing Monday to Friday demolition works between 8am and 4.30pm over a four-week period. Two letters of objection were previously submitted, raising concerns over the loss of shops and flats in the area. (Source: Yorkshire Evening Post)

🏘️ Armley land sold for housing - up to 30+ homes planned for Mistress Lane - Leeds City Council has sold a vacant plot at Mistress Lane in Armley to a developer after the site was deemed surplus to requirements. More than 30 apartments and houses could be built on the land, which was previously allocated for an affordable housing scheme from Leeds Community Homes — a plan that secured planning permission in 2021 but was never built and has since expired. The council said the sale relieves it of ongoing maintenance costs. (Source: West Leeds Dispatch)

🌿 COMMUNITY & EVENTS

🦉 Owls at Calverley Old Hall open days - this Saturday and Sunday - This weekend's open days at Calverley Old Hall (Grade I listed, formerly on Historic England's at-risk register) feature a live owl display from SMJ Falconry — fitting given owls appear on the Calverley family crest — alongside a free collagraph printmaking activity. Open Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May, 10am–4pm. Booking preferred at eventbrite.co.uk. Free entry, donations welcome. (Source: West Leeds Dispatch)

🧠 Mental Health Awareness Week is THIS week — Leeds Mind asks you to take action - Mental Health Awareness Week runs from Monday 11 to Sunday 17 May, with this year's theme Take Action. Leeds Mind is encouraging people to check in with friends, take screen breaks, get outside, and access support if needed. An awareness stall and wellbeing talk will be held at Aire Park on Thursday 14 May, 11.30am–2pm. Visit leedsmind.org.uk or call 0113 305 5800. (Source: Leeds Mind)

🚗 Transport & Roads

🚗 A car ended up on its roof in North Leeds last night - A serious road traffic collision in North Leeds on Monday evening left a car flipped upside down on Stainbeck Lane, at the junction with Parkside Road and Stonegate Road. Images from the scene show the vehicle's airbags deployed and a roadside railing bent out of shape. West Yorkshire Police were on the scene and an investigation has been launched. No information on injuries has been confirmed at the time of writing. Leeds Live