Manjit Kaur cooking in her Kirkstall Road kitchen.
A popular Kirkstall Road street food restaurant is set to close its doors due to rising costs – despite being ‘busier than ever’.
Manjit’s Kitchen opened on Kirkstall Road, Burley, in October 2019 and is the second Leeds restaurant owned by Manjit Kaur, which she runs with her husband Michael Jameson.
But Manjit today announced the Kirkstall Road business will close its doors to the public at the end of April as she ‘looks for a new home and new partnerships’.
Manjit wrote: “We have made the difficult decision to close our restaurant on Kirkstall Road. I am very sorry to all this will affect.
“The rising costs of everything has caught up with us. Our lease is up for renewal and it is time for us to look for a new home and new partnerships.”
Manjit said that the 20% per cent VAT charge on hospitality and other rising costs had made running the restaurant “impossible”.
She added: “We are busier than ever but we cannot keep up with the rising costs.
“We will trade until the end of April, we will bow out gracefully. We will host some farewell parties, we thank everyone who has visited and supported over the years. Do come and say your goodbyes.
“We hope we leave our little corner of Burley better than we found it. Manjit’s Kitchen at Leeds Kirkgate Market will remain open as usual.
“Thank you and goodbye for now.”
In an interview with WLD in 2020, Manjit has always had a passion for cooking and food and used to help her granny cook. She said:
“IN OUR RELIGION, WE GO TO THE TEMPLE QUITE OFTEN AND SIT AROUND AND EAT TOGETHER. THIS IS A SOCIAL GATHERING, FAMILY TIME AND EATING TOGETHER IS VERY IMPORTANT.”
Vandals have smashed the windows of two buses while they were carrying passengers in the Farnley area, causing evening services to be suspended.
Due to anti-social behaviour, both the 42 and 15 bus services from 7pm are suspended by operators FirstBus.
Two electric buses, operated by First, had their windows smashed this week after objects were thrown at the vehicles on successive nights. No-one is believed to have been injured.
A spokesperson for First Leeds branded the attack as “mindless vandalism” and said: “We are relieved that no-one was hurt or injured as a result of this incident. The young people involved need to understand the worst that could happen and end this mindless vandalism and damage to our buses.
“The safety of our staff and customers is our highest priority and we are working closely with the police to investigate this incident including the use of on board CCTV footage to help identify the individuals. Such attacks can have very serious consequences and we would encourage anyone with information to contact the police or get in touch with Crimestoppers.
“Acts of vandalism cause significant interference to our timetabling arrangements and our service could be withdrawn for the rest of the day and evening or diverted away from the area concerned, disrupting the plans of customers who wish to make their regular journeys. Whilst every effort is made to get our vehicle back on the road the next day, sometimes it may be missing from service.”
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson confirmed officers are investigating CCTV footage in an effort to track down the culprits.
The 15 service is diverting via Butt Lane, Tong Road and Ring Road after 7pm. Service 42 is terminating at The Ring Road in Wortley.
The countdown begins! In two weeks’ time the Bramley Buffaloes will begin the new season with local bragging rights up for grabs as a trip to Farnley Falcons kicks the new campaign off in the Yorkshire Mens League Shield preliminary round.
The match will be played on the Farnley Sports Playing Field on Saturday, 23 March with a 2.30pm kick-off.
The division three league season starts with the Buffaloes welcoming New Earswick All Blacks ‘A’ to the West Leeds Rugby Union ground on Saturday 13 April. Two away matches follow for the “Buffs” with visits to Dodworth Mineres ARLFC on the 20th and Elland on the 27 April with all matches starting at 2.30pm.
Buffaloes offer physiotherapy experience and opportunity
Are you looking to gain some hands-on (excuse the pun!) experience as a match-day physio? If so, please contact coach@bramleybuffs.com. This is a perfect opportunity for you to increase your profile as a physio heading into the new season. If you are an emergency first aider level three or above then then please get in touch to register your interest.
An artists' impression of the proposed tram system. Image for illustrative purposes only
Plans for a £2 billion tram system running through parts of West Leeds to connect Leeds and Bradford have been set out today.
The proposals were published today ahead of the final Combined Authority meeting ahead of May’s Mayoral election of West Yorkshire’s leaders next week (March 14). It will see them agree a major step forward for the mass transit scheme. It is hoped that spades will be in the ground in 2028 when construction of the early stage of the project will begin.
Phase one would include two lines serving Leeds, The Leeds Line and the Bradford Line. The Leeds Line would take people between St James’ Hospital, through Leeds city centre and on to Elland Road and the White Rose Shopping Centre.
