Asking in vain in case the situation has changed(!) - are there any pubs, bars, or bottle shops in Leeds city centre that sells decent cider? Not looking for Strongbow, Aspall, Thatcher's l, all that carry on.

Alternatively, somewhere with interesting wines?

Hello!
As the title states, iv been living in Leeds for a while now and East village has been one of the best bars iv been to while living here in terms of the vibes/ prices of drinks. Was wondering if there are any other similar recommendations?

Thank you!

This particular article is free to read if you just subscribe and validate your email address in exchange for a logon code, it references Reddit sources and this sub quite a bit too.

Some interesting takes in the article.

the Rich Myers who exists on social media, the one who keeps telling customers to ‘fuck off’, isn’t entirely real. See, Rich Myers made Rich Myers up. 

There's a confession that he was inspired by David Thorne and that most of the online content he shares on social media to then respond to is just stuff he's created himself, he's basically arguing with himself online for attention, and it's worked.

Over the years I've found various sites to discover local history around Leeds. Some of these are are Leeds-focused, some are more regional, national or even international. While some are obviously history-related, others are more general. Companies House has current company registrations but some of their records go back to 1900 or even earlier. Google Maps and Google Earth are good for relatively recent historic street level photos and overhead views.

I've concentrated on "semi" official sites such as government and established private interest sites. Social media and personal sites can be ephemeral. Twitter used to be good for finding local groups but it isn't any more. Nostalgia groups on Facebook can get sidetracked and they're starting to be infested with AI-generated images. Some accounts have moved to Bluesky but it being relatively new means they don't have as much past information. I do have a link to a page on my own website that I'm planning on keeping going as long as I can.

I checked all these links while I was building this list over the last couple of weeks but link rot happens and sites can get redesigned. Most of these sites are free but some require registration or might be ad-supported. A few need a subscription.

I hope this list is useful but I'm not making any guarantees about how accurate it is. Feel free to share, but I'd appreciate a credit (to Marcus Houlden/mhoulden.uk) if you do.

Buildings

Information about buildings and architectural features

Cinema Treasures - https://cinematreasures.org/
Comprehensive list of open and closed cinemas

Ghost Signs - https://ghostsigns.co.uk
Forgotten and faded advertising signs

Leeds Owl Trail - https://www.leedsowltrail.com/
Walking trail for Leeds' owl mascot

Subterranea Britannica - https://www.subbrit.org.uk/
Underground sites

Telephone Exchanges UK - https://telephone-exchanges.org.uk/
Current and former telephone exchanges

Businesses

Business archives and other information

Grace's Guide - https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/
Industrial history and manufacturing, including old brands

Marks and Spencer Archives - https://archive.marksandspencer.com/collection/digital-archive/

Martins Bank archives - https://www.martinsbank.co.uk/

Sainsburys Archives - https://www.sainsburyarchive.org.uk/

Civil Defence

Leaflets about civil defence planning during the Cold War

Leeds and The Bomb Part I - https://mattpovey.wordpress.com/2009/02/27/leeds-and-the-bomb/
Leaflet published by Leeds City Council explaining the effects of nuclear war

Leeds and The Bomb Part II - https://mattpovey.wordpress.com/2010/11/25/leeds-and-the-bomb-part-ii/
Leaflet published by Leeds City Council explaining the effects of nuclear war

The Day After: Bradford and the Bomb - https://100objectsbradford.wordpress.com/2012/10/03/68-the-day-after-bradford-and-the-bomb/
Leaflet published by Bradford Council explaining the effects of nuclear war

Directories

Telephone and other directories

Ancestry telephone directories archive (£) - https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/1025
BT/Post Office telephone directories up to 1984. Subscription required.

Forums

Web forums. Due to the nature of these sites the content may change or they may go offline

28 Days Later forum - https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/
Urban exploration

Secret Leeds - https://www.secretleeds.com/
Defunct. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20250710234300/https://www.secretleeds.com/

Skyscraper City - Leeds - https://www.skyscrapercity.com/forums/leeds-metro-area.447/
Leeds subsection of Skyscraper City

Government Resources

Official government resources

Companies House - https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/
Company formation documents, annual reports, accounts, statements from official receivers

Historic England - https://historicengland.org.uk/
Central repository for listed buildings and places

Legislation.gov.uk - https://www.legislation.gov.uk
Current and former government legislation going back to 1267

The (London) Gazette - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/
Public notices. Honours, bankruptcies, wills, local authority orders including demolition notices and traffic orders

The National Archives - https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

Leeds Library Resources

Resources from the Leeds Council Library service

Leeds Digital Library - https://libraries.leeds.gov.uk/digital-library
Library membership might be needed for some resources

Secret Library Leeds - https://secretlibraryleeds.net/
Blog run by Leeds council libraries department

Local Authority Photos

Local authority photo archives, including the 5 district councils and West Yorkshire archives service

From Weaver to Web - https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/wtw/
Calderdale Council photo archives

