THE LEEDS BRIEF ⏰ Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Good morning Leeds - Tuesday 19 May. Leeds United's final home game ended with a last-gasp winner and a lap of honour. The club's owners are signing a transformational deal today. A Leeds surgeon pulled off a UK first. And UKREiiF, the UK's biggest property conference, is happening right here in the city at a venue that's simultaneously just gone up for sale. Let's go. 👇

⚽ SPORT

🏟️ Elland Road MoU signed TODAY - 53,000-seat stadium, 2,500 homes and trams - Lowy Family Group, Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority are signing a Memorandum of Understanding today at UKREiiF, committing to transform the Elland Road site jointly. The masterplan includes the stadium expanding from 37,645 to 53,000 capacity — West Stand construction already underway - alongside 2,500 new homes, leisure and retail space, new public spaces and a tram link to the city centre. Chancellor Rachel Reeves backed the project via a new Stadium Regeneration Accelerator programme. (Sources: Yorkshire Post · Place Yorkshire)

🏛️ POLITICS

🗳️ Andy Burnham lays out his devolution manifesto - in Leeds - Andy Burnham addressed the Great North Investment Summit in Leeds yesterday, in what amounted to the clearest statement yet of his political vision. He called for maximum devolution of power and resources from Whitehall to local government, an end to national agencies overriding combined authorities, and a transfer of civil servants directly to regions. He also distanced himself from Wes Streeting's EU rejoin position. The Makerfield by-election — his route back to Westminster — is expected on 18 June, with NEC approval confirmed on 15 May. (Sources: Yorkshire Post · New Statesman)

🏛️ Leeds annual council meeting TOMORROW - Labour minority confirmed - Leeds City Council meets at the Civic Hall tomorrow (Wednesday 20 May) to confirm political arrangements for the new year. Labour — down to 47 seats after election losses and one councillor moving to sit as an independent — is expected to form a minority administration led by James Lewis. The first time the city has operated without a majority party in over a decade. (Sources: South Leeds Life · West Leeds Dispatch)

💼 BUSINESS & DEVELOPMENT

🏗️ UKREiiF lands in Leeds this week - and the venue is simultaneously up for sale - UKREiiF — the UK's biggest real estate and infrastructure conference — is at Leeds Dock (New Dock), 19–21 May, drawing over 16,000 delegates and 4,000+ investors. In a striking twist, the very estate hosting the event has been put on the market for £10.75 million following the administration of owner Leaseco 23. Cushman & Wakefield is managing the sale of the 137,700 sq ft mixed-use South Bank site, home to Tesco, Pizza Express, Luminate Education Group and others. (Sources: BE News · Place Yorkshire)

🎂 Get Baked: Leeds closure, London opening - Get Baked - Leeds' cult bakery, home of the 24-layer Bertha cake - closed its Headingley store in February after a steep rent rise made it impossible to continue. Now founder Rich Myers has confirmed the brand is opening a permanent London store on Tavistock Street, Covent Garden in July, in collaboration with speciality popcorn shop Godfrey's. The Manchester store remains open and nationwide delivery sells out within minutes. (Sources: Yorkshire Evening Post)

📱 Abu Bakr supermarket hits 15 million social media views - Leeds' Abu Bakr Group, a family supermarket business since 1987, has surpassed 15 million views across TikTok and Instagram, with customers reportedly travelling from London, Birmingham and Sheffield after discovering it online. The chain operates five stores including Kirkstall Road, Queens Road and Roundhay Road, employs 400+ staff and has more stores planned. (Source: Retail Times)

🧗 Climb26 business festival returns to Leeds in July - Climb26 is back at the Royal Armouries and Leeds Dock on 1–2 July for its fourth year, focused this year on tackling unequal access to investment — including the fact that all-female founding teams still receive around 2% of UK venture capital. 40+ workshops, pitch sessions, investor networking and sector meetups across two days. Tickets at climbuk.com. (Source: BusinessCloud)

🏥 HEALTH & SCIENCE

🧠 UK first: Leeds surgeons operate on brain aneurysm through the eye socket - Surgeons at Leeds Teaching Hospitals have carried out the UK's first brain aneurysm clipping through the eye socket — avoiding the need for open skull surgery. The patient, Andrew Wood, 61, from Wakefield, had his blood vessel aneurysm treated via a small incision beside his eye. A custom 3D-printed model of his skull was made so the team could rehearse beforehand. He spent one night in hospital and was back at work within weeks. The team — consultants Asim Sheikh, Kenan Deniz and Jiten Parmar — say the technique could change how these cases are treated nationally. (Sources: Leeds Teaching Hospitals · BBC News)

⚠️ Botulism warning after Leeds-area botox cases - The UKHSA has issued an alert after suspected botulism cases in the Leeds area were linked to cosmetic botox procedures. Symptoms include severe drooping eyelids, double vision, difficulty swallowing and slurred speech. Anyone who has recently had a cosmetic procedure and is experiencing symptoms should contact NHS 111 or go to A&E. Always use a licensed practitioner. (Source: BBC News)