The Bradford Line would run from Leeds city centre to Bradford city centre and cut through West Leeds. No details of the exact route the line will take through West Leeds have been revealed but WYCA has confirmed it will also link Bradford Forster Square station with the new Bradford rail station.
A report to be considered by councillors next week says potential routes for both lines will be revealed in a public consultation this summer. The first phase of the new tram system is likely to be a £2bn+ investment, the report adds.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said: “Today is a key milestone in our plan to create a better-connected region that works for all. By setting out our plans to submit to government, we are taking a major step forward towards the biggest infrastructure project West Yorkshire has seen since the development of the motorways six decades ago.
“This will be transformational for the North, helping our communities to thrive and our economy to flourish – benefitting generations to come with greater opportunity and prosperity.
“We know that mass transit systems have successfully helped to regenerate areas right across the country by boosting connectivity, opportunity and prosperity – and we will work tirelessly to make sure that happens here in West Yorkshire.”
The Combined Authority will continue to work with local authorities to ensure that future phases of a mass transit network reach Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale, ensuring no part of West Yorkshire is left behind.
The submission of the Combined Authority’s “strategic outline case” document to the Department for Transport is set to be approved by members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on March 14. The document will then be sent by the Mayor to the government for approval to continue with the development of the scheme.
The project will be subject to a full business case and approvals process.
It will also work on a £1 million mass transit development fund to be set aside to support the Dewsbury Line Development Project, which will look into how to get mass transit to connect Kirklees with Leeds.
Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Mass transit will transform transport across our city and the wider region, helping to boost our economy and bringing our communities within easier reach of jobs and leisure opportunities.
“This is an important step forward in delivering mass transit, but there is still much to do and we are committed to working with the Combined Authority and our partners so this can be achieved for the benefit of people across West Yorkshire.”
The agenda for next Thursday’s meeting can be read here. The meeting will be heldCommittee Room 1, Wellington House, 40-50 Wellington Street, Leeds from 10am.
Kathryn Hanke (Leeds based actor portraying Betty Beecroft) and Beth Knight (Director) at the Betty Beecroft mural at Kirkstall Forge.
A musical celebration of the life of Kirkstall Forge legend, Betty Beecroft, is set to hit the boards in May in the world premiere of folk musical Mother of the Revolution.
The brainchild of Leeds-born Beth Knight, co-director of Archipelago arts collective, it will bring the untold story of the successful industrialist to life, along with those of the working communities that followed her.
The performance will interweave 275 years of history, celebrating the impact Betty Beecroft and the generations of industrial workers at Kirkstall Forge made to their local community.
Director, Beth Knight, said: “Using folk, the music of working people, we explore the themes of community, heritage and industry through an ambitious, promenade production at Leeds Industrial Museum. Importantly, much of the original script and score have been influenced through our conversations within the local community since 2021.
“The achievements of women need to be celebrated and this project shines a light on how an ordinary Yorkshire woman made an extraordinary change to the world around her. It is also a production that has been made possible thanks to the drive and creativity of a predominantly female team.
“Rosie MacPherson’s brilliant script platforms stories of workers in the 20th and 21st centuries and paints an honest picture of the impact of deindustrialisation on the area while showcasing the ingenuity, strength and compassion of working people in Leeds across multiple generations.”
The production set is being built with support from CEG, the developer behind Kirkstall Forge, and its capable team of learners at its Forging Futures training and skills campus. CEG is also sponsoring the community engagement and family outreach of the production, which will touch the lives of so many Kirkstall residents.
Taking you on an immersive journey across history through Leeds Industrial Museum in Armley, the production combines local professional actors, young performers from Interplay Theatre’s Youth Theatre and a community choir. Any local residents wanting to participate in the choir still have the opportunity to participate, with choir rehearsals running every Tuesday evening at Armley’s Interplay Theatre. Contact sean@archipelagoarts.co.uk to take part.
The production will take place on Thursday to Sundays between the 2 – 5 and 9 – 12 May at the Leeds Industrial Museum. Ticket sales launch on International Woman’s Day (Friday, 8 March 2024) via this link.
Fancy enjoying a free cuppa and an informal tour around Bramley Baths and its heritage exhibition?
A free coffee morning event is being held at the community-led leisure facility on Tuesday 12 March 10.30am-12pm, to thank the Baths’ supporters via the National Lottery Open Week initiative.
Nick Lalvani is the new volunteer co-ordinator at Bramley Baths.
The heritage exhibition at the Baths was supported by the National Lottery – and the Baths are also using the event to introduce their new volunteer co-ordinator Nick Lalvani, who will be launching a new volunteering programme.
Nick will be recruiting and managing volunteers in various roles to support the work of Bramley Baths.