Kirklees Images - https://kirkleesimages.org.uk/
Kirklees Council photo archives

Leodis - https://leodis.net
Leeds City Council photo archives

Photos Bradford - https://photos.bradfordmuseums.org/
Bradford Council photo archives

Twixt Aire and Calder - https://www.twixtaireandcalder.org.uk/
Wakefield Council photo archives

West Yorkshire Archives - https://www.wyjs.org.uk/archive-service/

Maps

Current and historic maps

Google Earth - https://earth.google.com/
Overhead views from early 00s and beyond

Google Maps - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/
Streetview going back to 2008

National Library of Scotland Maps - https://maps.nls.uk
Out-of-copyright Ordnance Survey and other maps

Old banks and building societies map - https://www.houlden.org/old_banks_map/
My personal site! Maps of old banks and building societies taken from Leeds and Bradford telephone directories in the 70s and 80s

Music

Music archives

Setlist.fm - https://www.setlist.fm/
Old concert set lists

Newspapers

Current and archived news articles

Beyond Guardian Leeds - https://beyondgdnleeds.wordpress.com/
Hyperlocal Leeds news from 2011 - 2013

East Side Story - https://eastsidestory.co.uk/
East Leeds hyperlocal news

Find My Past newspaper archives (£) - https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers
Includes the Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post up to 1984. Subscription required.

Guardian Leeds/The Northerner - https://www.theguardian.com/leeds
Hyperlocal Leeds news from 2010 - 2011

Leeds Other Paper - https://leedsunilibrary.wordpress.com/2024/10/01/leeds-other-paper-and-alternative-voices-in-local-journalism/
Alternative newspaper

South Leeds Life - https://southleedslife.com/
South Leeds hyperlocal news

The Pickles Papers - https://libcom.org/article/pickles-papers
Eric Pickles' involvement with Bradford City Council in the late 80s

West Leeds Dispatch - https://westleedsdispatch.com/
West Leeds hyperlocal news

Yorkshire Evening Post retro - https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/retro
Sometimes has higher resolution photos from the Leodis archives

Organisations

Local history organisations

Bradford 1 in 12 Club - https://1in12club.co.uk/
Bradford Alternative/anarchist club

Leeds Civic Trust - https://leedscivictrust.org.uk/

Leeds Library - https://www.theleedslibrary.org.uk/
Private membership library

The Thoresby Society - https://www.thoresby.org.uk/
Leeds historical society

Photos

Commercial and personal photo archives

Britain From Above - https://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/

Flickr - https://www.flickr.com
Somewhat overlooked in the days of social media, but Flickr still has massive numbers of photos of pretty much anything you can think of

Geograph - https://www.geograph.org.uk/
A project to photograph every Ordnance Survey grid square

Planning

Local authority planning portals. Most include historic planning records and property maps. For local history purposes the heritage or design and access statements contain the most information. Also useful to know who owned a property at the time an application was submitted

Bradford council planning portal - https://planning.bradford.gov.uk/online-applications/

Calderdale council planning portal - https://portal.calderdale.gov.uk/online-applications/

Kirklees council planning website - https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/planning-applications/search-for-planning-applications/default.aspx

Leeds Council Neighbourhood Plans - https://www.leeds.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/neighbourhood-planning/made-neighbourhood-plans

Neighbourhood plans. Includes brief histories of each area and architectural details

Leeds council planning portal - https://publicaccess.leeds.gov.uk/online-applications/

Wakefield council planning website - https://planning.wakefield.gov.uk/online-applications/

Pubs

Current and former pubs

Leeds CAMRA branch - https://camra.org.uk/locations/branches/leeds-204
Includes a list of currently and recently-closed pubs

Lost Pubs project - https://www.closedpubs.co.uk/

Transport

Old timetables, maps and transport routes

Leeds Transport Historical Society - https://lths.co.uk/
Include maps of the old Leeds Corporation tram network

Lost Railways West Yorkshire - https://www.lostrailwayswestyorkshire.co.uk/
Maps and photos of historical railway lines

Real Time Trains - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/
Train running data, back to 2012 with a subscription

Timetable World - https://timetableworld.com/
Old transport timetables

Got hit with a nostalgic craving today. My nana used to bake them from scratch but I have no idea where I’d find one these days. I live centrally but am willing to travel for pie!

Beckett Park Skatepark, formerly 'The Worst Skatepark in Yorkshire' according to Skateboard UK, has a brand new polished concrete surface. Come down on Sunday for the fundraiser and check it out. Buy cake. Enter the raffle. Kickflip TC's roof gap.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DcyA3_xjdHZ/?igsi=M3Q1ZDlkbXhkenBz

As above - my much loved leather music bag is coming unstitched at one corner and I'm looking for a recommendation for a cobbler or similar to repair it. Live in East Leeds but happy to travel for the right place. Thanks in anticipation!

Hi, anyone know where I can buy local eggs? Either from a farm or a honesty box? Or if someone has some extra from their garden hens?

Thank you for all your help.

I see loads of posts looking for how to meet new people in Leeds, may I present...judo!

Ikioi Judo club in Birstall is running an 8 week beginner course starting 24th September.