🏘️ HOUSING

🚪 Ripon mum evicted two days before ban - and a Leeds letting agent says there's nothing left to rent - Lindsey Reeves, 42, and her four children were served a Section 21 no-fault eviction notice just two days before the new Renters' Rights Act banned the practice on 1 May. They must leave their flat by July. When they tried to find somewhere new, they found nothing available — a picture confirmed by Ann MacAlevey, owner of Leeds-based Intercity Accommodation Agency, who has operated in the city for 40 years. She says nothing has been available to let since last September. Savills data shows a 14.3% fall in available rentals in Yorkshire and Humber between 2024 and 2026. (Source: BBC News)

🎭 ARTS & CULTURE

🎸 ¡Forward, Russia! reunite - two nights at Brudenell, February 2027 - Seminal Leeds band ¡Forward, Russia! are back, marking the 20th anniversary of debut album Give Me a Wall with live shows in February 2027. They'll play two nights at Brudenell Social Club in Leeds (19 and 20 February), plus Glasgow and London. A 20th anniversary vinyl reissue and rarities collection are also announced. Tickets via brudenellsocialclub.co.uk. (Sources: Clash Music · NME)

🎭 Makebeth: Leeds Playhouse cardboard Shakespeare at Middleton - Leeds Playhouse's Community Tour brings Makebeth - an interactive cardboard craft-a-long retelling of Macbeth for families — to Middleton Parochial Hall on Saturday 23 May (2:30pm and 6pm). Audiences aged 7+ help make the props, costumes and set during the show. Tickets at leedsplayhouse.org.uk. It then moves to the Playhouse itself 27–30 May. (Source: South Leeds Life)

👶 HALF TERM (23–31 MAY)

🎡 Kids Carnival at White Rose — free entry, 21–31 May - The Kids Carnival returns to The Village at White Rose from Thursday 21 to Sunday 31 May - free to enter, rides via tokens (£1.20 each or 10 for £10). Dodgems, Runaway Train, Twister, Teacups, Fun House and more. A Quiet Morning (rides without music) runs on Tuesday 26 May, 11am–12pm. Open 11am–9pm weekends and school holidays; 3pm–8pm weekdays. (Source: South Leeds Life)

🌿 Leeds Museums half-term: free trails, owls, gnomes and beans - Highlights from the free and low-cost half-term guide (23–31 May): Conservation trail at Tropical World; Love Your Zoo Week at Lotherton; Petals and Poisons trail at Kirkstall Abbey (pay what you can); Gnomes Sweet Gnome at Abbey House Museum; Find Your Happy at Temple Newsam; Everyday Heroes at Leeds Discovery Centre (free, booking required); Story Explorers: Whale Tales at Leeds Libraries (free, 26 and 29 May); Bean Planting at Temple Newsam Estate (free, 27–28 May, booking required); Leeds City Museum Choir at Kirkstall Abbey, Friday 29 May 2:30pm (pay what you can). Full guide at news.leeds.gov.uk. (Source: Leeds City Council)

👥 COMMUNITY

🦛 Armley's hippo mural under threat from new shop plan - A planning application has been submitted for a new shopfront on an empty retail unit at Armley Town Street at the junction with Branch Road — the site of the beloved hippo mural created by King Monk Studio. The application describes the mural as an "obtrusive" feature that would be removed. The unit would be split in two for smaller businesses at lower rents. Planners refused a similar application in March. (Source: West Leeds Dispatch)

🏏 Burley Park's new cricket wicket — 18 months in the making - After an 18-month community campaign, Burley Park has a new artificial cricket wicket, funded via Wades Charity and the Yorkshire County Cricket Club Charitable Youth Trust. The old one had lasted 15 years. Already in heavy use by local residents. (Source: West Leeds Dispatch)

👩‍🏫 Farsley Westroyd Primary wins National Healthy Schools Standard - Farsley Westroyd Primary and Nursery has been awarded the National Healthy Schools Standard, recognising two years of whole-school work on its PSHE curriculum, emotional wellbeing, physical activity and healthy eating. (Source: West Leeds Dispatch)

🪧 Welcome to Leeds sign: work finally under way - The long-neglected Welcome to Leeds sign on Dewsbury Road (at M621 junction 3) is being restored. Coun Paul Wray confirms weed removal and initial jet washing have started. Expected cost: around £3,000, funded through sponsorship. (Source: Yorkshire Evening Post)

🥦 HEALTH

🥦 Just One More veg campaign - make your pledge by 26 June - Leeds Rhinos Foundation has joined the city-wide Just One More campaign, encouraging everyone in Leeds to add one extra portion of vegetables to their daily meals. Runs until Friday 26 June. Pledge at foodwiseleeds.org/vegpledge. (Source: Leeds Rhinos Foundation)

🏛️ PLANNING

🚸 Horsforth School footpath to be diverted for pupil safety - Leeds City Council has approved in principle a diversion of a public footpath running through the Horsforth School site between Church Lane and Hall Park Avenue, on safeguarding grounds. A Public Path Diversion Order will be advertised; if no objections, it will proceed. (Source: West Leeds Dispatch)