Kayleigh Ingham, Commercial Director of First Bus North & West Yorkshire, Andrew Cullen, Cllr Peter Carlill and Megan Hope, Operations Director of First Bus North & West Yorkshire switch on’ West Yorkshire’s largest fleet of zero emission buses.
Photograph by Richard Walker/ImageNorth
First Bus is introducing the largest fleet of zero emission buses in West Yorkshire.
Directors today joined with senior officials from West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) to ‘switch on’ the £29m electrification of the Bramley depot in West Leeds.
A fleet of 57 all-electric buses is beginning to appear on the network in Leeds and due to be completed by the end of March.
Andrew Cullen, Managing Director of the operator’s North and West Yorkshire business, said: “Today marks another major step in the First Bus strategy to expand more zero emission buses into communities in West Yorkshire and the country, as part of our mission to reach a zero emission UK bus fleet by 2035.
“This is the beginning of a new future for the Bramley depot and part of our green transport revolution in Leeds.
“We’re proud to unveil these latest zero emission buses and are confident they will appeal to our customers and attract more people to consider bus travel by realising the real impact this has in reducing congestion, creating cleaner air and supporting the wider West Yorkshire economy.”
A third of the Bramley depot fleet will be zero emission by the end of March, with each bus saving around 60 tonnes of carbon a year. Buses have already been seen operating on the number 4 and 14 routes.
Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee Cllr Peter Carlill (Lab, Calverley & Farsley), added: “Work to electrify the Bramley bus depot is a huge step forward for the Combined Authority’s vision of a green, zero emission bus system for West Yorkshire.
“Having more of these buses on our roads will benefit areas affected by low air quality, as well as helping us to achieve our target of becoming a net-zero carbon region by 2038. It will encourage more people to use public transport, creating a greener and better-connected West Yorkshire.”
The Heliox Rapid 150 kW (kilowatt) chargers installed are capable of fully charging a bus in 2.5 hours. The total of 32 single-decker GB Kite Electroliners has been delivered with the first of 25 StreetDeck Electroliner double-deckers arriving this week. The buses are manufactured by Wrightbus in Northern Ireland with features including audio visual next stop technology and USB charging points.
The £29m transformation of the depot has been achieved with £16.4m investment by First Bus and funding of £12.6m secured in partnership with WYCA from the Department for Transport’s Zebra funding scheme.
Rachel Reeves MP, Cllr Alice Smart, Cllr Andy Parnham and Richard Banks accompanying Cllr James Lewis (Council Leader) and Cllr Jess Lennox (Exec Member for Housing) on a walkabout of the private housing in the Little Scotland area
Armley could be the latest area to benefit from a scheme which requires residential landlords to obtain a licence to let property to tenants.
Members of the council’s decision-making executive board will next week discuss proposals to extend a ‘selective licensing’ pilot scheme in Gipton and Harehills and Beeston & Holbeck wards to Armley, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, and Hunslet and Riverside wards.
The executive board report recommends councillors approve the development of potential business cases for all five wards and make a final decision at a future date.
The aim of selective licensing is to improve the quality of life for residents, ensuring a consistently high standard of management of private rented homes which, the council argues, makes a positive contribution to the area.
Anyone who is granted a selective licence will need to comply with certain conditions which aim to keep tenants safe, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, and ensure that properties are maintained to a satisfactory standard. The fee for a selective licence is £825 per property or unit of accommodation.
The council report – which can be read here – states 4,000 residents in Beeston and Harehills now live in better quality accommodation but acknowledges the Covid pandemic had affected the number of properties which could be inspected at the start of the scheme.
Councillor Alice Smart (Lab, Armley) welcomed moves to introduce the scheme in Armley. She said: “Rachel Reeves MP and the Armley Labour councillors welcome the news that a proposal to extend selective landlord licensing to Armley, will be brought to Exec Board this month.
“Ever since Leeds City Council rolled out a selective landlord licensing policy in other parts of the city, we have been campaigning for this policy to be introduced in Armley. We welcome the benefits this policy would bring to local renters, such as reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and ensuring that properties are maintained to a satisfactory standard.
“While many private landlord are operating in the right way, we know that there are some disreputable landlords in Armley which cause problems for local tenants. A selective landlord licensing policy will help us address these problems head on.
“We’re delighted that Leeds City Council have listened to us and the people of Armley and we look forward to continuing to work together to improve conditions for private renters.”
The executive board will meet at 1pm on Wednesday, 13 March in Leeds Civic Hall.
Farsley's Dave Syers stretches for the ball against Gloucester last April. Photo: John McEvoy
By John Baron
Former professional footballer Dave Syers has swapped his life as former captain at Farsley Celtic Football Club for a life of calculators and spreadsheets as a director at a Horsforth-based accountancy practice.