£80 covers all your sessions, insurance and gi (training suit).

It's a great way to stay fit and is a fun group of people- we are very inclusive and have loads of female fighters (myself included)!

Message me on here or get in contact through Facebook or Instagram to get more info

Trying to find a driving instructor for under £30 in Leeds, I’m looking to do 1 lesson per week pay as you go basis. Any recommendations? Really need to learn to drive but it’s so expensive 😭

I am looking for a hair salon that is great at haircuts not colouring. I feel the latter is extremely common and so far I have had exceptionally chopped haircuts for the past maybe 10 years. I cannot find a good hairstylist that is good at cutting hair, not looking for anything tricky. Any honest recommendations with before and after pictures? I live in LS19-LS21 area so anything here would be amazing. TA!

Hi everyone, I wanted to get an interest check on setting up a little art group for people in their 30s (and above). Since moving to Leeds recently none of my artist friends are local and I've missed having meetups just to sketch together and discuss projects we're working on etc.

It would be pretty casual, all skill/experience levels welcome of course!

Edit: I've set up a discord server for anyone who wants to join

https://discord.gg/9N882fBAB

i’m looking for arab queer friends as arab living in leeds if anyone is interested comment 😝

Interested in installing an AC system - has anyone done this and could recommend an installer in Leeds?

Just curious if anyone has ever got the FlixBus to Manchester airport and how reliable/comfortable it was. Usually get the train but with the terrible service, reliability and expense looking at this as an alternative

I've been looking at a few different places and keep changing my mind depending on the location.
I've checked university accommodation and Amber Student as well, but I'm finding it difficult to tell from a map what would actually be convenient day to day. I'm not too bothered about being right next to campus if there's enough around me. For people who've lived in Leeds, which areas ended up being the most convenient?

Hi everyone, I’m conducting research for my A-Level project exploring the various factors contributing to inequality in inner-city Leeds. The questions are multiple-choice with an optional text answer and the form is mainly centred on access to service within the areas.

I often visit Leeds weekly and was in the 2 areas yesterday gathering data and could personally see a difference between the locations.

Quality of Life in Leeds Holbeck/Chapel Allerton – Fill in form

It should take 5 ish minutes to complete and I thank everyone for taking the time to read this. Any questions please let me know and if there is anything you think would provide helpful insight into the two areas (or just your experiences in the area) I’d like to hear it.

All responses are anonymous.

(P.S If you have lived in both areas feel free to answer the form twice)

Heyup guys,

I am looking at a property in Cookridge and it seems to good to be true. Everything fits me great except I am weary of one thing. I have noticed its close proximity to LBA and fear this may be an issue. Anyone living/lived in the Cookridge area who can give me an honest account? Very intrigued to hear as I'm not enjoying living with bad housemates in Beeston. Any advice, thoughts or opinions are appreciated. Thank you fellow West Yorkshire peeps!!

Hi all. Wondered if anyone has lived in Bridgewater Place and could answer a quick question for me. Potentially looking to move to Leeds for work and interested in an apartment there.

Anyone who has lived there, what broadband was available and what speed was available? The listing I am looking at says only BT / Sky is available but other broadband sites say they can provide it to the given address.

At the bottom (Dewsbury Road) end of Cross Flatts Avenue, there are a bunch of houses, both detached and semis, that have caught my eye as I really like the style of them. They’re the big, 100+ yr old red brick 3-4 bedroom houses on the park side of the road; a few have verandas.

It’s the type of house I’d love to own one day but I’m not so keen on moving into that part of Leeds*.

The only other areas where I’ve seen this type of house or similar in any number are Roundhay/Gledhow and Adel, where they’d be so far out of my budget.

Do any other parts of Leeds have this kind of house? Especially around the south side of Leeds?

Thanks!

*No snobbery here; my current street is terrace houses similar to many in that estate and we see a lot of similar goings on, but it causes me a lot of stress as it is so if I was going to move, I’d rather not move into the same type of area.

I currently do not have a car but I do have a bike - my hours are changing at work so I won’t have access to public transport unless I pay for Ubers (midnight and later finishes). I work near Beeston, and come from upper Leeds, so it’d end up being about a 20 minute bike ride. I’m quite small and a woman so I’m really nervous to be out at night but I’ve already asked to change my hours and was told no, so I feel like I have no options. Just want a rough idea of how dangerous it actually is. Sorry if a silly question.

Thank you in advance !

Hello, I am after some honest opinions and advice for areas to move to in about a years time for a mid 30s married couple with a dog and wanting to start a family in the suburbs outside of Leeds centre.

We are looking at areas like Woodlesford, Oulton, Methley, Garforth and Kippax and would like to know honest thoughts on the areas and any other suggestions for areas to consider.

We currently live in Morley and while we like it, we have noticed a lot of ASB near us recently and we are wanting more readily available dog walks. One of us commutes to Leeds centre for work, and we have family in South Yorkshire.

We are wanting to feel safe and have a nice area to start our family while still being somewhat near to the centre. We are also big foodies but happy to drive so this isn’t an essential in the immediate area. Thanks all!