Starting his professional career at Bradford City and with stints at Harrogate Town, Doncaster Rovers, Scunthorpe United and Rochdale amongst others, former Farsley skipper Dave Syers retired from football after successfully helping The Celts avoid relegation last season and has joined as partner at accountancy practiceSyersMcGill.
The company has recently expanded their office in Horsforth and has a brand new office in Wetherby.
Dave has joined the team as director to support with business growth and to strengthen the services offered by SyersMcGill across all aspects of accountancy. He previously had seven years at a city centre accountancy firm.
Dave Syers is pictured left with partners Michaela McGill and Daniel Syers.
He said: “I really enjoyed my time in football. I had some real highs including promotions with Doncaster and Scunthorpe and being awarded player of the season with Bradford City.
“It’s no secret that a career in football is short and I always knew it wouldn’t be long term, so I started my ACA training contract in 2016. I was playing for Darlington at the time and became a chartered accountant in 2020 while at Farsley Celtic.
“After calling it a day at Farsley last May, I am really excited for this next chapter as director at SyersMcGill, although you’ll still find me at plenty of football matches at the weekends!”
SyersMcGill’s services span from book-keeping to corporation tax to tax planning and strategic counsel. Working collaboratively with their clients, they tailor their support to align with business objectives and requirements, delivering services efficiently and courteously.
An artist's impression of the new wetland area off Hough Side Road, Pudsey.
A drop-in session will be held in Pudsey tomorrow (Wednesday) to provide residents with more information about £50 million plans to decrease storm overflow discharges along Pudsey Beck.
As reported last year, Yorkshire Water have proposed a major scheme to improve the water quality of Pudsey Beck and reducing storm overflows that carry sewage wastewater into the beck.
The scheme will introduce a wetlands greenspace which will use plants to naturally treat storm wastewater on land previously earmarked for housing, off Hough Side Road.
In a letter to local councillors, a Yorkshire Water spokesperson wrote: “I am pleased to say the Hough Side (Pudsey Road) scheme is about to start and we are therefore holding a drop in session for members of the public to attend.
“They can come along to find out more and ask any questions they may have about this scheme or our wider works.”
The event is on Wednesday, 6 March at Pudsey Congs Cricket Club, Intake Road, and Yorkshire Water representatives will be available from 2.30pm-6.30pm.
Six projects are proposed, five of which will be installing or improving storm water storage at various locations. Farnley Ring Road, Dale Farm in Drighlington, Kent Road and Smalewell in Pudsey, and Thornbury in Bradford will all see new or improved storage to prevent overflows into Pudsey Beck.
The scheme was originally due to cost £36 million, but costs have risen to £50m.
Councillors in ‘inner’ West Leeds are being asked to green light £36,000 of improvements to revamp a multi-use games area (MUGA) in Stanningley Park.
Members of the Inner West Community Committee will next Tuesday decide whether to approve the grants to resurface and re-paint the lines at Stanningley Park MUGA, which is in need of improvements to encourage greater community use. The work will cost £54,000 in total.
Councillors are also being asked to approve a £10,876 grant towards a £108,000 project to revamp the tennis courts in Burley Park. The grant will be used to resurface and repaint the three courts and replace all net posts and nets, which will bring the courts up to a ‘very good’ standard. Fencing around the courts will also be replaced.
Other grants for consideration include:
Moorside Tenants and Residents’ Association, Bramley – £1,470 for rent.
Inner West Generalist Advice Service – £21,947 with a primary focus on empowering clients to improve their financial and emotional well-being, from outreach locations across the Armley, Bramley and Kirkstall wards.
Kirkstall Art Trail – £4,000
Kirkstall Festival – £8,000
Kirkstall School Transition Club – £2,215 to continue a transition group for those young people living in the Kirkstall area, that are in year 6 and will be transitioning into year 7.
The Conservation Volunteers – £8,241 to deliver 22 practical environmental action days with targeted health and wellbeing outcomes.
Friends of Armley and Gotts Park – £2,935 for community events in the park.
Armley Basketball Project – £7,620.
Bramley Youth Clubs – £1,200.
DAZL Bramley Dance Programme 2024 – £3,861 to run weekly creative dance sessions.
Interplay Theatre Trust – £12,450 for LS12 Creative Project, developing skills in theatre and film making.
Breeze in the Park Event 2024 – Inner West (Bramley, Armley, Kirkstall) – £11,400.
The Inner West Community Committee is made up of nine councillors from the Armley, Bramley & Stanningley and Kirkstall wards. All nine councillors are Labour. Next Tuesday’s meeting runs at The Eric Atkinson Centre in Wellington Gardens, Bramley and starts at 6pm. The meeting is open to the public and the full agenda can be found here.
